2007 Minerals Yearbook

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

ALUMINUM [ADVANCE RELEASE]

February 2009
ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.1

ALUMINUM

By E. Lee Bray

Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Paula R. Neely, statistical assistant, and the world production table was 

prepared by Lisa D. Miller, international data coordinator.

Domestic primary smelters produced 2.55 million metric 

tons (Mt) of aluminum metal valued at $6.88 billion during 

2007. At yearend, 6 companies were operating 14 domestic 

primary aluminum smelters in 11 States. Smelters east of the 

Mississippi River accounted for about 67% of the production. 

Four smelters remained temporarily idled at yearend, and one 

smelter that had been idle was being dismantled. At yearend, 

about 22% [810,000 metric tons per year (t/yr)] of domestic 

primary aluminum smelting capacity, including idled potlines at 

operating smelters, was not being utilized.

Aluminum recovered from purchased scrap increased 

to 3.85 Mt. Of this recovered metal, 58% came from new 

(manufacturing) scrap, and 42% came from old (discarded 

aluminum products) scrap. Aluminum used beverage cans 

(UBCs) accounted for 40% of the reported old scrap consumed 

in 2007. According to the Aluminum Association Inc. (2008b), 

the U.S. recycling rate for aluminum UBCs was 53.8%. 

Although this represents an increase in the UBC recycling rate 

of 2.2%, the largest increase since 2003 when the rate fell to 

50.0%, it remained well below the peak rate of 66.5% in 1997.

The transportation industry remained the leading market for 

aluminum products in Canada and the United States in 2007, 

accounting for 36.8% of metal shipments. Containers and 

packaging accounted for 22.9%; building and construction, 

14.4%; electrical, 7.7%; machinery and equipment, 7.6%; 

consumer durables, 6.9%; and other uses, 3.7%.

The 2007 annual average U.S. market price of primary 

aluminum ingot increased slightly to $1.222 per pound from 

$1.214 per pound in 2006. The monthly average price remained 

above $1.00 per pound throughout the year.

At yearend 2007, total world inventories of aluminum, 

as reported by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) 

(2008), were 3% lower than those at yearend 2006. Combined 

inventories of aluminum metal and alloys held by the London 

Metal Exchange Ltd. (LME), however, increased by 16%.

Primary aluminum was produced in 40 countries in 2007. 

China, Russia, Canada, and the United States, in decreasing 

order of metal produced, accounted for more than one-half 

of total world production. World primary metal production 

increased by 12% compared with that of 2006, primarily owing 

to a 35% increase in production in China. 

Production

Domestic Primary Production.—Northwest Aluminum Corp. 

began demolition of its 82,000-t/yr smelter at The Dalles, OR, 

which was closed in 2000. The site was to be made available 

for other industrial uses when the demolition was completed in 

2009 (Lerner, 2007c).

In September, Noranda Aluminum Inc. and the United 

Steelworkers signed a 5-year labor agreement covering 

employees at its 250,000-t/yr smelter at New Madrid, MO. 

Production was not interrupted during negotiations after the 

previous contract expired August 31 (Noranda Aluminum Inc., 

2007). Noranda settled a contract dispute with power provider 

Ameren Inc. and Missouri regulators concerning a 15-year 

electricity contract at the smelter (Collins, 2007).

Ormet Corp. completed the restart of all potlines at its 

265,000-t/yr smelter in Hannibal, OH, during the fourth quarter. 

The restart, which began in December 2006 following a 2-

year shutdown, had been slowed by interruptions in alumina 

shipments from Jamaica after Hurricane Dean damaged 

production and shipping facilities (Ormet Corp., 2007).

At Alcoa’s smelter in Alcoa, TN, a power outage caused by 

a lightning strike in the middle of April resulted in a 7-week 

shutdown of one of two potlines. The affected potline has a 

capacity of 107,000 t/yr of aluminum. Alcoa also reduced 

production at its smelter in Rockdale, TX, owing to a shortage 

of anodes while upgrades were made to anode baking facilities 

(Alcoa Inc., 2007f, l).

Production started in February at an idle potline at Alcoa’s 

smelter in Ferndale, WA. The restart was made possible after 

a long-term electricity supply contract with the Bonneville 

Power Administration (BPA) was negotiated in 2006. One of the 

smelter’s three potlines remained idle (Alcoa Inc., 2007m). 

Alcoa and the Public Utility District Number One of Chelan 

County, WA, reached terms for a 17-year contract for power 

to be supplied to the Wenatchee smelter. The new contract was 

to start in November 2011 when the current contract expires 

and will enable Alcoa to expand production by putting a third 

potline into operation. The output was expected to be increased 

by 42,000 t/yr for a total of 142,000 t/yr (Alcoa Inc., 2007n). 

Alcoa also reached an agreement with the State of New York 

and the New York Power Authority for electricity to supply 

two smelters at Massena, NY. The contract was to start in 2013 

when the current contract expires and was to last for 30 years, 

with the potential for a 10-year extension. Alcoa would make 

improvements to the smelters to reduce emissions and increase 

combined capacity to 274,000 t/yr from 255,000 t/yr. The 

improvements were expected to be completed in 2012 (Alcoa 

Inc., 2007i). 

Alcoa’s Eastalco smelter in Frederick, MD, remained 

closed, but the company was still searching for ways to obtain 

electricity at favorable rates in order to restart the smelter. The 

smelter, with a capacity of 195,000 t/yr, was closed in December 

2005 when its previous power contract expired (Lerner, 2007a).

One potline that had been idle at Glencore International AG’s 

(Baar, Switzerland) Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. smelter in 

Montana was restarted in January. The restart was enabled by 
5.2 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2007

a long-term electricity supply contract negotiated with BPA in 

2006. Three of the smelter’s fi ve potlines remain idle (Mining 

Journal, 2007). 

Domestic Secondary Production.—Aleris International Inc. 

closed a secondary smelter located in Dickson, TN, as well as 

two others in Monterrey, Mexico, and Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 

during the fourth quarter of 2007 (Aleris International Inc., 

2007a, c). 

Alcoa broke ground on an expansion project at its UBC 

facility in Alcoa, TN. The project was aimed at increasing 

capacity by 50% while increasing energy effi ciency and 

reducing emissions. Completion of the project was projected for 

mid-2009 (Alcoa Inc., 2007d).

Logan Aluminum Inc. (a joint venture of ARCO Aluminum 

Inc. and Novelis Inc.) announced plans to add a UBC recycling 

center and furnace at its Russellville, KY, rolling mill. The 

furnace was expected to be operational by January 2008 and 

would reduce the amount of molten aluminum and remelt scrap 

ingots needed from furnaces at other locations (McBeth and 

Peterson, 2007).

Spectro Alloys Inc. announced it would reduce output at 

its Rosemount, MN, smelter by 30% owing to slowing orders 

from U.S. automobile manufacturers. Increased demand from 

Toyota Motor Corp., however, prompted Missouri Smelting 

Technologies Inc. to expand production by adding a third 

furnace at its Jackson, TN, smelter and to announce plans to add 

another furnace in 2008 (McBeth, 2007).

A secondary smelter was reopened in Scottsboro, AL, by 

its new owner, Aluminum One Inc. The reverberatory furnace 

had been closed after only 3 years of operation in the 1990s. 

Addition of a rotary furnace was planned (Schaffer, 2007a).

Jupiter Aluminum Inc. was making repairs to a furnace 

that exploded in November 2006. Completion of the project 

was projected for early 2008. Repairs on two rolling mills 

were completed in the summer, and the third rolling mill was 

expected to be operational by early 2008 (Platts Metals Week, 

2007e).

Arkansas Aluminum Alloys Inc. reopened its smelter in Hot 

Springs, AR, in March after replacing equipment destroyed 

by an explosion in October 2006 that killed two employees. 

The smelter had operated at reduced capacity with undamaged 

equipment for 2 months before stopping all production to install 

new equipment (Schaffer, 2007b).

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructuring

In March, Russian Aluminum Inc., Siberian Aluminum Inc., 

and the alumina assets owned by Glencore were merged into a 

single company known as United Company Rusal (UC Rusal). 

The proposed merger had been announced in October 2006. The 

new company had 4 bauxite mines, 10 alumina refi neries, 14 

aluminum smelters, and 3 foil mills located in 17 nations. UC 

Rusal became the leading producer of alumina and aluminum 

in the world (UC Rusal, 2007b). In December, in an effort to 

diversify as it expands, UC Rusal announced plans to purchase 

a 25% share of MMC Norilsk Nickel (Moscow, Russia), a major 

producer of nickel as well as cobalt, copper, and platinum-group 

metals (UC Rusal, 2007i).

In October, Rio Tinto plc acquired Alcan Inc. The combined 

company, known as Rio Tinto Alcan Inc., will be headquartered 

in London, United Kingdom. However, the administrative 

offi ce for all of the company’s aluminum operations will 

be maintained in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as required by 

Canadian regulators and the terms of low-cost power contracts 

with the Canadian Government. Rio Tinto Alcan became the 

world’s leading producer of aluminum, surpassing the newly 

formed UC Rusal (Rio Tinto Alcan Inc., 2007a).

Apollo Management LP acquired Noranda Aluminum Inc. 

(Franklin, TN) from Xstrata plc (Zug, Switzerland). Assets 

included a 250,000-t/yr smelter in New Madrid, MO, and 

three rolling mills located in Arkansas, North Carolina, and 

Tennessee. Other assets included a 50% share of the 1.25-

million-metric-ton-per-year (Mt/yr) alumina refi nery at 

Gramercy, LA, and a 50% share of the St. Ann bauxite mine in 

Jamaica. Xstrata had obtained the aluminum assets as a result of 

its acquisition of Falconbridge Ltd. in 2006, which had acquired 

Noranda earlier in 2006 (Xstrata plc, 2007). 

Alcoa divested its holdings in Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. 

(Chinalco). Alcoa had held 7% of the stock in Chinalco since 

the initial public offering of shares on the Hong Kong Stock 

Exchange in 2001. Alcoa said it would continue to maintain its 

presence in China through investments in production facilities 

(Alcoa Inc., 2007g). 

Hindalco Industries Ltd. (Mumbai, India) acquired Novelis 

Inc. (Cleveland, OH), which owned rolling mills and UBC 

recycling facilities in the United States (Hindalco Industries 

Ltd., 2007b).

