However, this positive expectation is counterbalanced by lower price-linked royalties, complicating the financial outlook for the mining giant. Notably, the company saw a 3% decrease in half-year saleable manganese production from South Africa, totalling around 1.082 million wet metric tons. This reduction can be linked to decreased reliance on higher-cost trucking options and a decision to temporarily shut down operations at its Wessels mine amid weaker market conditions. Nonetheless, South32 is maintaining its full year production guidance of about 2 million wet metric tons for manganese ore from South Africa while it continues to "monitor and respond to market" conditions. Its South African aluminium operations at Hillside raised saleable production by 1% to 362 000 tons in the half year period to December "as the smelter continued to test its maximum technical capacity, despite the impact of load shedding".