‘Very sad day’: More than 200 jobs gone after sudden closure of Australia’s only manganese smelter
Hundreds of jobs have been lost following the immediate shuttering of Australia’s only manganese smelter.
Liberty Bell Bay, located in George Town in northern Tasmania, was ordered to close on Thursday by administrators after it failed to attract a buyer, despite a “tireless” effort to secure a serious offer.
More than 200 people were employed at the smelter. Liberty Steel Group
Administrator EY-Parthenon said it had entered into an agreement with a consortium to acquire the smelter.
However, that deal fell through this week.
“In the absence of both a commercially viable transaction, and the funding required to continue operations, the administrators have made the difficult decision to commence the orderly closure of the business with immediate effect,” EY-Parthenon said in a statement.
“These difficulties were, in part, driven by the broader economic challenges associated with operating the smelter in a volatile global economy.”
Employees were told early on Thursday that their jobs had been made redundant, effective immediately.
More than 200 people were employed at the smelter.
A small workforce will remain on site to safely demobilise the site.
The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) said the news of a failed takeover had come as a shock to workers.
“We have fought hard alongside our members over many months to keep Australia’s only manganese smelter operating,” a union spokesperson said.
“We will help members access their entitlements and keep fighting for state and federal support for our members, their families and their community.”
The union has called for the government to intervene and support impacted workers. Liberty Steel Group
The union has called on the state and federal government to intervene to resume the sales process.
“These workers have made an immeasurable contribution to the Tasmanian economy, and deserve full wrap-around support from state and federal government,” the MEU spokesperson added.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres said it was a sad day for communities in the region.
“Workers, unions, local businesses, EY and all levels of government have worked tirelessly these past few months towards finding a serious buyer for the smelter,” they said in a joint statement.
“This is deeply difficult news for the workers of Liberty Bell Bay and the communities of Bell Bay, George Town and northern Tasmania who have fought tirelessly for a better outcome.
“Both the Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments are now focused on ensuring workers and their families are supported during this time, with immediate on-ground support now available.”
The Tasmanian and federal governments had stumped up almost $10 million in wage support during the protracted administration process and said they had offered $20 million for a start-up package.
The smelter had been in operation since the 1960s and was bought by Liberty Steel Group, owned by parent company GFG Alliance, in 2021.
The site was Australia’s only manganese smelter. Mining and Energy Union (MEU)
It hit troubled times in May 2025 after shutting down due to price volatility and disruptions to ore supply.
Workers had remained in their jobs over the past 14 months as administrators attempted to find a buyer.
Liberty Bell Bay smelter was Australia’s only manganese smelter.
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