Due to the Brazilian government's ban, after Norsk Hydro announced on the market on October 3 that Alunorte had completely stopped production, aluminum prices rebounded and LME aluminum futures prices soared by 6.4%. Now the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment has lifted the ban and approved Norsk Hydrog to use the filter press technology to treat the bauxite waste.
The filter press technology extended the service life of the DRS1 mine, and the mine will resume 50% of operation. Hydro on the 6th said it resumed aluminum production.
In 2017, Alunorte produced 64 million tons of aluminum, accounting for 10% of global production outside China. Due to long-term government intervention, it has only operated at 50% capacity since February.
Hydro said it will continue to communicate with the government authorities to restore the full capacity of the aluminum plant. Restarting Alunorte also represented Hydro's joint venture Albras smelter could maintain 50% of the annual production capacity of 460,000 tons.
Norwegian industrial group Norsk Hydro restarts Alunorte 50% capacity
9 Oct 2018 14:01 reported by Vicky Wang
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