Alcoa and Orkla ASA (Olso, Norway) organized soft-alloy 

extrusion assets of both companies into a separate company 

named Sapa AB (Stockholm, Sweden). Sapa had a leading 

position in soft-alloy extruded aluminum products, with plants 

in Europe and North America. Plans called for Alcoa and 

Orkla to divest their stock in Sapa by yearend 2008. Alcoa 

also announced a deal to sell two soft-alloy extrusion plants in 

Warren, OH, and Plant City, FL, to Golden Aluminum Inc. A 

third soft-alloy extrusion plant in Tifton, GA, was to be closed 

in October (Alcoa Inc., 2007c, h). 

In the fourth quarter, Alcoa completed a deal to sell its 

automotive castings business to Compass Automotive Group, 

LLC (Franklin, IN). The casting operations involved are located 

in Fruitport, MI, and Farsund, Norway (Alcoa Inc., 2007b). 

Alcoa also announced plans to sell its packaging and consumer 

business to Rank Group Ltd. (Christchurch, New Zealand). The 

sale was to be completed in the fi rst quarter of 2008 (Alcoa Inc., 

2007a). 

In September, Aleris International acquired Wabash Alloys 

Inc., which was the leading producer of casting alloys made 

from recycled aluminum and had eight secondary aluminum 

smelters located in Canada, Mexico, and the United States 

(Aleris International Inc., 2007b; Wabash Alloys Inc., 2007).

In August, Joseph Behr & Sons Inc. closed it secondary 

aluminum smelter in Rockford, IL, in order to focus on its core 

business of scrap processing. Furnace equipment was sold to 

Spectro Alloys (Schaffer, 2007c).
ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.3

Consumption

Apparent consumption of aluminum in the United States 

declined by 5% in 2007 compared with that in 2006. Combined 

United States and Canadian shipments of aluminum declined 

by 8% in 2007 compared with the amounts shipped in 2006. 

Shipments of aluminum for transportation in 2007 declined by 

10%, and for building and construction, by 17% compared with 

the amounts shipped in 2006.

Demand for extruded aluminum products used in the 

construction industry declined as a result of reduced home 

construction related to stricter credit standards (Lerner, 2007b). 

The Boeing Co. forecast that 28,600 new aircraft would 

be constructed for the world’s airlines and cargo companies 

by 2026. Boeing projected that 17,650 new planes will be 

single-aisle midsized aircraft with capacity ranges of 90 to 240 

passengers, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Boeing 

projected that construction of large aircraft with capacity 

ranges of 200 to 400 passengers, such as the new Boeing 787 

Dreamliner, Boeing 777, and the Airbus A350, would account 

for 6,290 new aircraft by 2026. Very large aircraft capable of 

carrying more than 400 passengers, such as the Boeing 747 and 

the Airbus A380, would account for 960 new aircraft by 2026. 

Regional jets, which carry fewer than 90 passengers, would 

account for 3,700 new aircraft by 2026 (Boeing Co., 2007b). 

Boeing planned to focus efforts on reducing weight in order 

to maximize fuel effi ciency, including substituting composite 

materials for aluminum, such as on the 787 Dreamliner, which is 

constructed with a composite fuselage and wings. Although the 

787 Dreamliner contains 50% composite material by weight, it 

contains 20% to 30% aluminum and also 15% titanium. The 787 

Dreamliner was unveiled in July, and the fi rst deliveries were 

projected in 2009. The 787 Dreamliner was designed to replace 

the Boeing 767 and Boeing 757. The success of Boeing’s 787 

Dreamliner may lead to the company developing aircraft in 

future years in other size ranges in which composite materials 

replace aluminum (Boeing, 2007a). Because of the current 

aircraft construction, Boeing reported that all of the heat-treated 

aluminum plate capacity was being used, and more capacity was 

needed (Schmidt, 2007).

Alcoa increased its marketing of aluminum products for 

use on offshore oil platforms and drilling ships. Substituting 

lightweight and corrosion-resistant aluminum alloys for steel 

in drill pipes could reduce the weight of an offshore petroleum 

operation by more than 1,000 metric tons (t). Benefi ts of 

aluminum pipe include reduced cost for transportation, faster 

work speeds, greater safety, and the ability to drill to greater 

depths while in depths of water unreachable by platforms using 

steel pipe (Alcoa, 2007e). 

The average aluminum content of Japanese automobiles 

rose to 130 kilograms (kg) per vehicle in 2006 from 96 kg per 

vehicle in 2000. The Japanese Aluminium Association projected 

that, by 2025, automobiles produced by Japanese companies 

will have an average of 250 kg of aluminum per vehicle 

(Watanabe, 2007). U.S. aluminum manufactures were working 

to increase the aluminum content in automobiles to 218 kg per 

vehicle by 2017 from an average of 148 kg per vehicle in 2007 

(Burgert, 2007). 

California increased the deposit on aluminum cans by 1 cent 

for cans less than 24 ounces and by 2 cents for cans 24 ounces 

or larger. The increased deposit was cited as the reason for the 

State’s UBC recycling rate increasing to 83% in the fi rst half 

of 2007, compared with 77% in the fi rst half of 2006 (Marley, 

2007).

Stocks

According to data reported by the Aluminum Association, the 

combined United States and Canadian producers’ inventories 

of aluminum ingot, mill products, and scrap declined slightly 

to 1.40 Mt at yearend 2007 from 1.41 Mt in 2006 (Aluminum 

Association Inc., 2008a). The LME reported that primary 

aluminum metal ingot stocks at its U.S. warehouses increased 

to 354,000 t at yearend 2007 from 92,700 t at yearend 2006. 

At yearend 2007, LME warehouses in the United States also 

held about 108,000 t of North American special aluminum alloy 

contract (NASAAC) metal ingot, a decrease from the 136,000 t 

held at yearend 2006 (London Metal Exchange Ltd., 2007).

Prices

The monthly average U.S. market price of primary aluminum 

metal, as reported by Platts Metals Week, remained steady 

through the end of May, averaging $1.296 per pound fi rst 

5 months of the year. The monthly average price generally 

declined over the next several months, and fi nished the year at 

$1.107 per pound. The annual average price in 2007 increased to 

$1.222 per pound from $1.214 per pound in 2006.

The LME average monthly cash price for high-grade 

primary aluminum ingot followed the same general trend as 

the U.S. market price. The 2007 average annual LME cash 

price increased to $1.194 per pound from $1.163 per pound in 

2006. The average monthly COMEX [Commodities Exchange 

division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.] spot 

settlement price for primary aluminum ingot decreased to 

$1.079 in December 2007 from $1.255 per pound in December 

2006 and averaged $1.176 per pound for the year compared with 

$1.189 per pound in 2006.

The purchase prices for aluminum scrap, as quoted by 

American Metal Market, rose sharply through April, then 

declined sharply through July. From the end of July, prices 

gradually rose to fi nish the year slightly higher than the yearend 

price for 2006. The 2007 yearend price ranges for selected types 

of aluminum scrap were mixed low-copper-content aluminum 

clips, 80 to 82 cents per pound; old sheet and cast aluminum, 78 

to 79 cents per pound; and clean, dry aluminum turnings, 77 to 

78 cents per pound.

The aluminum producers’ buying price range for processed 

and delivered UBCs, as quoted by American Metal Market, 

closed lower at yearend, but followed similar trends observed 

in the price of other scrap categories. The price range began 

the year at 87 to 89 cents per pound and closed the year at 78 

to 80 cents per pound, averaging 85.6 cents per pound in 2007 

compared with 85.1 cents per pound in 2006.

The yearend indicator prices for selected secondary aluminum 

ingots, as published in American Metal Market, increased 
5.4 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2007

compared with those at the beginning of the year. The closing 

prices for 2007 were alloy A380 (3% zinc content), $1.09 per 

pound; alloy B380 (1% zinc content), $1.235 per pound; alloy 

A360 (0.6% copper content), $1.264 per pound; alloy A413 

(0.6% copper content), $1.27 per pound; and alloy 319, $1.145 

per pound. Platts Metals Week published an annual average U.S. 

price of $1.07 per pound for A380 alloy (3% zinc content). The 

average annual LME cash price for a similar A380 alloy was 

$0.99 per pound, and the annual average LME NASAAC spot 

price was $0.99 per pound.

Foreign Trade

In 2007, total net imports of aluminum-based materials 

declined by 30% compared with the net amount imported in 

2006. Net exports of scrap increased by 13% compared with the 

amount in 2006, while net imports of crude metal decreased by 

16%, and the net amount of semifabricated aluminum products 

imported decreased by 46% compared with those of 2006.

Exports of crude and semifabricated aluminum materials from 

the United States in 2007 were 3% lower than those of 2006. 

About 72% of total U.S. exports (crude, semifabricated, and 

scrap) in 2007 were shipped to China, Canada, and Mexico. 

Almost 97% of the aluminum shipments to China were scrap 

(table 8). 

Imports for consumption of crude aluminum decreased 

by 14%, and imports of semifabricated aluminum materials 

decreased by 12% compared with those of 2006. Canada 

remained the leading source country accounting for 60% 

of the total imports in 2007, and Russia continued to be the 

second ranked supplier, accounting for 11% of total imports of 

aluminum (table 11).

World Industry Structure

Production.—China, Russia, Canada, and the United 

States, in decreasing order of metal produced, accounted for 

59% of total world production. Primary aluminum production 

increased by 12% in 2007 compared with that of 2006 as a 

result of increased smelter capacity and demand (table 12). 

However, owing to greater demand, particularly in China, 

global inventories of crude aluminum decreased by 3% from the 

yearend 2006 level.

Stocks.—Unwrought aluminum inventories held by member 

producers of the IAI decreased by 5% to 1.55 Mt at yearend 

2007 from 1.62 Mt at yearend 2006. Unwrought aluminum 

is defi ned by the IAI as aluminum in its basic form made 

from primary metal or from scrap that is unworked in the 

metallurgical sense. Total IAI aluminum inventories decreased 

by 3% to 2.85 Mt at yearend 2007 from 2.94 Mt at yearend 

2006. Total aluminum includes unwrought aluminum plus 

unprocessed scrap, metal in process, and fi nished semifabricated 

(mill) products (International Aluminium Institute, 2008).

