Mozambique?s government is doing ?everything that is required? to make sure that South32?s Mozal aluminium smelter stays open, mineral resources and energy minister Estevao Pale said on Monday.

The minister was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

Australia?s South32 said in December that it would place the Mozal plant under care and maintenance by March, incurring a $60 million one-off cost, after failing to secure a power deal with the government.

The company has been in protracted negotiations with the Southern African country?s government and power suppliers for years to reach an agreement for the smelter?s energ-intensive operations.