However, at least two sell-side sources for Australian metallurgical coal said they had received the notice Thursday. Sources said the measure was also understood to have been extended to iron ore supplies. In the notice sent to the sellers and seen by Platts, ArcelorMittal Sourcing said that "unavoidable" lockdown measures taken by governments and administrations in Europe, together with measures taken by the company to protect employees had triggered "severe disruptions of operations at ArcelorMittal sites" and that it was "unable to provide an estimate of when it will be able to overcome the effects of the Force Majeure Events." This was preventing, affecting or delaying the steelmaker from performing its obligations under certain contracts, according to the terms of the letter. ArcelorMittal declined to comment Thursday. However, the company announced separately early Thursday it intends to cut its European steel production over and above 2019 reductions due to an excess of supply.