Yearend 2007 inventories of primary aluminum metal held 

by the LME increased by 33% to 929,000 t from 698,000 t at 

yearend 2006. Aluminum alloy inventories decreased by 54% 

to 45,800 t at yearend 2007 from 99,300 t at yearend 2006, and 

NASAAC ingot inventories decreased by 20% to 108,000 t at 

yearend 2007 from 136,000 t at yearend 2006 (London Metal 

Exchange Ltd., 2007).

World Review

The European Union (EU) reduced tariffs on aluminum 

produced in nonmember countries to 3% from 6% and 

was considering removing the tariff completely in 2009. 

Manufacturers in Eastern European nations recently admitted to 

the EU lobbied for removal of the tariff on aluminum imported 

from Russia and other sources (Miller, 2007). 

Algeria.—Dubai Aluminium Co. Ltd. (Dubal), Mubadala 

Development Corp., and two Algerian companies, Sonatrach 

Ltd. and Sonelgaz Ltd., signed an agreement to build a 700,000-

t/yr smelter with a 2,000-megawatt (MW) powerplant and 

adjacent port facilities in Beni Saf. A construction schedule was 

not announced (Dubai Aluminium Co. Ltd., 2007e).

Argentina.—Aluminio Argentino S.A.I.C. completed an 

expansion project on its smelter at Puerto Madryn in June. The 

project increased the smelting capacity to 410,000 t/yr from 

275,000 t/yr. An additional expansion project was started that 

would add 105,000 t/yr of capacity, to be completed in 2010 

(Aluminio Argentino S.A.I.C., 2007). 

Bosnia and Herzegovina.—Aluminij Mostar Ltd. was 

modernizing its smelter and increasing capacity to 135,000 t/yr 

from 120,000 t/yr. The project was expected to be completed in 

2008 (CRU Aluminum Monitor, 2007c).

Brazil.—In February, Companhia Brasileria de Aluminio Ltd. 

completed an expansion of the Aluminio smelter that increased 

capacity to 475,000 t/yr from 405,000 t/yr. Further expansions 

were planned that would increase capacity to 615,000 t/yr by 

2011 (CRU Aluminum Monitor, 2007a).

In 2006, Brazil recycled 94.4% of all aluminum beverage 

cans sold during the year. Brazil collected and recycled more 

than 139,000 t of UBCs, the equivalent of more than 10.3 billion 

aluminum cans. Although the recycling rate was slightly lower 

than the record of 96.2% set in 2005, Brazil remained the world 

leader in aluminum can recycling rates for the sixth consecutive 

year among countries that do not have mandatory recycling laws 

(Associacao Brasileira do Aluminio, 2007).

Cameroon.—Rio Tinto Alcan and the Government of 

Cameroon signed agreements for studies on construction of 

two new hydroelectric powerplants to power a new smelter and 

increase power available at the existing Edea smelter. Capacity 

at the Edea smelter would increase to 300,000 t/yr from 90,000 

t/yr, and the new smelter would have a capacity of up to 400,000 

t/yr. The studies were expected to be completed by yearend 

2009 (Rio Tinto Alcan Inc., 2007b).

Canada.—Alcan reached an agreement to sell surplus 

electricity from the Kitimat, British Columbia, smelter to BC 

Hydro Inc. Earlier in the year, Alcan and workers at the Kitimat 

smelter represented by the Canadian Auto Workers reached a 

labor agreement. Alcan was still seeking environmental permits 

to expand capacity at the smelter to 400,000 t/yr from 245,000 

t/yr (Alcan Inc., 2007a). 

China.—China announced a policy to close smelters and 

stop construction on smelters in progress that do not meet 

strict environmental and fi nancing rules or that use obsolete 
ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.5

technology. Similar rules also would apply to alumina refi neries 

under the policy (Xiaowei, 2007). However, many Provincial 

governments were ignoring the national Government’s efforts 

to control growth in the aluminum industry. New projects were 

being allowed to move forward, and those operating in violation 

of the national Government’s rules were still producing because 

the Provincial governments desired to increase employment and 

local economic growth (Pasek, 2007). In August, in an effort to 

increase aluminum supply in the Nation and reduce electricity 

use, China imposed a 15% export tax on aluminum bars and 

rods, while eliminating a 5% tariff on imports of primary 

aluminum in an effort to reduce exports of products that are 

energy intensive (Xiao, 2007). 

Chinalco completed the acquisitions of Lanzhou Aluminum 

Co. Ltd. and Shandong Aluminum Industry Co. Ltd. in April. 

In July, Chinalco reached an agreement to acquire Baotou 

Aluminum Co. Ltd., subject to regulatory approval (Aluminum 

Corp. of China Ltd., 2008, p. 11, 13, 43).

Chinalco continued construction of improvements to smelting 

pots and a powerplant at the Lanzhou smelter. The projects 

would increase aluminum capacity to 430,000 t/yr from 260,000 

t/yr and would be completed by early 2008 (Aluminum Corp. of 

China Ltd., 2008, p. 64). In June, Chinalco started construction 

on a 350,000-t/yr smelter in Fuzhou. The smelter was projected 

for completion in 2010. Chinalco also started construction on an 

aluminum complex located in Ganzou Province in April (China 

Daily, 2007). 

Panshi Jialian Aluminum Co. started production from 

its 60,000-t/yr smelter and also announced plans to make 

improvements to the potline that would increase capacity to 

75,000 t/yr. Construction on a second 75,000-t/yr potline was 

also planned, bringing total capacity to 150,000 t/yr by 2009 

(CRU Aluminum Monitor, 2007b). Zouping Aluminum started 

production from an expansion project in March. The smelter 

capacity increased to 141,000 t/yr from 66,000 t/yr (CRU 

Aluminum Monitor, 2007d).

Baotou Aluminium Co. Ltd. was planning to increase capacity 

to 500,000 t/yr from 310,000 t/yr. Shanxi Huaze Aluminum and 

Power Co. Ltd. was expanding smelting capacity to 540,000 t/yr 

from 400,000 t/yr with a project to be completed by 2009 (CRU 

Aluminum Monitor, 2007a). Shanxi Guanlu Aluminum Co. 

started an expansion project in February at its smelter. Capacity 

would increase to 440,000 t/yr from 340,000 t/yr. A completion 

date was not announced (CRU Aluminum Monitor, 2007b). 

Hunan Changyuan Aluminum Co. was expanding capacity of 

its smelter to 420,000 t/yr from 210,000 t/yr (CRU Aluminum 

Monitor, 2007e).

Datun Aluminium Ltd. was seeking approval to expand 

capacity at its smelter to 260,000 t/yr from 110,000 t/yr. If 

approved, the project would be completed by the end of 2008 

(Platts Metals Week, 2007d). The Qingzhen city government 

was engaged in talks with Chinalco and other potential investors 

to develop an aluminum complex to include a bauxite mine, 

an 800,000-t/yr-alumina refi nery, and a 200,000-t/yr aluminum 

smelter. The refi nery could be in production by 2010, and 

the smelter could be producing by 2011 (CRU Aluminum 

Monitor, 2007d). Alcoa and Yongquan Coal Industry Co. 

signed an agreement to develop an aluminum smelter and 

powerplant project in Shanxi Province. No schedule for the 

project was released (Interfax, 2007). Century Aluminum Co. 

signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Guangxi 

Investment Group Co. to study the development of a high-purity 

aluminum smelter and alumina refi nery at Laibin that was to be 

supplied with bauxite from Guangxi Autonomous Region. The 

proposed smelter would have a production capacity of 500,000 

t/yr of aluminum (Century Aluminum Co., 2007b). 

Congo (Brazzaville).—Century signed an MOU with the 

Government of Congo (Brazzaville) to build a smelter and 

alumina refi nery at Pointe Noire that was to be supplied with 

domestic bauxite (Century Aluminum Co., 2007c). 

Congo (Kinshasa).—BHP Billiton Ltd. and the Government 

of Congo (Kinshasa) signed an agreement to study the 

feasibility of building a smelter and expanding power generation 

capacity at the Inga hydroelectric powerplant. The smelter 

capacity would be 800,000 t/yr of aluminum. No completion 

date was given (BHP Billiton Ltd., 2007). 

Cuba.—Venezuela’s state-owned Alcasa Ltd. was studying 

opportunities to develop aluminium fabrication facilities in 

Cuba using aluminum from the Puerto Ordaz smelter (Beltran, 

2007). 

Germany.—Trimet Aluminium AG resumed production at the 

133,000-t/yr smelter in Hamburg in May. The smelter had been 

closed since 2005 (Trimet Aluminium AG, 2007). 

Ghana.—Volta Aluminum Ltd. closed the 200,000-t/yr 

smelter at Tema owing to power shortages in the country. The 

smelter had only operated at about 30% capacity prior to the 

shutdown because low rainfall had led to shortages of power 

from a hydroelectric dam that supplied one-half of the Nation’s 

electricity (Platts Metals Week, 2007g).

Greenland.—Alcoa signed an MOU to conduct a feasibility 

study on the potential development of a 340,000-t/yr smelter 

and hydroelectric power generation plant. If the study proves 

favorable, construction on the hydroelectric powerplant could 

begin in 2010. Construction on the smelter could start in 2012 

with completion in 2014 (Alcoa Inc., 2007j).

Guyana.—Bosai Minerals Group Co. Ltd. announced plans 

to build an 800,000-t/yr alumina refi nery and a 400,000-

t/yr smelter and an accompanying 1,000-MW hydroelectric 

powerplant. Bosai was also making improvements to the bauxite 

mine that would increase capacity to 2 Mt/yr (American Metal 

Market, 2007a). 

Iceland.—Alcoa opened the Fjardaal smelter in April. When 

fully operational in early 2008, it would have a capacity of 

346,000 t/yr. Full operation of the smelter was delayed as a 

result of problems at the powerplant that supplies electricity to 

the smelter (Alcoa Inc., 2007k; American Metal Market, 2007b). 

Century completed an expansion of the Grudartangi smelter 

that increased its capacity to 260,000 t/yr from 220,000 t/yr 

(Century Aluminum Co., 2007a). Century received a positive 

report from regulators evaluating the environmental impact 

statement for a new smelter proposed near Helguvik. The 

proposed smelter capacity would be 250,000 t/yr with initial 

production in 2010 (Century Aluminum Co., 2007d). 

Voters rejected a proposal that would have allowed expansion 

of Alcan’s ISAL smelter in Hafnarfjordur. The company had 

proposed to expand the smelter capacity to 460,000 t/yr from 
5.6 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2007

180,000 t/yr. Alcan offi cials said they were continuing to 

consider options for the future of the smelter (Barry, 2007).

