Rio reports lower alumina output at Yarwun refinery…

Rio Tinto reported that alumina production at its Yarwun refinery in Queensland was 301,000t in Q3 2007, off the pace of the prior quarter's 323,000t and the new plant's record quarterly performance of 360,000t in Q4 2006. Yarwun, with a nominal capacity of 1.4 million tpy, came into production in late 2004 and underperformed in 2005, when it produced 835,000t. Production picked up to 1,240,000t last year but cumulative production of 920,000t so far this year suggests it will do well to match the 2006 output level. However, the company's overall alumina production in Q3 was steady thanks to a larger take from its 38.6% share in the Queensland Alumina joint venture plant. Production (100%) rose to 977,000t in Q3 07 from 938,000t in Q2 2006 and from 936,000t in the year-earlier period (Q3 06).