BHP Billiton Announces First Production From Alumar Refinery
July 09 2009 - 5:45AM
Dow Jones News
BHP Billiton PLC (BHP) Thursday announced first production from
the expansion of the Alumar alumina refinery in Brazil.
MAIN FACTS:
-The project, which involved upgrading the existing plant to
eliminate bottlenecks and adding an extra line, is now more than
98% complete.
-Full mechanical completion is expected in September and the
final ramp-up to full production will by the second half of the
year.
-The upgrade and expansion project will increase the output of
the refinery by 2.0 million tons, from 1.5 million metric tons to a
total production capacity of 3.5 million metric tons per year for
the Alumar Consortium.
-The Alumar Consortium is owned by Alcoa (54% share), BHP
Billiton (36%) and Rio Tinto Alcan (10%).
-By London Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; Contact Ian Walker; +44 (0)20 7842 9296; ian.walker@dowjones.com