India.—National Aluminum Co. of India Ltd. (Nalco) 

was expanding capacity of the Angul smelter to 460,000 t/yr 

from 345,000 t/yr. The expansion project was expected to be 

completed in December 2008 (National Aluminum Co. of India 

Ltd., 2006).

Hindalco was progressing on the Aditya aluminum complex, 

which would include a smelter with a capacity of 325,000 

t/yr, an alumina refi nery with a capacity of 1 to 1.5 Mt/yr, 

and a 750-MW powerplant. Environmental permits and longterm supply contracts for coal and water had been obtained. 

Commissioning of the smelter was planned by March 2011, 

and the refi nery commissioning was expected by May 2011. 

Hindalco also was progressing on the phase 2 expansion project 

at the Hirakud smelter. The project would increase smelting 

capacity on the potline to 143,000 t/yr from 100,000 t/yr, with 

completion expected by mid-2008. Environmental permits and 

long-term supply contracts for coal and water were obtained for 

the 325,000-t/yr Mahan smelter project and a 750-MW captive 

powerplant. Commissioning of the smelter was projected for 

September 2012. The Latehar smelter project was progressing 

with preliminary environmental permits granted, and a coal 

supply agreement reached. Land acquisition for the proposed 

325,000-t/yr smelter and a 750-MW powerplant was in progress. 

Completion of the project was projected for September 2013 

(Hindalco Industries Ltd., 2007a).

Progress by Vedanta Resources plc on the Jharsuguda smelter 

was about 1 year ahead of schedule. The initial 250,000-t/yr 

capacity would be operational by mid-2008, with an additional 

250,000 t/yr to be completed at a later date (Vedanta Resources 

plc, 2007, p. 7). Vedanta was evaluating the potential for a 

smelter in Chattisgarh. The proposed smelter would have a 

capacity of 250,000 t/yr (CRU Aluminum Monitor, 2007c).

Ashapura Minechem Ltd. was seeking approval to build an 

aluminum complex with a smelter, an alumina refi nery, and a 

bauxite mine in the Koraput District of Orrisa (Metal Bulletin, 

2006). Dubal and Larsen & Toubro were in negotiations with 

the local government to build a 250,000-t/yr smelter, a 3-Mt/yr 

refi nery, and an accompanying bauxite mine in Orissa (Dubai 

Aluminium Co. Ltd., 2007d). Bharat Aluminium Co. and 

the State government of Chatttisgarh signed an MOU for the 

construction of a 650,000-t/yr smelter adjacent to its 345,000-

t/yr smelter. No construction schedule was announced (Platts 

Metals Week, 2007c).

Iran.—Iralco Ltd. started production from the fi rst phase of 

an expansion project at the Arak smelter. The smelting capacity 

was reported to have increased to 155,000 t/yr from 120,000 

t/yr, and capacity when the full expansion is completed would 

be 230,000 t/yr (CRU Aluminum Monitor, 2007f). 

Dubal entered an agreement to supply smelting technology 

to the Al-Mahdi aluminum smelter in Iran. In the fi rst phase of 

the project, 156 pots would be constructed, with completion 

expected by the end of 2008. A second potline with an additional 

228 pots was planned for construction after the fi rst potline 

was completed, but a projected completion date for the second 

potline was not announced (Dubai Aluminium Co. Ltd., 2007b). 

Iran Mining Industries Organization, Ghadir Investment Co., 

and a consortium of Chinese companies signed an agreement to 

construct a smelter in Lamerd. The 276,000-t/yr smelter would 

be completed in 2011 (CRU Aluminum Monitor, 2007h).

Kazakhstan.—Eurasian Natural Resource Corp. started 

production from the fi rst potline at the Pavlodar smelter in 

December. Initial capacity of the smelter was 62,500 t/yr, and 

further expansion was underway that would bring capacity to 

125,000 t/yr in 2008 and 250,000 t/yr in 2011 (Eurasian Natural 

Resource Corp., 2007).

Kyrgyzstan.—Rinco Holdings Ltd., Vimetco Ltd., and Yulian 

Ltd. planned to construct an aluminum complex that included 

a 250,000-t/yr smelter, a 500,000-t/yr refi nery, and a 500-MW 

powerplant. A construction schedule was not released (CRU 

Aluminum Monitor, 2007g).

Malaysia.—Rio Tinto plc signed an agreement with Cahya 

Mata Sarawak Berhad to conduct a feasibility study for a 

proposed 550,000-t/yr smelter in Sarawak. The smelter would 

be powered by the Bakun Dam that was under construction and 

expected to be completed in 2010 (Rio Tinto plc, 2007). 

Mozambique.—Power outages disrupted production from the 

Mozal smelter, a joint venture between BHP Billiton and the 

Government. The extent of production declines was not reported 

(CRU Aluminum Monitor, 2007e). 

New Zealand.—Rio Tinto Alcan signed an 18-year power 

supply contract with Meridian Energy for its smelter in Bluff, 

New Zealand (Television New Zealand, 2007). 

Nicaragua.—The Government of Nicaragua and Venezuela’s 

Ministry of Basic Industries and Mining signed an agreement to 

build an aluminum smelter. Capacity and construction schedules 

were not announced (TMCnet, 2007). 

Nigeria.—UC Rusal moved forward with plans to reopen 

the 193,000-t/yr Alscon smelter in early 2008, which had been 

acquired from the Government of Nigeria in 2004 (Helmar, 

2007). 

Norway.—Norsk Hydro ASA closed the Soderberg potline at 

the Ardal smelter in June. The potline had a capacity of 48,000 

t/yr, and the remaining prebake potlines had a capacity of 

172,000 t/yr (Norsk Hydro ASA, 2007b). Norsk Hydro received 

approval to extend the operation of the 120,000-t/yr Soderburg 

potline at the Karmoy smelter until the end of 2009. The potline 

was to be closed because the Government deemed that this 

method emitted excessive pollutants and consumed too much 

electricity. The company was exploring the option of building 

new potlines with prebake technology that would operate 

within emission regulations if a contract for long-term power 

at favorable rates could be secured (Norsk Hydro ASA, 2007c). 

Norsk Hydro was making improvements to the power supply 

infrastructure at the Ardal smelter. The project would increase 

effi ciency and production capacity (Norsk Hydro ASA, 2007d). 

Oman.—Construction on the Sohar smelter continued with 

completion projected for the third quarter of 2008. The 350,000-

t/yr smelter project is a partnership between Oman Oil Co. 

SAOC (40%), the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority 

(40%), and Alcan (20%) and was to use Alcan’s AP35 potline 

technology. In addition to the smelter, the project would include 

carbon facilities and a gas-fi red powerplant (Alcan, 2007c). 

Qatar.—Norsk Hydro and Qatar Petroleum Co. Ltd. started 

construction of the Qatalum smelter at Mesaieed. The smelter 
ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.7

would have an initial capacity of 600,000 t/yr, with an additional 

600,000 t/yr possible. Initial production would be by the end of 

2009 (Norsk Hydro ASA, 2007a). 

Russia.— Russia removed its tariff on primary aluminum 

imports and cut the tariff on aluminum alloys to 10% from 20% 

of the declared value (Moscow Times, The, 2007). 

In October, production at UC Rusal’s Khakas smelter 

reached full capacity of 300,000 t/yr (UC Rusal, 2007g). UC 

Rusal completed a modernization project at the Krasnoyarsk 

smelter that would reduce fl uoride compound and hydrocarbon 

emissions. A similar project was started at the Bratsk smelter 

that would increase capacity to 1.09 Mt/yr from 990,000 t/yr. 

The smelters at Sayanogorsk and Irkutsk were also scheduled to 

be modernized to reduce emissions of (UC Rusal, 2007e, h).

UC Rusal started construction on a 750,000-t/yr smelter at 

Taishet. The four potlines of the smelter were to use RA-400 

cells that were developed by the company. Initial production 

was expected in November 2009, with completion of the smelter 

projected by the end of 2011 (UC Rusal, 2007f). 

UC Rusal signed an agreement in April with the Federal 

Highway, Railroad, and Energy Agencies on fi nancing for 

construction of infrastructure needed for the Boguchanskaya 

smelter and hydroelectric powerplant on the Angara River. 

Construction on the 600,000-t/yr smelter started in May and was 

projected for completion in December 2009, with full capacity 

production anticipated in 2011 (UC Rusal, 2007c, d). UC Rusal 

signed an agreement with the Saratov regional government to 

study the construction of a 1.05-Mt/yr smelter. The smelter 

would be powered by two new reactors at the Balakovsky 

nuclear powerplant, which UC Rusal would pay to construct. 

The feasibility study was expected to be completed by yearend 

2008 (UC Rusal, 2007j). UC Rusal and Rosatom, the Federal 

Nuclear Power Agency, reached an agreement on investment 

in a nuclear powerplant to power a new smelter in the Russian 

Far East. A feasibility study was projected to be completed by 

yearend 2007, with construction to be planned later if approved 

(UC Rusal, 2007a). 

Saudi Arabia.—Alcan and Saudi Arabian Mining Co. signed 

an agreement to jointly develop an aluminum complex including 

an aluminum smelter, an alumina refi nery, and a bauxite mine. 

The 720,000-t/yr smelter would receive alumina from a 1.6-

Mt/yr refi nery that would use bauxite from a 3-Mt/yr mine. The 

mine would be in the South Zone of the Az Zabirah bauxite 

deposit in the north central part of the Kingdom. The smelter 

capacity could be expanded to 1.2 Mt/yr. A completion date 

was not released (Saudi Arabian Mining Co., 2006; Alcan Inc., 

2007b). 

Western Way for Industrial Development Co. signed an 

agreement with China Nonferrous Metal Industry Foreign 

Engineering and Construction Co. and China National 

Machinery Industry Corp. to construct an aluminum complex 

in Jizan. The proposed complex would produce 700,000 t/yr 

of aluminum and 1.6 Mt/yr of alumina using bauxite imported 

from Greece. The projected completion date of the complex was 

not available (Ghafour, 2007). 

Chinalco signed an agreement with Malaysia Mining Corp. 

and Saudi Bin Laden Group to build a 1-Mt/yr smelter in Saudi 

Arabia. The Saudi Government promised favorable rates on the 

power needed for the smelter. Construction was to begin in mid2008 (China Mining, 2007). 

