Rusal restarts alumina plants after hurricane

United Company Rusal has restarted the Alpart and Windalco alumina refineries in Jamaica after a four-day stoppage while a hurricane raced through the Caribbean island. "The facilities remain undamaged as a result of the efficient work carried out by the refineries` technical services teams," UC RUSAL, the world`s largest aluminium producer, said in a statement. Moscow-based UC Rusal which produces 16% of the world`s alumina, and Alcoa Inc, the second-biggest aluminium company, both closed plants on August 18. Production at New York-based Alcoa`s Jamalco alumina refinery remained halted while the company assessed storm damage. The company said it was conducting a "full assessment" of its Jamaican operations. A London-based alumina trader said on Monday that a closure lasting less than one week would have no serious effect on the world alumina market, where supply and demand are in balance. The Jamaican alumina refineries were contributed by Glencore to UC Rusal when the Switzerland-based commodities trader joined Russian producers Rusal and SUAL in creating the world`s largest aluminium producer this year. Alpart, with an annual capacity of 1.65 Mt of alumina per year, produced 1.57 Mt last year. The refinery is located close to the town of Mandeville. Windalco, or West Indies Alumina Co, comprises two alumina refineries -- Ewarton Works and Kirkvine Works -- plus a shipping port and bauxite mines. Annual capacity is 1.25 Mt of alumina.