Alcoa to Cut Overall Production at Portland Aluminum Smelter

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Aluminum giant Alcoa announced that it will reduce overall production at the Portland aluminum smelter in the state of Victoria, Australia, due to operational instability. However, it is too early to declare whether employee numbers at the smelter will be cut.

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According to company press release, the production at the facility will be reduced to approximately 75% of the sit’s total consolidated capacity of 358,000 metric tons per year (mtpy). It will have to continue operating at this reduced capacity for an indefinite period. This has been necessitated by an equipment failure at the smelter which will impact the production of electrically conducive rodded anodes, which are needed to convey electricity into the smelting pots.

It must be noted that the smelter, with a total number of 408 pots, had been operating at about 95% of its total capacity.

Bill Oplinger, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer said that the team current focus is on taking the pots offline in a safe and controlled manner and restoring stability across the facility. The potential impacts to workforce are still being assessed, Oplinger added.