South Africa.—Power outages disrupted production from 

BHP Billiton’s smelters at Hillside and Bayside. The extent of 

production declines was not reported (CRU Aluminum Monitor, 

2007e). Alcan made progress towards construction of the Coega 

smelter. Smelting capacity of the two-phase project would be 

720,000 t/yr when completed. The fi rst phase of construction 

was projected to start in 2008 and to be completed in 2010. A 

25-year power agreement was secured in November 2006 with 

ESKOM Holdings Ltd. (Alcan Inc., 2006; 2007d).

Tajikistan.—Norsk Hydro agreed to a contract to 

provide assistance in modernizing the TadAZ smelter in 

Tursunzade. The project would increase production capacity 

to approximately 575,000 t/yr from 517,000 t/yr. In exchange, 

Norsk Hydro would get rights to supply 150,000 t/yr of alumina 

and to purchase up to 200,000 t/yr of aluminum (Norsk Hydro 

ASA, 2006). The Government canceled a deal with UC Rusal 

for constructing a 3,600-MW hydroelectric powerplant at 

Roghun and announced that it would construct the project 

without corporate investment (Platts Metals Week, 2007f).

Trinidad and Tobago.—Alutrint Ltd. received environmental 

permits for construction of a 125,000-t/yr smelter in La Brea. 

A construction schedule was not announced (Ramjohn, 2007). 

Plans for a smelter to be built by Alcoa in Chathem were on 

hold after the Government announced in December 2006 that 

the company could not construct the proposed 341,000-t/yr 

smelter. Alcoa said that it would seek approval for a smelter at 

another location in the country (Platts Metals Week, 2007b).

United Arab Emirates.—Dubal continued progress on a 

project to raise capacity of its smelter to 945,000 t/yr from 

890,000 t/yr by the end of March 2008. Dubal stated that it 

intended to increase capacity to 2.5 Mt/yr by 2015 (Dubai 

Aluminium Co. Ltd., 2007a). In May, construction began on the 

1.4-Mt/yr Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) smelter, a joint venture 

between Dubal and Government-owned Mubadala Development 

Co. The fi rst phase of the smelter would be completed in 

2010, with the second phase to be constructed at a later date. 

The project would include a 2,250-MW powerplant and was 

expected to be built at the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone in 

Taweelah, Abu Dhabi (Dubai Aluminium Co. Ltd., 2007c). 

Venezuela.—Alcasa shut down production from two of its 

potlines in Cuidad, with a combined capacity of 50,000 t/yr. 

The pots and related machinery were determined to be obsolete 

and unsafe to operate (Platts Metals Week, 2007a). UC Rusal 

signed an agreement with state-owned Corporacion Venezolana 

de Guayana to study opportunities in the aluminum industry 

in Venezuela. The joint venture would include all aspects of 

the upstream segment of the aluminum industry from bauxite 

mining through smelting of aluminum. No projections of 

completion of the study were given, nor was the scope of the 

projects involved (UC Rusal, 2007k). 

Outlook

World demand for aluminum was expected to continue to 

increase, although at a slightly slower pace than in recent 

years. Demand from China and other developing nations was 
5.8 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2007

expected to remain strong, offsetting reduced demand from 

the housing and automotive sectors in the United States. 

Expansions of primary smelters in locations with low-cost, lowpolluting sources of electricity were expected to offset idled 

older smelters in regions with constrained power supplies and 

high labor costs, and capacity was expected to keep pace with 

global demand. Temporary power outages at smelters are likely 

to result in short-term shortages as a result of the tight stock 

levels in warehouses. A relatively weak dollar, low labor costs, 

and low-cost shipping rates in containers being returned to 

China were expected to result in a continued high level of scrap 

exports from the United States and Western Europe as has been 

observed in recent years. 

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ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.9

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May 8, p. A8.

Mining Journal, 2007, Glencore restart: Mining Journal, January 26, p. 4.

Moscow Times, The, 2007, Aluminum duties to be cut: The Moscow Times, 

June 28. (Accessed June 28, 2007, at http://www.themoscowtimes.com/

stories/2007/06/28/048.html.)

National Aluminum Co. of India Ltd., 2006, Operations: Bhubaneswar, India, 

National Aluminum Co. of India Ltd., December. (Accessed January 16, 

2008, at http://www.nalcoindia.com/ataglance/operations.htm.)

Noranda Aluminum Inc., 2007, Noranda Aluminum announces labor agreement: 

Franklin, TN, Noranda Aluminum Inc. news release, September 5, 1 p.

Norsk Hydro ASA, 2006, New commercial arrangements agreed with TadAZ: 

Oslo, Norway, Norsk Hydro ASA news release, December 20, 1 p.

Norsk Hydro ASA, 2007a, Fusion of two cultures marked Qatalum’s 

construction start: Oslo, Norway, Norsk Hydro ASA news release, 

 November 19, 1 p.

Norsk Hydro ASA, 2007b, Last metal from Soderberg cells: Oslo, Norway, 

Norsk Hydro ASA news release, June 13, 1 p.

Norsk Hydro ASA, 2007c, New emission limits for Soderberg at Karmoy site: 

Oslo, Norway, Norsk Hydro ASA news release, July 3, 1 p.

Norsk Hydro ASA, 2007d, New investment in Ardal’s future: Oslo, Norway, 

Norsk Hydro ASA news release, June 27, 1 p.

Ormet Corp., 2007, Ormet reschedules restart of sixth potline: Hannibal, OH, 

Ormet Corp. news release, September 24, 1 p.

Pasek, Andrew, 2007, China provinces ignore govt measure to rein in aluminum 

sector: Hoover’s, June 1. (Accessed June 4, 2007, at http://

 www.hoovers.com/free/co/news/detail.xhtml?ID=10068&ArticleID=

 20070601670.2_02c2001365f155a9&source_type%5B%5D=n.) 

Platts Metals Week, 2007a, Alcasa awaits closure OK: Platts Metals Week, v. 78, 

no. 14, April 2, p. 10. 

Platts Metals Week, 2007b, Alcoa’s Trinidad smelter plans delayed: Platts 

Metals Week, v. 78, no. 4, January 22, p. 11.

Platts Metals Week, 2007c, Balco to build 650,000 mt/year smelter: Platts 

Metals Week, v. 78, no. 33, August 13, p. 10.

Platts Metals Week, 2007d, Datun to begin expansion work: Platts Metals Week, 

v. 78, no. 36, January 15, p. 8.

Platts Metals Week, 2007e, Jupiter rebuild to be fi nished in 2008: Platts Metals 

Week, v. 78, no. 50, December 10, p. 11.

Platts Metals Week, 2007f, Tajik government cancels deal with Rusal: Platts 

Metals Week, v. 78, no. 36, September 3, p. 6.

Platts Metals Week, 2007g, Valco shuts due to power cuts: Platts Metals Week, 

v. 78, no. 12, March 19, p. 12. 

Ramjohn, Driselle, 2007, Smelter will go ahead: Trinidad & Tobago Express, 

April 3. (Accessed April 4, 2007, at http://trinaddaexpress.com/index.pl/

print?id=161124355.)

Rio Tinto Alcan Inc., 2007a, Alcan joins Rio Tinto to create global aluminium 

leader: London, United Kingdom, Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. news release, 

 October 25, 6 p.

Rio Tinto Alcan Inc., 2007b, Rio Tinto Alcan and Government of Cameroon 

sign an agreement for a potential hydro-power project and greenfi eld smelter: 

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. news release, November 29, 

2 p.

Rio Tinto plc, 2007, Rio Tinto and Cahya Mata Sarawak sign heads of 

agreement for Sarawak smelter: London, United Kingdom, Rio Tinto plc 

news release, August 7, 2 p.

Saudi Arabian Mining Co., 2006, Az Zabirah aluminum project: Riyadh, Saudi 

Arabia, Saudi Arabian Mining Co., December. (Accessed January 16, 2008, 

at http://www.maaden.com.sa/Maaden/English/TopU/MaadenToday/Projects/

1AzZabirahAluminumProject.)

Schaffer, Paul, 2007a, Aluminum One of Alabama kicks off sales of secondary 

aluminum: American Metal Market, v. 115, no. 40–1, October 8, p. 10.

Schaffer, Paul, 2007b, Arkansas Aluminum recalls staff, restarts full output: 

American Metal Market, v. 115, no. 11–3, March 21, p. 9.

Schaffer, Paul, 2007c, Behr’s smelter set for closure following sale: American 

Metal Market, v. 115, no. 27–3, July 11, p. 1, 4.

Schmidt, Brian, 2007, Aerospace aluminum: Scottsdale, AZ, Platts Aluminum 

Symposium 2007, January 29.

Television New Zealand, 2007, Meridian signs $5b contract: Television New 

Zealand, October 2. (Accessed October 2, 2007, at http://tvnz.co.nz/view/

page536641/1387712.)

TMCnet, 2007, Govt draws up deal to install Al plant: TMCnet, 

April 30. (Accessed April 30, 2007, at http://www.tmcnet.com/

usubmit/2007/4/30/2565021.htm.)

Trimet Aluminium AG, 2007, Trimet Aluminium AG offi cially opens aluminum 

smelter in Hamburg: Essen, Germany, Trimet Aluminium AG new release, 

May 9, 2 p.

UC Rusal, 2007a, Federal Nuclear Power Agency (ROSATOM) and United 

Company RUSAL reach agreement on joint implementation of a project in 

the Far East: Moscow, Russia, UC Rusal news release, April 9, 1 p.

UC Rusal, 2007b, RUSAL, SUAL, and Glencore deal completed: Moscow, 

Russia, UC Rusal news release, March 27, 2 p.

UC Rusal, 2007c, Signing of agreement on complex development of lower 

Angara region: Moscow, Russia, UC Rusal news release, April 17, 2 p.

UC Rusal, 2007d, UC RUSAL and HYDROOGK begin construction of 

Boguchanskiy aluminium smelter: Moscow, Russia, UC Rusal news release, 

May 15, 2 p.

