Mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd has reported minimal impact from a power disruption at its Bayside and Hillside aluminium smelters in South Africa.
BHP Billiton said today power was disrupted to its smelters for a short period last Friday because of "unprecedented snowfalls" in the northern KwaZulu Natal region in South Africa.
BHP Billiton said 20,000t of production could be lost at its Hillside smelter as the process of restoring production led to the closure of some pots. Hillside has an annual production capacity of 500,000t.
The Bayside operations returned to normal soon after the interruption, BHP said.