Cerro Matoso, BHP Billiton's ferro-nickel subsidiary in Colombia plans maintenance at the No.1 blast furnace from September 2010 for six months.

This movement is for the purpose of expanding capacity. The annual production of its existing two blast furnaces is 55,000 tons.

After the overhaul, the capacity will be increased by 10 percent. Besides, the ferronickel production will be reduced by 14,000 tons during the six months of overhaul period.