UC Rusal, 2007e, UC RUSAL completes a part of ecological modernization 

project at Krasnoyarsk aluminium smelter: Moscow, Russia, UC Rusal news 

release, November 23, 1 p.
5.10 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2007

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

United States:

Primary production:

Quantity thousand metric tons 2,703 2,516 2,481 2,284 2,554

Value millions $4,060 $4,660 $4,980 $6,110 $6,880

Price, average, U.S. market, spot cents per pound 68.1 84.0 91.0 121.4 122.2

Inventories (December 31):

Aluminum industry

2 thousand metric tons 1,400 1,470 1,430 1,410 1,400

LME stocks in U.S. warehouses3 do. 207 116 209 228 r 463

Secondary recovery:

4

New scrap do. 1,750 1,870 1,950 2,300 r 2,250

Old scrap do. 1,070 1,160 1,080 1,260 r 1,600

Total do. 2,820 3,030 3,030 3,560 r 3,850

Exports, crude and semicrude do. 1,540 1,820 2,370 2,820 2,840

Imports for consumption, crude and semicrude do. 4,130 4,720 5,330 5,180 4,490

Supply, apparent

5 do. 8,870 r 9,080 r 9,220 r 9,010 r 8,660

Consumption, apparent

6 do. 7,120 r 7,210 r 7,270 r 6,710 r 6,410

World, production do. 28,000 29,900 31,900 33,900 r 37,900

2

Data from the Aluminum Association Inc.; includes ingot, semifabricated material, and scrap. Beginning in 2003, data series revised

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits except "Primary production."

r

Revised. do. Ditto.

TABLE 1

SALIENT ALUMINUM STATISTICS1

to include inventory levels for both United States and Canadian producers.

3

Includes aluminum alloyed material.

6

Apparent supply less recovery from purchased new scrap.

for Government and industry stock changes.

5

Defined as domestic primary metal production plus secondary recovery plus imports (excluding scrap) minus exports plus adjustments

4

Metallic recovery from purchased, tolled, or imported new and old scrap expanded for full industry coverage.

UC Rusal, 2007f, UC RUSAL launches construction of Taishet aluminium 

smelter in Irkutsk region: Moscow, Russia, UC Rusal news release, June 25, 

2 p.

UC Rusal, 2007g, UC RUSAL launches full capacity of Khakas aluminium 

smelter ahead of schedule: Moscow, Russia, UC Rusal news release, 

 October 29, 1 p.

UC Rusal, 2007h, UC RUSAL launches modernization of world’s largest 

aluminium smelter: Moscow, Russia, UC Rusal news release, August 9, 1 p.

UC Rusal, 2007i, UC RUSAL proceeds with agreement to purchase 25% plus 

one share of Norilsk Nickel from ONEXIM Group: Moscow, Russia, UC 

Rusal news release, December 21, 1 p.

UC Rusal, 2007j, UC RUSAL signs an investment agreement with Saratov 

region administrator to build a major energy & metals complex: Moscow, 

Russia, UC Rusal news release, October 9, 2 p.

UC Rusal, 2007k, United Company RUSAL and Republic of Venezuela sign 

letter of intent to jointly develop alumina and aluminum projects: Moscow, 

Russia, UC RUSAL news release, September 10, 1 p.

Vedanta Resources plc, 2007, Interim results for the six months ended 30 

September 2007: London, United Kingdom, Vedanta Resources plc, 

November 15, 44 p.

Wabash Alloys Inc., 2007, About Wabash Alloys: Wabash, IN, Wabash Alloys 

Inc., September. (Accessed April 4, 2008, at http://www.wabashalloys.com/

general.nsf/F_AboutUsMain?OpenFrameset.) 

Watanabe, Mayumi, 2007, Japan’s aluminum consumption in autos rises to 130 

kg/vehicle: Platts Metals Week, v. 78, no. 50, December 10, p. 10.

Xiao, Yu, 2007, China to remove aluminum import tax to curb output: 

Bloomberg, July 19. (Accessed July 19, 2007, at http://www.bloomberg.com/

apps/news?pid=20670001&refer=china&sid=ao.j8Qna3F00.)

Xiaowei, Li, 2007, China to close aluminum plants that breach rules, agency 

says: Bloomberg, April 10. (Accessed April 10, 2007, at http://

 www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&refer=commodities&sid=

 aDYpHrJ80PxA.)

Xstrata plc, 2007, Xstrata announces disposal of aluminium assets for US$1.115 

billion: Zug, Switzerland, Xstrata plc news release, April 11, 1 p.

GENERAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

U.S. Geological Survey Publications

Aluminum. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, annual.

Aluminum. Mineral Industry Surveys, monthly.

Aluminum and Bauxite. Ch. in United States Mineral 

Resources, Professional Paper 820, 1973.

Bauxite and Alumina. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, 

annual.

Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in 

the United States. Data Series 140.

Primary Aluminum Plants Worldwide, 1998.

U.S. Trade in Bauxite and Alumina. Mineral Industry Surveys, 

quarterly.

World Bauxite Resources. Professional Paper 1076–B, 1986.

Other

Aluminum. Ch. in Mineral Facts and Problems, U.S. Bureau of 

Mines Bulletin 675, 1985.

Aluminum Statistical Review. Aluminum Association Inc., 

annual.
ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.11

Company and location 2006 2007 Ownership in 2007

Alcoa Inc.:

Alcoa, TN 215 215 Alcoa Inc., 100%.

Badin, NC 120 120 Do.

Evansville, IN (Warrick) 309 309 Do.

Ferndale, WA (Intalco) 278 278 Do.

Frederick, MD (Eastalco) 195 195 Do.

Massena, NY (St. Lawrence) 125 125 Do.

Massena, NY 130 130 Do.

Mount Holly, SC 224 224 Alcoa Inc., 50.3%; Century Aluminum Co., 49.7%.

Rockdale, TX 267 267 Alcoa Inc., 100%.

Wenatchee, WA 184 184 Do.

Total 2,050 2,050

Century Aluminum Co.:

Hawesville, KY 244 244 Century Aluminum Co., 100%.

Ravenswood, WV 170 170 Do.

Total 414 414

Columbia Falls Aluminum Co., Columbia Falls, MT 168 168 Glencore International AG, 100%.

Goldendale Aluminum Co., Goldendale, WA 160 160 Private interest, 60%; employees, 40%.

Noranda Aluminum Inc., New Madrid, MO 250 250 Apollo Management LP, 100%.

Northwest Aluminum Corp., The Dalles, OR 82 -- Private interest, 100%.

Ormet Primary Aluminum Corp., Hannibal, OH 265 265 Ormet Corp., 100%.

Rio Tinto Alcan Inc., Sebree, KY 196 196 Rio Tinto Alcan Inc., 100%.

Vanalco Inc., Vancouver, WA 116 116 Glencore International AG, 100%.

Grand total 3,700 3,620

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

(thousand metric tons)

TABLE 2

PRIMARY ANNUAL ALUMINUM PRODUCTION CAPACITY IN THE UNITED STATES, BY COMPANY1

Yearend capacity

Do. Ditto. -- Zero.

Class Consumption Aluminum Metallic

2006:

Secondary smeltersr 2,080,000 1,410,000 1,500,000

Independent mill fabricators

r, 3 1,880,000 1,620,000 1,730,000

Foundries 78,700 64,600 69,100

Other consumers 8,700 7,700 7,730

Totalr 4,050,000 3,100,000 3,310,000

Estimated full industry coverager 4,360,000 3,330,000 3,560,000

2007:

Secondary smelters 1,840,000 1,270,000 1,360,000

Independent mill fabricators

3 2,400,000 2,020,000 2,150,000

Foundries 79,000 64,900 69,400

Other consumers 7,950 6,890 6,920

Total 4,330,000 3,370,000 3,580,000

Estimated full industry coverage 4,660,000 3,620,000 3,850,000

3

Includes plants previously categorized as "Integrated aluminum companies." 

(Metric tons)

totals shown.

1

Excludes recovery from other than aluminum-base scrap.

2

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to 

Calculated recovery

r

Revised.

TABLE 3

U.S. CONSUMPTION OF AND RECOVERY FROM PURCHASED

NEW AND OLD ALUMINUM SCRAP, BY CLASS1, 2
5.12 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2007

Stocks, Net Stocks,

Class of consumer and type of scrap January 1 receipts3 Consumption December 31

Secondary smelters:

New scrap:

Extrusions 18,400 r 389,000 389,000 18,300

Can stock clippings 1,640 r 96,700 96,000 2,340

Other wrought sheet and clippings 1,150 r 139,000 139,000 977

Castings 2,490 r 73,500 74,700 1,290

Borings and turnings 2,970 r 150,000 151,000 2,060

Dross and skimmings 774 r 495,000 494,000 1,290

Other -- 7,380 7,380 --

Total 27,400 r 1,350,000 1,350,000 26,300

Old scrap:

Castings 3,440 r 85,900 86,500 2,800

Extrusions 1,650 r 53,100 53,100 1,690

Aluminum cans4 23 r 43,300 43,300 14

Other wrought products 1,870 r 78,800 78,700 2,010

Auto shredder scrap 7,830 r 225,000 225,000 7,530

Other -- 1,700 1,700 --

Total 14,800 r 487,000 488,000 14,000

Sweated pig 82 2,970 2,960 96

Grand total secondary smelters 42,300 r 1,840,000 1,840,000 40,400

Integrated aluminum companies, foundries, independent mill

fabricators, other consumers:

New scrap:

Extrusions 13,800 r 638,000 645,000 6,740

Can stock clippings 1,520 r 237,000 236,000 2,920

Other wrought sheet and clippings 3,070 r 206,000 205,000 3,690

Castings 413 r 43,400 42,800 965

Borings and turnings 3,240 r 34,400 36,400 1,200

Dross and skimmings 3,100 r 81,600 81,200 3,570

Total 25,100 r 1,240,000 1,250,000 19,100

Old scrap:

Castings 4,190 r 58,800 59,200 3,750

Extrusions 1,660 r 34,100 34,300 1,520

Aluminum cans4 7,290 r 649,000 653,000 3,860

Other wrought products 7,560 r 291,000 293,000 6,100

Auto shredder scrap 2,540 r 24,400 24,600 2,280

Other -- 176,000 176,000 --

Total 23,200 r 1,230,000 1,240,000 17,500

Sweated pig -- -- -- --

Grand total integrated aluminum companies, etc. 48,300 r 2,470,000 2,490,000 36,600

All scrap consumed:

New scrap:

