Cannington fire to hit South32's output

Diversified miner South32 expects lower production from its Cannington mine in WA after an underground fire.

South32 has cut its full year production guidance for its Cannington mine in Western Australia after an underground fire damaged infrastructure and halted extraction.

The diversified miner now expects silver output from the mine to be nearly 13 per cent lower than its previous forecast at 16.5 million ounces in 2016/17, lead production down 17 per cent to 135,000 tonnes, while zinc output will be 13 per cent lower at 70,000 tonnes.

The company said it will carry out repairs over four weeks and will provide an update on the unit cost guidance in its March quarter production report later in April.