[Ferro-Alloys.com] 

Sumitomo cuts nickel output forecast in Madagascar due to system glitches

Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp on Monday slashed its output estimate of nickel at its Ambatovy project in Madagascar due to system glitches.

Sumitomo, which has been struggling to stabilize production levels and improve profitability at the Ambatovy project, now forecasts an annual nickel output of about 30,000 metric tons for the year to March 31, down from its November estimate of about 40,000 tons.

The company is not clear how soon the issue at the project will be resolved, an official said.

Sumitomo reported a 13% drop in April-December net profit, hit by lower prices of coal and base metals.

• [Editor:邢亚敏]