A sense of unease has settled over Newcastle following ArcelorMittal South Africa’s announcement of its intentions to wind down operations of its Longs Business in the town.
As reported by Newcastillian News on Monday, 1 September 2025, the company issued an internal memorandum to its staff on Friday, 29 August 2025, outlining its plans to begin the necessary preparatory steps towards the potential closure of the Longs Business.
Although ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) initially refrained from making any public statements, the company broke its silence on Tuesday, 2 September 2025.
Tami Didiza, Head of Corporate Communications at AMSA, confirmed that despite extensive efforts over several years, no sustainable solution has been secured to guarantee the future of the Long Steel Business beyond the current deferral period, which ends on 30 September 2025.
Expanding on the matter, Didiza stated, “Throughout this period, the Company has worked closely with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), government, and other stakeholders to explore every possible strategic option. Unfortunately, no solution has been concluded as yet. As a result, the Newcastle blast furnace has been placed into temporary care and maintenance, and the Company is now taking preparatory steps towards the potential closure of the Long Steel Business. This includes communication with employees and, if required, the issuing of notices in terms of the Labour Relations Act.”
With thousands of Newcastle-based families now facing an uncertain future, Didiza stressed that ArcelorMittal South Africa deeply regrets the circumstances that have led AMSA to this point.
“We recognise the profound impact this uncertainty has on our employees, their families, our suppliers and our customers, and the communities that have grown around the Long Steel Business. We remain committed to treating all affected stakeholders with dignity and respect during this difficult period.”
In addition, Didiza highlighted that the Long Steel Business will continue trading until shortly after the conclusion of the deferral period. “Importantly, the Flat Steel Business remains fully operational and continues to serve customer requirements,” he concluded, noting that AMSA would provide further updates at the appropriate time.
For the thousands of employees whose livelihoods now hang in the balance, the announcement casts a long shadow over the future. Families that have relied on stable employment at AMSA for generations are now confronted with the harsh reality of uncertainty, while the local economy braces for potential ripple effects.
The emotional and financial strain on workers and their dependents is significant, and community support networks will be critical in the coming weeks as these families navigate the profound challenges posed by the possible closure.
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2 Responses
Why don’t they just close and get it over with..they are still holding on to the possibility of a 3rd party to safe Mittal..the workers are working under lots of strain and the work stand still due to broken machinery etc no maintenance is done on them as it costs money.. really our men are all drain and in a state because of the “possibility of a closure” really and in 6 months?????stress all over again,!!!flippen close now and be done!!!
AMSA words are hollow, they don’t give a damn about the lives they are destroying. Their management and the company should be held responsible to South Africa and at least sell the company to someone that can make it profitable