[Ferro-Alloys.com]Assmang’s conversion of ferrochrome furnaces to manganese alloy furnaces is largely completed. Furnaces #2 and #5 at Machadodorp Works have been commissioned, and furnace #3 was commissioned at the end of January 2013. However, not all the converted furnaces are operating and, due to market conditions, only about 1.5 furnaces are expected to operate continuously in the foreseeable future. The early work to expand the Black Rock manganese mining operations from 3-million mtpy to 4-million mtpy was approved and has commenced. In 2012, the mine produced about 3.5-million mt but that output level could not be sustained without capital improvements. The project involves the possible upgrade of the existing Nchwaning 2 shaft as well as a new shaft complex. The feasibility study to expand the mine further from 4-million mtpy to 5-million mtpy is progressing and will be reviewed by the Assmang’s board during the next six months.