Chinese mining company Shougang Hierro Peru suspended operations following the collapse of part of its dispatch infrastructure at its shipping port. The incident caused a stockpile of iron ore and halted shipments, prompting the company to declare force majeure, citing circumstances beyond its control that prevented it from fulfilling contracts.

Repairs to the damaged equipment are expected to take four to five months, as replacements must be manufactured in China. During the suspension, employees will be granted their pending vacation time.

Last year, Shougang produced 13.1 million tons of iron ore and reported US$1.69 billion in sales, according to Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines.