ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) originally planned to close its long steel operations at its Newcastle and Vereeniging plants and put them on care and maintenance by the end of January, but the plan has been postponed to the end of February.

The closure of the long steel business will directly affect Newcastle and Vereeniging Works and ArcelorMittal Rail and Structures (AMRAS), and will also cause unemployment among local workers. 

In this regard, AMSA continues to discuss with the government a plan to prevent the closure. The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited (IDC) has decided to provide 380 million rand in shareholder loan funding support. 

AMSA said it will announce the progress of its long steel business in the second half of February.