On Wednesday, February 18, Japan's Sumitomo Corporation announced that its Ambatovy nickel-cobalt project in Madagascar remains shut down after Tropical Cyclone Gezani struck the island, causing damage to facilities.
In a statement, the company said that operations were immediately suspended as a safety precaution once the cyclone's path became clear. It added that a detailed assessment of the damage, including equipment condition and the impact on earnings, is currently underway.
Sumitomo stated that it will work to quickly determine the extent of the damage and collaborate with all relevant parties to take appropriate measures for recovery and reconstruction.
A company spokesperson said that the restart date has not yet been determined, adding that assessing the damage is expected to take several weeks.
According to Mysteel, as of February 24, staff at the project have gradually returned to their posts, and operations are expected to resume progressively.
The Ambatovy project is jointly owned by Sumitomo Corporation and Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation (KOMIR), with its main product being nickel briquettes. It produced approximately 30,000 tonnes in 2025. According to the company's previously announced production plan, the production for the first half of 2026 is projected to be between 17,000 and 18,000 tonnes.
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
