00:00Staff at Liberty Bell Bay waiting to find out when, or if, the manganese smelter will restart.
00:08The workers are very unsettled and anxious about the length of the production pause.
00:20The Tasmanian government yesterday said it was taking control of an ore stockpile bought by Liberty Bell Bay using a state government loan.
00:27It says the loan was conditional on the smelter restarting.
00:31Our views are very clear. They've let down the Tasmanian community, they've let down the workers, the suppliers, the contractors, and we're doing everything we can to provide that support.
00:42The best thing that could happen to Liberty Bell Bay now is we get an ownership change, an ownership change to someone who can invest in the property, that understands the value of the workforce, understands that that site actually has a really positive future.
00:54GFG Alliance says negotiations are continuing with the Steel International Trading Company, which is planning to lease the smelter.
01:02GFG claims the Georgian-based company would ensure the operation is viable.
01:07They have been on site looking at the Bell Bay facility, so that does send a message to us that they have a genuine interest.
01:18As the nation's only manganese smelter, there are concerns about future steel production in Australia if it doesn't restart.
01:26We'll have and make assessments around what is required in terms of critical manuals and production here in Australia, continuing to work with the private sector.
01:34An industry teetering on the edge.
Comments