South32 Smelter Halt Risks 37,000 Jobs in Mozambique, Lobby Says

The possible closure of South32 Ltd.’s aluminum smelter in Mozambique, the second-largest in the southern hemisphere, could put about 37,000 jobs in jeopardy and wipe out nearly a third of the the nation’s exports, a local business lobby group warned.

The company said this month it may close the plant near the capital, Maputo, in March, when its electricity purchase deal expires, as it hasn’t been able to negotiate an acceptable agreement to replace it.