Metals & Minerals Plants Along the Eastern Seaboard Brace for Florence

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--As the Eastern Seaboard prepares for what is being called the strongest storm to hit the Atlantic in decades, more industrial plants are planning on closing operations. As of Wednesday, the path of Hurricane Florence has shifted slightly south of Virginia, focusing on the Carolinas and now Georgia. Virginia appears to have been spared the brunt of the impact, but many are still evaluating the situation.

Industrial Info's researchers are tracking more than 500 Metals & Minerals mines and plants in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia.

Dominion Terminal Associates LLP's 22 million-ton-per-year coal terminal plans to close operations Thursday. NIBCO Incorporated's copper foundry in Stuarts Draft, Virginia, told Industrial Info no decision had been made at this time whether to close.

Many North and South Carolina coastal area plants and mines are not taking any chances. Liberty House Group's recently-restarted 750,000-ton-per-year steel wire minimill in Georgetown, South Carolina, was evacuated Tuesday. Vulcraft Incorporated's steel joist plant in Florence, South Carolina, plans to close Thursday. JW Aluminum Company's aluminum sheet mill in Goose Creek, South Carolina, has closed its doors and will remain closed until Saturday.

Nutrien Limited's 6 million-ton-per-year phosphate mining operations in Aurora, North Carolina, plans a partial closure starting on Thursday at 10 a.m.

Others in the path of the storm have decided to "hunker in place" or delay closure decisions until later in the week. Gerdau Ameristeel North America's long steel minimill in Charlotte, North Carolina, has shelters set up on site for employees so that production can continue this week. Alupress LLC's aluminum die-casting foundry in Laurens, South Carolina, and Century Aluminum's Mount Holly Aluminum Smelter in Goose Creek, South Carolina, also plan to remain open.

Many have told Industrial Info they are still monitoring the situation and will make a final decision on Thursday.

In the Weather Impact Update report, you will find details for storms in each global region and their potential impact on the industrial plants in each region.

Utilize the Current Natural Disasters widget to quickly visualize and assess the specific areas of impact, and link directly to the storm within the Disaster Impact Tracker to identify the plants and units potentially requiring disaster relief equipment and services.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. Follow IIR on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn. For more information on our coverage, send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.com or visit us online at http://www.industrialinfo.com/.