Tasmanian Community Affected by Smelter Closure

Emily Smith also wrote this article.

The topic is the mining and metals industry.

The article was published on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 4:30 pm.

Australia's only manganese smelter has closed down.

Here is a short summary:

The manganese smelter in Liberty Bell Bay is stopping work because administrators could not find a buyer.

Over 200 employees will lose their jobs, and this will affect the community in northern Tasmania.

What happens next?

An employment hub will open at the George Town Library to help the workers who lost their jobs.

Ben Manion is used to uncertainty, but the news about his workplace was still a shock.

Ben Manion has worked at Liberty Bell Bay, Australia's only manganese smelter, for 13 years.

The future of the facility and its 217 workers has been uncertain since May last year.

Ben Manion is one of 217 workers who lost their jobs at Liberty Bell Bay.

The smelter was put into voluntary administration earlier this year in the hope that a buyer would be found.

But when Mr. Manion joined a weekly phone call on Thursday morning, he received the worst possible news.

The administrators ordered the immediate closure of the business.

This will be a big hit for George Town, according to Mr. Manion.

Administrators were not able to find a buyer in time to keep Liberty Bell Bay open.

Despite his disappointment, Mr. Manion said he was somewhat relieved to have clarity.

Even though it's bad news, at least we know what's happening, he said.

Liberty Bell Bay has been struggling since May last year, especially since March.

A resident of George Town named Lisa says the area needs more jobs.

Lisa said the closure of Liberty Bell Bay would have a huge impact on the local community.

She hopes another business will fill the gap and employ locals.

Having jobs in the local community is really important, Lisa said.

George Town seems to be declining, which is a shame.

This is the end of an era.

Susie Bower from the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone said it was a disappointing day.

We were hopeful of a positive outcome, Ms. Bower said.

That did not happen.

Now, we need to support the employees and the supply chain.

Susie Bower says an employment hub will be set up for affected workers.

Some of the smelter's employees have been working there for four decades.

An employment hub will be set up at the George Town library to help affected workers.

We will help them through this process, she said.

Greg Kieser says there are projects in the pipeline for the region.

George Town Mayor Greg Kieser was equally disappointed.

This is the end of an era, he said.

But Cr Kieser said he was confident the community would move on from this situation.

The community has a robust pipeline of opportunities, including green electricity generation and green methanol plants.

New data centre assets will continue to make Bell Bay a thriving economic contributor.

The article was published on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 4:30 pm.

The article was updated on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 6:06 pm.

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