FACTBOX-Mines and plants hurt by low prices, high costs

Oct 29 (Reuters) - The global financial crisis and sharp falls in metals prices have forced several companies to abandon or put on hold their plans to bring new mines on-stream.

Some existing producers also have shut down or curtailed their output at mines and plants as high costs and low prices bite. Below are details of the major projects and facilities which have been affected in recent months, as well as other related news.

Oct 29 - Canadian mining company Baja Mining Corp (BAJ.TO) said it had delayed construction activities at the Boleo polymetallic project in Mexico, citing the ongoing financial turmoil. However, certain activities will continue.

Oct 29 - French mining group Eramet (ERMT.PA) said it would limit its nickel deliveries this year to 52,000 tonnes, versus a reported previous objective of 55,000 tonnes. Sales by the group's nickel business fell 29 percent, hit by the slide in prices as demand for stainless steel has declined.

Oct 29 - Sherritt International Corp (S.TO) said it would suspend about C$270 million in capital contributions to expansion work at Moa nickel operations in Cuba and its Fort Saskatchewan nickel refinery. It will also launch a review of its Ambatovy nickel project in Madagascar to rethink schedules and try to reduce costs.

Oct 29 - Australian miner Mirabela Nickel (MNB.TO) (MBN.AX), which aims to start production at its Santa Rita mine in Brazil by mid-2009, said it had decided to halt further exploration because of cash constraints.

Oct 28 - Kazakhstan's Kazakhmys (KAZ.L) said it had halted operations at three copper mines and stopped the Zhezkazgan copper smelter for maintenance. But an official said the company was not going to reduce full-year output below the 2007 level despite the output cuts.

Oct 28 - Canada's Breakwater Resources (BWR.TO) said it had decided to temporarily suspend operations at both the Langlois polymetallic mine in Quebec and the Myra Falls zinc-copper-gold mine in British Columbia.

Oct 28 - Aluminium Corp of China Ltd (2600.HK) (601600.SS) said it would cut capital spending by at least 20 percent in 2009 due to weak aluminium demand.