South32 Ltd. halted operations at its Mozambique aluminum smelter, the second-largest facility in the southern hemisphere, after failing to secure a cost-effective power supply beyond the current month. The decision follows protracted negotiations with local energy providers, which collapsed due to disagreements over pricing and infrastructure upgrades. This move disrupts global aluminum supply chains, as the plant typically produces 1.2 million metric tons annually, accounting for 5% of Africa’s output. Power costs in Mozambique have surged by 30% since 2020, driven by aging grid infrastructure and rising fuel prices, crippling energy-intensive industries like mining.