Venezuela's FMO iron ore mines at less than 10% of capacity

摘要

Mining and processing operations at Venezuela’s only iron ore producer, Ferrominera Orinoco, have been at much reduced rates reaching less than 10% of installed capacity, sources said Wednesday. According to unofficial numbers from unions, the company produced 3 million mt of iron ore in 2018. For comparison, the company produced around 7 million mt of iron ore fines in 2016 and 2017. Currently in 2019, operations are on hold. According to sources, most operations have been on hold since a strike started in September, which has not been resolved. The company had been producing at very low rates before the strike, affecting the country's hotbriquetted iron and steel sectors.