Production of raw materials needed for Hurricane Michael recovery, resumes following storm

Active Minerals International (AMI), the world’s largest supplier of high-quality gel grade attapulgite and air-floated kaolins for tape joint compounds, paint and asphalt roof coatings, fibreglass production, rubber reinforcement and other industries, had all three manufacturing plants – located over a 300-mile area spanning Florida, Georgia and South Carolina – in the path of the biggest hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle in the last 150 years.

The kaolin plants in Gordon, GA and Aiken, SC resumed full plant operations yesterday to meet the supply, service, and quality needs of its customers. The Quincy, FL and Climax, GA attapulgite operations, the largest producers of high-quality gel grade attapulgite products, were hit by the full force of the Category 4 storm. There was no material damage to the plants and they stand ready to resume full production once power is restored and employees are able to mobilise, which is contingent on basic services reestablished in local communities and roadways are cleared.

Active Minerals’ strategic planning combined with Michael’s weakening strength, as it travelled across all of AMI’s mining and mineral processing operations, contributed to AMI’s prompt return to full functionality once public utilities restored electric power.

"Despite the short notice with the quickly developing storm, we activated controlled shutdowns to secure our operations and ensure our employees could be safe at home with their families,” said Dennis C Parker, AMI President. Our thoughts continue to be with all the people who suffered severe damage.”

Beginning earlier in the week, the company put its Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan into effect. This included:

• Filling all clay sheds to full capacity
• Maximising production and securing inventory of finished goods
• Securing sites to minimise damage from rain and wind
• Accelerating open orders to move them out before the storm
• Accelerating transfer of export orders to ports in time for shipment before the storm
• Notifying customers about the intended effects of AMI’s preparedness plans

Parker further expressed gratitude to the local communities in and around Quincy, Gordon, and Aiken for their efforts to prepare for the storm and their readiness to assist people in need.

The three plants ship products to overseas customers primarily through the Savannah, GA port, which was unaffected by the storm. However inland freight faces some difficult road conditions.

"Our Quincy and Aiken plants supply Min-U-Gel® and Acti-Min® products, which are key ingredients for the production of a wide range of construction materials – tape joint compound for gypsum dry wall, paint coatings, asphalt roof coatings, adhesives and sealants – which will be in high demand locally for rebuilding areas affected by Hurricane Michael and last month’s Hurricane Florence,” said Donna Kidd, AMI’s Vice President of Sales. "Active Minerals stands ready to immediately meet all our customers’ requirements – domestically and internationally – through this period of increased demand in the US.”

Customers with any concerns should contact Active Minerals International at +1-410-825-2920 or info@activeminerals.com.