Extrusions 32,100 r 1,030,000 1,030,000 25,000

Can stock clippings 3,160 r 334,000 331,000 5,260

Other wrought sheet and clippings 4,230 r 345,000 344,000 4,670

Castings 2,900 r 117,000 117,000 2,250

Borings and turnings 6,210 r 185,000 188,000 3,260

Dross and skimmings 3,870 r 576,000 575,000 4,850

Other -- 7,380 7,380 --

Total 52,500 r 2,590,000 2,600,000 45,300

TABLE 4

U.S. STOCKS, RECEIPTS, AND CONSUMPTION OF PURCHASED NEW AND OLD ALUMINUM SCRAP

(Metric tons)

AND SWEATED PIG IN 20071, 2

See footnotes at end of table.
ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.13

Stocks, Net Stocks,

Class of consumer and type of scrap January 1 receipts3 Consumption December 31

All scrap consumed—Continued:

Old scrap:

Castings 7,630 r 145,000 146,000 6,550

Extrusion 3,320 r 87,200 87,300 3,210

Aluminum cans 7,310 r 693,000 696,000 3,880

Other wrought products 9,430 r 370,000 371,000 8,110

Auto shredder scrap 10,400 r 249,000 250,000 9,810

Other -- 178,000 178,000 --

Total 38,000 r 1,720,000 1,730,000 31,600

Sweated pig 82 2,970 2,960 96

Grand total of all scrap consumed 90,600 r 4,310,000 4,330,000 77,000

1

Includes imported scrap. According to reporting companies, 5.77% of total receipts of aluminum-base scrap, or 250,000

TABLE 4—Continued

U.S. STOCKS, RECEIPTS, AND CONSUMPTION OF PURCHASED NEW AND OLD ALUMINUM SCRAP

AND SWEATED PIG IN 20071, 2

4

Used beverage cans toll treated for primary producers are included in secondary smelter tabulation.

r

Revised. -- Zero.

metric tons, was received on toll arrangements.

2

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

3

Includes inventory adjustment.

(Metric tons)

Net Net 

Production shipments2 Production shipments2

Diecast alloys:

13% Si, 360, etc. (0.6% Cu, maximum) 26,000 r 27,300 r 26,000 26,400

380 and variations 357,000 r 358,000 r 313,000 313,000

Sand and permanent mold:

95/5 Al-Si, 356, etc. (0.6% Cu, maximum) 33,800 r 33,900 r 32,900 33,100

No. 12 and variations 3,870 r 3,950 r 2,270 2,270

No. 319 and variations 90,500 r 90,000 r 74,900 75,700

F-132 alloy and variations 21,500 r 21,800 r 20,000 20,200

Al-Mg alloys 6,850 r 6,720 r 9,940 9,700

Al-Zn alloys 2,710 2,740 r 1,720 1,770

Al-Si alloys (0.6% to 2.0% Cu) 19,700 r 19,600 r 20,000 20,000

Al-Cu alloys (1.5% Si, maximum) 3,810 r 4,020 r 399 456

Al-Si-Cu-Ni alloys 3,660 r 3,070 r 9,680 9,940

Other 442 414 r 401 401

Wrought alloys, extrusion billets 730,000 r 728,000 r 703,000 702,000

Miscellaneous:

Steel deoxidation 51,200 r 51,100 r 42,900 42,900

Pure (97.0% Al) W W W W

Aluminum-base hardeners W W W W

Other

3 58,200 r 56,800 r 60,000 59,300

Total 1,410,000 r 1,410,000 r 1,320,000 1,320,000

Less consumption of materials other than scrap:

Primary aluminum 321,000 r XX 307,000 XX

Primary silicon 39,600 r XX 34,300 XX

Other 16,800 r XX 15,100 XX

Net metallic recovery from aluminum scrap and sweated pig

consumed in production of secondary aluminum ingot

4 1,030,000 r XX 961,000 XX

2

Includes inventory adjustment.

3

Includes other diecast alloys.

4

No allowance made for melt loss of primary aluminum and alloying ingredients.

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2006 2007

r

Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included with "Miscellaneous, other." XX Not applicable.

TABLE 5

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENTS OF SECONDARY ALUMINUM ALLOYS BY INDEPENDENT SMELTERS

(Metric tons)

IN THE UNITED STATES1
5.14 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2007

Quantity Quantity

(thousand Percentage (thousand Percentage

Industry metric tons) of grand total metric tons) of grand total

Containers and packaging 2,320 r 19.7 r 2,220 19.9

Building and construction 1,650 r 14.0 r 1,410 12.6

Transportation 3,930 r 33.4 3,580 32.0

Electrical 774 r 6.6 r 745 6.7

Consumer durables 746 6.3 669 6.0

Machinery and equipment 762 r 6.5 r 736 6.6

Other markets 330 2.8 359 3.2

Total 10,500 r 89.3 r 9,710 87.0

Exportse 1,270 r 10.8 r 1,450 13.0

Grand total 11,800 r 100.0 11,200 100.0

2006 2007p

Source: The Aluminum Association Inc.

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

e

Estimated. pPreliminary. rRevised.

TABLE 6

DISTRIBUTION OF END-USE SHIPMENTS OF ALUMINUM PRODUCTS

IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, BY INDUSTRY1

2005 2006 2007p

Wrought products:

Sheet, plate, foil 5,330 r 5,330 r 5,040

Pipe, tube, extruded shapes 2,090 r 2,070 r 1,790

Rod, bar, wire, cable 896 r 959 r 890

Forgings (including impacts) 129 134 126

Powder, flake, paste 55 48 r 50

Total 10,500 r 10,500 r 9,910

Castings:

Sand 289 335 315

Permanent and semipermanent mold 785 754 615

Die 1,110 1,170 1,260

Other 108 53 35

Total 2,290 2,310 2,230

Grand total 12,800 r 12,900 r 12,100

Source: The Aluminum Association Inc. 

3

Wrought products data series includes net shipments in both the United States and Canada.

2

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

shape from the domestic industry's gross shipments of that shape.

1

Net shipments derived by subtracting the sum of producers' domestic receipts of each mill

p

Preliminary. rRevised.

TABLE 7

U.S. NET SHIPMENTS OF ALUMINUM WROUGHT AND CAST PRODUCTS,

(Thousand metric tons)

BY PRODUCERS1, 2, 3
ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.15

Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

Country (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands)

2006:

Azerbaijan -- -- (3) $9 -- -- (3) $9

Brazil 129 $667 7,720 42,900 682 $1,500 8,530 45,000

Canada 119,000 310,000 475,000 1,760,000 146,000 252,000 740,000 2,320,000

China 2,510 10,000 38,600 190,000 895,000 1,480,000 936,000 1,680,000

France 83 210 13,800 91,400 22 199 13,900 91,800

Germany 558 2,970 10,100 62,600 268 978 10,900 66,500

Hong Kong 1,100 3,930 11,500 60,200 26,100 66,800 38,700 131,000

Italy 809 2,950 4,710 35,900 728 2,640 6,250 41,500

Japan 10,000 34,600 19,300 174,000 43,500 88,600 72,800 297,000

Kazakhstan -- -- 3 169 -- -- 3 169

Korea, Republic of 747 2,930 14,200 80,800 153,000 258,000 168,000 342,000

Mexico 194,000 477,000 261,000 940,000 98,800 197,000 554,000 1,610,000

Netherlands 141 1,120 765 8,280 312 766 1,220 10,200

Philippines 3 25 239 4,170 233 197 475 4,390

Russia 1,140 4,040 207 1,370 24 149 1,370 5,550

Saudi Arabia 29 110 31,600 102,000 (3) 8 31,600 102,000

Singapore 167 765 1,990 18,000 241 1,330 2,400 20,100

South Africa 26 141 544 5,770 -- -- 570 5,910

Taiwan 349 876 9,160 45,800 55,700 102,000 65,200 148,000

Thailand 1,450 4,910 7,150 27,200 13,400 23,800 22,000 55,900

Ukraine 6 37 18 157 -- -- 24 193

United Kingdom 455 2,390 18,300 125,000 644 1,270 19,400 129,000

Venezuela 24 31 2,550 12,700 1 14 2,570 12,700

Other 13,900 46,700 62,000 317,000 46,600 64,200 123,000 428,000

Total 346,000 906,000 990,000 4,100,000 1,480,000 2,540,000 2,820,000 7,550,000

2007:

Azerbaijan -- -- 9 241 -- -- 9 241

Brazil 1,930 4,270 12,200 70,800 4,690 19,100 18,800 94,100

Canada 116,000 315,000 422,000 1,660,000 158,000 327,000 696,000 2,310,000

China 1,310 3,660 23,900 157,000 803,000 1,590,000 828,000 1,750,000

France 869 3,590 10,800 85,600 203 563 11,800 89,800

Germany 2,810 10,900 9,820 73,300 1,200 3,060 13,800 87,200

Hong Kong 668 1,560 20,400 101,000 39,900 92,500 61,000 195,000

Italy 5,800 5,890 3,850 39,400 3,570 18,500 13,200 63,800

Japan 15,000 37,600 19,100 191,000 45,900 111,000 80,000 340,000

Kazakhstan -- -- 7 324 -- -- 7 324

Korea, Republic of 565 2,470 18,400 111,000 198,000 384,000 217,000 497,000

Mexico 190,000 516,000 247,000 988,000 82,400 166,000 519,000 1,670,000

Netherlands 1,680 5,650 1,730 12,700 1,390 2,750 4,800 21,100

Philippines 5 26 310 4,170 105 208 420 4,400

Russia 516 2,350 1,790 6,720 139 254 2,450 9,330

Saudi Arabia 18 136 29,900 108,000 -- -- 29,900 108,000

Singapore 352 1,260 2,760 22,900 329 592 3,440 24,800

South Africa 82 513 407 4,780 -- -- 489 5,300

Taiwan 356 1,630 6,310 33,600 134,000 212,000 141,000 247,000

Thailand 526 514 12,200 47,700 24,800 38,900 37,600 87,100

Ukraine 573 4,830 322 1,310 -- -- 895 6,140

United Kingdom 234 2,240 21,000 147,000 1,820 4,100 23,000 153,000

Venezuela 113 350 3,050 14,400 80 127 3,250 14,900

Other 9,460 32,700 79,900 395,000 45,800 76,700 135,000 504,000

Total 349,000 953,000 947,000 4,280,000 1,550,000 3,050,000 2,840,000 8,280,000

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

-- Zero.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

2

Includes castings, forgings, and unclassified semifabricated forms.

