South32 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  |
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| Traded as | ASX: S32 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Metals Mining |
| Predecessor | BHP Billiton |
| Founded | 18 May 2015 |
| Headquarters | |
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Key people
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Karen Wood (Chair) Graham Kerr (CEO) |
| Products | Alumina Aluminium Copper Manganese Metallurgical coal Lead Nickel Silver Zinc |
| Revenue | $US 6.3 billion (2021) |
| $US 1.5 billion (2021) | |
South32 is a big company that digs up and processes different kinds of metals. Its main office is in Perth, Western Australia. The company was created on May 18, 2015, when it separated from another large mining company called BHP Billiton. South32's shares are traded on the stock markets in Australia, South Africa, and London.
Contents
What South32 Mines
South32 produces many important materials that we use every day. These include:
- Bauxite (used to make aluminum)
- Alumina (a processed form of bauxite)
- Aluminium (a lightweight metal)
- Metallurgical coal (used to make steel)
- Manganese (used in steel production)
- Nickel (used in batteries and stainless steel)
- Copper (used in wires and pipes)
- Molybdenum (used to strengthen steel)
- Gold (a precious metal)
- Silver (another precious metal)
- Lead (used in batteries)
- Zinc (used to protect other metals)
Where South32 Works
South32 has mining and processing sites in several countries around the world. These include Australia, South Africa, Mozambique, Colombia, and the United States. They also have investments in businesses in Brazil and Chile.
Australia Operations
In Australia, South32 runs several important sites:
- Australia Manganese: This includes the GEMCO mine on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory. South32 owns 60% of this operation, which mines manganese.
- Cannington Mine: This mine is located in Queensland, about 200 kilometers southeast of Mount Isa. It digs up silver, lead, and zinc.
- Illawarra Metallurgical Coal: Near Wollongong, New South Wales, this operation has two underground mines that produce metallurgical coal. South32 is planning to sell these mines to another group of companies.
- Worsley Alumina: Located in Worsley, Western Australia, this site includes a bauxite mine and a factory that turns bauxite into alumina. South32 owns 86% of this operation. Some of the alumina produced here is sent to South32's factories in Africa to be made into aluminum.
Brazil Operations
In Brazil, South32 is involved in:
- Mineração Rio do Norte: This is a bauxite mine near Porto Trombetas. South32 owns 33% of it.
- Alumar: This site near São Luís has an alumina factory (36% owned by South32) and an aluminum factory (40% owned by South32).
Chile Operations
- Sierra Gorda: This is a copper and molybdenum mine located near Calama. South32 owns 45% of this mine.
Colombia Operations
- Cerro Matoso: This site in northern Colombia mines and processes nickel. South32 owns almost all of it (99.94%).
Mozambique Operations
- Mozal: This is an aluminum factory in Maputo. South32 owns 47.1% of it.
South Africa Operations
In South Africa, South32 has several facilities:
- Hillside: This is an aluminum factory located at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Manganese Mines: South32 operates the Wessels underground mine and the Mamatwan open-pit mine, both located at Hotazel in the Northern Cape. These mines produce manganese.
- Metalloys: These factories are located at Meyerton, Gauteng and are used to process manganese.
United States Operations
In the United States, South32 is exploring new mineral sites:
- Hermosa: This is a potential mineral site located in the Patagonia mountains of southern Arizona.
- Ambler Metals: South32 owns 50% of this potential mineral site located in Alaska.
Past Operations
South32 has sold some of its operations in the past:
- TEMCO: This was a manganese factory in Georgetown, Tasmania. It was sold in January 2021.
- South Africa Energy Coal (SAEC): This operation included mines that produced thermal coal in South Africa. It was sold in June 2021.
