According to the association that represents the sector, Abrafe, only four of its 17 associates were still operative in the first week of February.
They are
Ferbasa (ferro-silicon and ferro-chrome producer);
Dow Corning (silicon metal);
Anglo American (ferro-nickel, ferro-manganese and ferro-niobium) and
CBMM (ferro-niobium).
The data illustrates the complex moment that Brazilian industry is going through, “a very grave, adverse scenario for electro intensive companies”, according to one industry source.
That is the widespread feeling among ferro-alloys producers in Minas Gerais state, most of which saw their 10-year contract with the power company Cemig expire on December 31, 2014.
Under that contract, the companies paid around 70 Brazilian Reals ($ 25.80) per megawatt (MW), according to sources.
But prices have soared as Brazil faces its worst drought in over 80 years, with energy being currently priced close to 400 Brazilian Reals ($ 147.38) per MW.
That was the level Cemig...
