Alcoa enforces Portland Aluminium smelter production curtailment

ALCOA has enforced the 15% production curtailment that it announced in April 2009 with 68 pots taken offline in the week beginning 29 July 2009. The curtailment is a response to the global financial crisis and difficult international market conditions and sees normal production of around 358,000 tonnes per annum reduced to 305,000 tonnes per annum. Portland Aluminium Operations Manager John Osborne said the curtailment went to plan. He says that it took considerable planning to ensure the safe and efficient removal of the pots, which was executed without affecting the rest of the minerals processing operation. The internal consultative process, involving employees, contractors, suppliers and unions, to achieve 10-15% cost reduction in the business, also announced in April, is continuing. source:www.mineralsprocessing.com.au