3

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

TABLE 8

U.S. EXPORTS OF ALUMINUM, BY COUNTRY1

Metals and alloys, crude Plates, sheets, bars, etc.2 Scrap Total
5.16 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2007

Quantity Value Quantity Value

Class (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands)

Crude and semicrude:

Metals and alloys, crude 346,000 $906,000 349,000 $953,000

Scrap 1,480,000 2,550,000 1,550,000 3,050,000

Plates, sheets, bars, strip, etc. 923,000 3,580,000 887,000 3,730,000

Castings and forgings 24,200 237,000 21,100 263,000

Semifabricated forms, n.e.c. 42,600 287,000 39,200 287,000

Total 2,820,000 7,550,000 2,840,000 8,280,000

Manufactures:

Foil and leaf 95,100 401,000 88,700 408,000

Powders and flakes 7,410 41,300 6,600 36,600

Wire and cable 40,500 148,000 45,700 179,000

Total 143,000 591,000 141,000 624,000

Grand total 2,960,000 8,140,000 2,980,000 8,910,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

TABLE 9

U.S. EXPORTS OF ALUMINUM, BY CLASS1

2006 2007

Quantity Quantity Value

Class (metric tons) (metric tons) (thousands)

Crude and semicrude:

Metals and alloys, crude 3,440,000 $9,040,000 2,950,000 $8,290,000

Plates, sheets, strip, etc., n.e.c.2 914,000 3,230,000 801,000 3,070,000

Pipes, tubes, etc. 34,000 216,000 34,300 254,000

Rods and bars 269,000 1,050,000 235,000 985,000

Scrap 527,000 930,000 471,000 803,000

Total 5,180,000 14,500,000 4,490,000 13,400,000

Manufactures:

Foil and leaf

3 141,000 600,000 127,000 586,000

Powders and flakes 6,320 31,200 9,480 42,600

Wire 197,000 571,000 194,000 598,000

Total 344,000 1,200,000 330,000 1,230,000

Grand total 5,530,000 15,700,000 4,820,000 14,600,000

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

3

Excludes etched capacitor foil.

2

Includes circles, disks, plates, and sheets.

Value

(thousands)

TABLE 10

U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF ALUMINUM, BY CLASS1

2006 2007
ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.17

Quantity Value Quantity Quantity Value Quantity

Country (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons)

2006:

Argentina 59,400 $155,000 129 $1,480 -- -- 59,500 $156,000

Australia 58,200 152,000 186 1,130 2,760 $6,560 61,100 160,000

Bahrain 76,000 208,000 15,100 46,400 -- -- 91,100 254,000

Belgium 216 727 7,860 36,400 122 242 8,200 37,400

Brazil 128,000 332,000 33,400 109,000 639 1,220 162,000 442,000

Canada 1,960,000 5,270,000 517,000 1,860,000 349,000 596,000 2,830,000 7,720,000

China 62,600 157,000 162,000 545,000 5 27 225,000 703,000

France 711 8,450 4,840 30,700 76 330 5,630 39,500

Germany 5,320 15,300 126,000 519,000 429 931 132,000 536,000

Italy 203 972 3,530 20,400 (3) 7 3,730 21,400

Japan 624 2,450 15,400 83,100 797 2,780 16,800 88,300

Korea, Republic of 872 2,780 2,880 12,500 195 383 3,950 15,700

Mexico 3,940 14,200 21,100 90,100 115,000 217,000 140,000 321,000

Netherlands 721 2,590 2,240 14,000 112 173 3,070 16,800

Norway 312 985 295 1,230 -- -- 607 2,220

Panama 93 194 298 1,100 3,130 6,430 3,520 7,720

Russia 660,000 1,670,000 51,500 192,000 8,360 19,000 720,000 1,880,000

Slovenia -- -- 4,170 16,000 -- -- 4,170 16,000

South Africa 80,000 201,000 54,300 169,000 -- -- 134,000 370,000

Spain 147 581 1,300 5,310 -- -- 1,450 5,890

Tajikstan 25,700 60,300 -- -- -- -- 25,700 60,300

United Arab Emirates 99,600 266,000 54 165 1,670 3,290 101,000 270,000

United Kingdom 32,600 81,400 6,220 45,500 1,750 2,930 40,500 130,000

Venezuela 133,000 314,000 17,200 49,700 2,850 6,170 153,000 370,000

Other 48,400 128,000 170,000 643,000 40,100 67,200 258,000 838,000

Total 3,440,000 9,040,000 1,220,000 4,490,000 527,000 931,000 5,180,000 14,500,000

2007:

Argentina 55,300 158,000 56 638 -- -- 55,400 159,000

Australia 55,700 159,000 98 903 2,730 7,380 58,500 167,000

Bahrain 36,100 106,000 18,100 62,800 -- -- 54,200 169,000

Belgium 94 370 11,700 63,700 14 25 11,800 64,100

Brazil 80,100 225,000 26,500 89,900 1 4 107,000 314,000

Canada 1,930,000 5,390,000 443,000 1,650,000 320,000 541,000 2,690,000 7,580,000

China 37,700 107,000 166,000 605,000 58 205 204,000 712,000

France 435 7,470 3,580 28,800 44 96 4,060 36,300

Germany 2,620 8,060 98,700 485,000 465 727 102,000 493,000

Italy 513 2,360 7,250 44,700 77 119 7,840 47,200

Japan 239 894 14,400 79,800 703 3,800 15,300 84,500

Korea, Republic of 2,510 7,910 2,940 14,200 69 182 5,510 22,300

Mexico 22,100 105,000 19,600 95,300 105,000 174,000 146,000 375,000

Netherlands 841 3,140 2,930 18,300 143 306 3,920 21,700

Norway 4,940 16,600 140 725 -- -- 5,080 17,300

Panama 20 38 10 42 3,450 6,850 3,480 6,930

Russia 434,000 1,200,000 55,900 241,000 1,660 3,900 492,000 1,440,000

Slovenia -- -- 3,940 18,700 -- -- 3,940 18,700

South Africa 62,500 164,000 47,800 176,000 -- -- 110,000 339,000

Spain 107 466 502 3,300 19 39 628 3,810

Tajikstan -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

United Arab Emirates 108,000 317,000 -- -- 18 90 108,000 317,000

United Kingdom 3,990 11,300 5,870 43,700 1,110 1,970 11,000 57,000

Venezuela 63,800 162,000 8,770 26,500 486 1,270 73,000 189,000

Other 48,600 140,000 132,000 569,000 34,800 60,700 215,000 770,000

Total 2,950,000 8,290,000 1,070,000 4,320,000 471,000 803,000 4,490,000 13,400,000

 -- Zero.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2

Includes circles, disks, pipes, rods, tubes, etc.

3

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

TABLE 11

U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF ALUMINUM, BY COUNTRY1

Metals and alloys, crude Scrap Total

Value

(thousands)

Plates, sheets, bars, etc.2

Value

(thousands)
5.18 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2007

Country 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Argentina 272 272 271 r 273 r 273 e

Australia 1,857 1,894 1,903 1,932 1,960

Azerbaijan 19 30 32 r 32 r 39

Bahrain 532 532 751 872 873 e

Bosnia and Herzegovina

3 113 121 131 136 r 144

Brazil 1,381 1,457 1,499 1,604 r 1,610 p

Cameroon 77 86 90 87 e 89

Canada 2,792 2,592 2,894 3,051 3,083 p

China

e 5,450 6,670 7,800 9,360 r 12,600

Egypt 195 216 244 252 258

France 443 451 442 442 r 428

Germany 661 668 648 516 r 551 e

Ghana 16 -- e 13 36 e 40 e

Greece 165 167 165 163 166

Hungary

e 34 r, 4 34 r 31 r 34 r --

Iceland

5 286 271 272 320 398

India

6 799 862 942 1,104 1,223

Indonesia

6 200 e 247 e 252 250 242

Iran 182 213 220 e 205 r, e 204 e

Italy 191 195 193 r 194 183

Japan7 66776 e

Montenegro 117 8 115 8 117 8 122 120 e

Mozambique 409 549 555 564 564 e

Netherlands 283 326 325 312 r 301

New Zealand 340 350 351 337 340 e

Norway 1,192 1,322 1,372 1,331 1,304

Poland

9 45 46 55 r 58 r 51

Romania

10 197 222 r 244 258 286

Russia 3,478 3,592 3,647 3,718 3,955

Serbia and Montenegro

3 -- r -- r -- r -- r --

Slovakia

6 165 r 175 r 158 180 r 161

Slovenia

3 110 121 139 140 125

South Africa 738 866 846 895 899

Spain 389 398 394 r 394 r 350 p

Sweden 101 101 102 101 98

Switzerland 44 45 45 12 r -- 4

Tajikistan 319 358 380 414 419

Turkey

e 63 60 60 60 60 e

Ukraine10 114 113 114 113 113

United Arab Emirates 560 683 722 e 789 r 890

United Kingdom 343 360 369 360 r 365

United States 2,703 2,516 2,481 2,284 2,554 p

Venezuela 601 624 615 610 e 610 e

 Total 28,000 29,900 31,900 33,900 r 37,900

4

Reported figure. 5

Ingot and rolling billet production.

materials as well that of any metal produced from either returned scrap or remelted materials." International reporting

TABLE 12

ALUMINUM, PRIMARY: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY1, 2

(Thousand metric tons)

e

Estimated. pPreliminary. rRevised. -- Zero. 1

World totals and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2

Primary aluminum is defined as "The weight of liquid aluminum as tapped from pots, excluding the weight of any alloying

practices vary from country to country, some nations conforming to the foregoing definition and others using different 

definitions. For those countries for which a different definition is given specifically in the source publication, that

definition is provided in this table by footnote. Table includes data available through May 5, 2008.

3

Primary ingot plus secondary ingot.

6

Primary ingot.
ALUMINUM—2007 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.19

TABLE 12—Continued

ALUMINUM, PRIMARY: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY1, 2

10Primary unalloyed metal plus primary alloyed metal, thus including weight of alloying material.

7

Excludes high purity aluminum containing 99.995% or more as follows, in metric tons: 2003—43,697; 2004—55,402; 

2005—45,413; 2006—49,667; and 2007—55,000 (estimated).

8

In June 2006, Montenegro and Serbia formally declared independence from each other and dissolved their union.

9

Primary unalloyed ingot plus secondary unalloyed ingot.