SYDNEY, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Australia's South32 Ltd S32.AX reported a first-half loss of $1.7 billion, largely due to writedowns of its manganese businesses.
South32 is highly exposed to markets for manganese as well as alumina, silver, nickel and coking coal - industrial mainstays hit hard globally in the wake of China's economic pullback.
Shares in South 32, spun off last year by BHP Billiton BHP.AX BLT.L , have shed about half their value since first trading in May.
The half-year loss compared with a pro forma profit of $339 million a year ago.