Magnitude 7 Metals in New Madrid County is closing its doors for foreseeable future

MARSTON, Mo. — Magnitude 7 Metals is closing its doors, at least for the foreseeable future.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Jan. 24, to the 400-plus employees, the company announced it was curtailing operations over the next three to five days.

Greg Lester, a spokesman for Mag 7, provided the following statement from the company:

“Due to abnormally cold weather, operations have been severely impaired to the point where they cannot be restored while running. These business circumstances were not reasonably foreseeable and outside of our control.”

The company’s statement noted various groups have toured the plant recently as the company has sought investment capital.

“We will continue that journey and look for ways to restart the smelter in the future,” the company statement continued. “Most employees will not be required after Jan. 28.”

The company ended its statement asking employees to complete their work for an orderly curtailment of operations. It also offered its thanks to the workers.

In May 2021, the aluminum rod mill which was once part of the former Noranda Aluminum Plant was purchased by the Alubar Group, a Brazilian-based manufacturer. The production of aluminum rods restarted with the first aluminum rods produced on Jan. 18, 2022.