Reuters reported that Xstrata has switched off two chrome furnaces at its Rustenburg plant in South Africa to help power utility Eskom save power, but said on Monday that supplies to customers would not be affected.

Spokesman Mr Songezo Zibi said maintenance at the furnaces had been brought forward from its usual schedule in South Africa's June/July winter because the national grid is under particular strain right now due to unplanned outages at some of Eskom's power plants.

Mr Zibi said the lost production would be made up by higher output at some of its other smelters, some of which are around 30% more energy efficient than the Rustenburg ones.

He said “We will be able to meet customer demand because we have not reduced overall planned production.”

Mr Zibi said it was not clear yet how long the maintenance program would last.

(Sourced from Reuters) http://www.steelguru.com/stainless_steel_news/Xstrata_shuts_two_chrome_furnaces_in_South_Africa/250233.html