LONDON — FerroAtlántica Group SA will cut silicon and ferrosilicon production in South Africa by 15,000 tonnes each amid difficult market conditions and a national energy-saving initiative, the company announced Wednesday, Dec. 12.

The Madrid-based producer will close three furnaces for five months starting in January 2013 and could make further production adjustments, depending on markets.

Two out of three furnaces at the company’s Polokwane plant in northeastern South Africa will be closed, as will one furnace at its Rand Carbide plant.

AMM sister publication Metal Bulletin understands that the closures have been agreed upon with Sandton, South Africa-based state power group Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., which has been asking ferroalloys suppliers to sell electricity back to the national grid amid concerns about generating capacity.

FerroAtlántica said that it remains committed to its industrial and mining activities in the South Africa.

A version of this article was first published by AMM sister publication Metal Bulletin.