South32 lowers its Brazilian aluminium production forecast

On January 23, 2023, the global resources company, South32 Ltd., downgraded the annual production forecast for its Brazil Aluminium operations, but the group remains optimistic in the days ahead.

South32 said, "Due to a slower-than-anticipated ramp-up to nameplate capacity, its guidance for the Brazil aluminium business, which it owns in a joint venture with Alcoa Corp., has been decreased by 25 per cent.”

"After obtaining renewable energy under long-term contracts, South32 declared a year ago that it would reactivate the Alumar aluminium smelter in Brazil, which had been shut down since 2015."

“The smelter encountered brief issues with its alumina feeding systems during the December 2022 quarter and higher than anticipated pot failure rates. Therefore, fewer pots are operating than anticipated, and nameplate capacity ramp-up is delayed until the third quarter of 2023.”