Asian Metal News
Chalco Zhongzhou, designed with alumina capacity of 2.4 mtpy, resumed full operations at the beginning of September. The company has five calcination furnaces with daily output of 1,350/t each. Environmental upgrades on one furnace was completed by end-August, marking completion of environmental upgrades on three of the five furnaces. Upgrades to the remaining two furnaces will be completed by end-2019.
Chalco Zhongzhou produced 2.1 mln t of alumina last year and 1.45 mln t during the first eight months of 2019. Total annual output or 2019 is estimated at 2.1 mln t. The company’s September output is expected to rise to 180 kt from 160 kt in August. Chalco Zhongzhou mainly uses Indonesian bauxite for alumina production and all alumina produced is sold to parent company, the Chalco Group. Chalco Zhongzhou does not presently hold any stocks.
Current mainstream alumina prices are standing at RMB 2,550-2,600/t ex-works in Henan, up RMB 10/t from last week.
