Hundreds of jobs have been lost following the immediate closure of Australia’s only manganese smelter.
Liberty Bell Bay, based in George Town in Tasmania’s north, was ordered to close on Thursday by administrators after it failed to attract a buyer despite “tireless” efforts to secure a serious offer.
More than 200 people worked at the plant. Liberty Steel Group
Administrator EY-Parthenon said it had entered into an agreement with a consortium to acquire the steel plant.
However, that deal fell through this week.
“In the absence of a commercially viable transaction and the lack of funding required to continue operations, the administrators have taken the difficult decision to commence the orderly closure of the business with immediate effect,” EY-Parthenon said in a statement.
“These difficulties were caused in part by the broader economic challenges associated with operating a smelter in an unstable global economy.”
Employees were told early Thursday that their jobs were being cut with immediate effect.
More than 200 people worked at the plant.
A small number of personnel will remain on site for the safe demobilization of the site.
The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) said news of the failed takeover came as a shock to workers.
“For many months we have fought hard with our members to keep Australia’s only manganese plant open,” a union spokesman said.
“We will help members access their benefits and continue to fight for state and federal support for our members, their families and their communities.”
The union called on the government to intervene and support the affected workers. Liberty Steel Group
The union called on the state and federal governments to intervene and restart the sales process.
“These workers have made an immeasurable contribution to the Tasmanian economy and deserve the full support of the state and federal governments,” the MEU spokesman added.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliffe and federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres said it was a sad day for the region’s residents.
“Workers, unions, local businesses, EY and all levels of government have worked tirelessly over the past few months to find a serious buyer for the smelter,” they said in a joint statement.
“This is very difficult news for the workers of Liberty Bell Bay and the communities of Bell Bay, Georgetown and northern Tasmania who have fought tirelessly for a better outcome.
“The Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments are now focused on providing support to workers and their families during this time, with immediate local support now available.”
The Tasmanian and federal governments have committed almost $10 million in wage support during the lengthy administration process and said they had offered $20 million for the start-up package.
The steelworks has been in operation since the 1960s and was purchased in 2021 by Liberty Steel Group, owned by parent company GFG Alliance.
It was Australia’s only manganese plant. Mining and Energy Union (MEU)
It fell on hard times in May 2025 after being closed due to price volatility and ore supply disruptions.
Workers have remained in their jobs for the past 14 months while administrators tried to find a buyer.
The Liberty Bell Bay smelter was the only manganese smelter in Australia.