...March 30, 2020 SYDNEY (S&P Global Ratings) March 31, 2020--S&P Global Ratings said today that South32 Ltd.'s (###+/Stable/A-2) strong balance-sheet position provides it with a solid financial buffer to withstand the business interruption caused by a government-mandated 21-day closure to the company's certain South African operations. South32's South African manganese operations and export coal production from South Africa Energy Coal will be placed into care and maintenance for a minimum of 21 days due to COVID-19. The company's Hillside aluminum smelter and South Africa Energy Coal's domestic coal production will continue to operate during the lockdown because they are considered essential businesses for the maintenance of power generation. In addition, South32's Cerro Matoso nickel operations in Colombia will be partly affected by a 19-day nationwide shutdown, with operations continuing at a reduced rate. These business disruptions are occurring amid a weaker commodity price environment...
