FACTBOX-Restarts of idled mines and metal plants

Sept 3 - Encouraged by higher prices, some metal producers have started to reverse earlier cutbacks and project delays, prompted around mid-2008 by plunging demand. But for metals like aluminium, where more cuts are still needed, such moves come on top of on-schedule start-ups of new operations and threaten to keep those markets in surplus for longer than most. Some analysts are also concerned that zinc producers, who were fast to curtail output as demand slumped, might rush to reopen at current prices. Below details news on restarts of capacity previously idled by low prices and poor demand. Sept 2 - Privately held Noranda Aluminium Holding Corp said it would increase production immediately at its Gramercy alumina refinery in the United States and St. Ann bauxite mine in Jamaica. The company cited increased customer demand. The announcement was made a day after Noranda became sole owner of the operations after buying Century Aluminum's 50 percent stake. Sept 1 - Bosnia's Aluminij Mostar began returning to full production because of increased demand and the recovery of the metal's price on world markets. [ID:nL1620868] Aug 25 - Aluminium Corp of China Ltd <2600.HK> <601600.SS> said it had restarted 670,000 tonnes of alumina production capacity and 310,000 tonnes of aluminium capacity. [ID:nSHA49732] Aug 17 - Liberty Mines said it plans to restart production from the Redstone nickel mine near Timmins, Ontario by August 24. Mine has been on care and maintenance since end-October 2008. Aug 11 - Century Aluminum said it has recently recalled 28 employees to work 21 refurbished pots at its Hawesville, Kentucky primary aluminium smelter. The company had allowed some broken pots to go idle, but has now repaired them. [ID:nN11541619] Aug 10 - Mitsubishi Materials Corp <5711.T>, Japan's third biggest copper smelter, said it has returned to full production, becoming the first major Japanese firm to reverse cuts. But the company said the situation still required careful monitoring. [ID:nT48233] Aug 7 - HudBay Minerals said it may soon consider restarting the Chisel North zinc mine in Manitoba because of a recent rise in zinc prices. But the company said it needs to see more price stability before it makes the decision. [ID:nN07407244] Aug 4 - Zambia's Baluba copper mine, on care and maintenance since the end of last year, will resume operations in December. The government had initially said production would start in May. [ID:nL4474009] July 30 - Teck Resources said it will resume full production at its Trail, British Columbia zinc smelter due to recovering demand for the metal. [ID:nN30377095] July 16 - Horsehead Holding Corp says it will boost operations at its Monaca zinc smelter in Pennsylvania, by restarting a fifth furnace. Company said it is unclear whether it will be able to maintain higher production level for the remainder of the year. [ID:nWNAB8134] July 6 - Hydro Aluminium, the German unit of Norsk Hydro , said it will keep its large Neuss aluminium smelter open for the immediate future while a new German state aid plan for metal companies is assessed. Company said in April it would stop production in June. [ID:nL6311896] June 18 - Southern Copper said it will move ahead with an expansion project at its Toquepala mine in Peru, reversing an earlier decision to put it on hold. Decision follows the recent rise in copper prices. [ID:nN18421858] June 12 - Zambia's mines minister said the country's Munali nickel mine plans to reopen within the next month. To be restarted by China's Jinchuan Nickel Group Ltd. [ID:nWEA6579] June 8 - BHP Billiton said it would revise delayed expansion projects in Chile early next year if a recovery in copper prices was sustained. [ID:nSYD355271] June 6 - China Nonferrous Metal Mining Corp pledged to invest $400 million in Zambia's Luanshya Copper Mines after formally taking over running of the mines. CNMC said it would reopen the Baluba and develop Mulyashi as soon as possible, but gave no timeframe. The company has also commissioned the 150,000 tonnes per year Chambishi copper smelter in Zambia. [ID:nL6314236] June 3 - German independent aluminium producer Trimet Aluminium AG said it was raising slightly its output to 50 percent of capacity from 45 percent, citing a recovery in demand. [ID:nL36002]