2010 Minerals Yearbook

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

ALUMINUM [ADVANCE RELEASE]

September 2011
ALUMINUM—2010 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.1

ALUMINUM

By E. Lee Bray

Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Glenn J. Wallace, statistical assistant, and the world production table was 

prepared by Lisa D. Miller, international data coordinator.

During 2010, domestic primary smelters produced 1.73 

million metric tons (Mt) of aluminum metal, the same as in 

2009, valued at $3.98 billion, 31% more than the value of the 

production in 2009. At yearend, fi ve companies were operating 

nine primary aluminum smelters in seven States. Smelters 

east of the Mississippi River accounted for about 71% of 

the production. An additional fi ve smelters were temporarily 

idle. Two other smelters that had been temporarily idle were 

permanently closed. About 56% [1.78 million metric tons per 

year (Mt/yr)] of domestic primary aluminum smelting capacity 

(table 2), including idle potlines at operating smelters, was not 

being used. 

Aluminum recovered from purchased scrap was essentially 

unchanged at 2.8 Mt. Of this recovered metal, 55% came from 

new (manufacturing) scrap, and 45% came from old (discarded 

aluminum products) scrap. Aluminum used beverage cans 

(UBCs) accounted for 48% of the reported old scrap consumed 

in 2010 and 21% of total scrap consumed.

Apparent consumption of aluminum increased by 4% 

compared with that in 2009. The United States and Canadian 

transportation industry accounted for 28.6% of metal shipments 

by United States and Canadian producers; containers and 

packaging, 22.4%; building and construction, 10.2%; electrical, 

7.1%; machinery and equipment, 7.1%; consumer durables, 

6.1%; and other uses, 3.1%. Exports accounted for 15.4% of 

shipments from producers in Canada and the United States in 

2010 (table 6). 

The 2010 annual average U.S. market price of primary 

aluminum ingot increased by 31% to $1.044 per pound from 

$0.794 per pound in 2009. The monthly average price fl uctuated 

between $0.934 per pound and $1.109 per pound during the fi rst 

9 months of 2010, before stabilizing at about $1.12 per pound 

during the fourth quarter of the year.

At yearend 2010, total (unwrought, scrap, in process metal, 

and semifabricated) world inventories of aluminum, as reported 

by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) (2011), were 13% 

higher than those at yearend 2009. Combined inventories of 

aluminum metal and alloys held by the London Metal Exchange 

Ltd. (LME) (2009; 2010), however, decreased by 8%.

Primary aluminum was produced in 42 countries in 2010. 

China, Russia, Canada, and Australia, in decreasing order of 

metal produced, accounted for 61% of total world production. 

World primary metal production increased by 11% compared 

with that of 2009 owing to increased production in China 

(3.3 Mt), the United Arab Emirates [390,000 metric tons (t)], 

Qatar (180,000 t), Russia (132,000 t), Germany (102,000 t), 

Kazakhstan (100,000 t), New Zealand (73,000 t), and several 

other nations. Commissioning of new smelters and brownfi eld 

expansions, as well as restarted capacity closed during the 

fi nancial crisis, accounted for the increased production. These 

increases were partially offset by decreased production of 

330,000 t in Norway, 75,000 t in Venezuela, 67,000 t in Canada, 

and 67,000 t in the United Kingdom, as older smelters were 

closed, and droughts limited hydroelectric power in some 

locations. The United States remained the 5th leading producer 

of primary aluminum. 

Production

Primary.—In June, Alcoa Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA) and workers 

represented by the United Steelworkers (USW) union ratifi ed 

a 4-year contract that addressed issues such as health care, pay 

increases, and workplace fl exibility. The contract covered 5,400 

hourly workers at 10 locations in the United States, including 

6 primary smelters at Alcoa, TN; Massena, NY (2); Rockdale, 

TX; Wenatchee, WA; and Warrick, IN. The previous 4-year 

contract had expired May 31, and work had continued without 

interruption at all locations during the negotiations (Alcoa Inc., 

2010b). 

In April, Alcoa announced that the temporary closures of 

the Badin, NC, and Frederick, MD, smelters would be made 

permanent, and the sites would be remediated. The Badin 

smelter was fi rst opened in 1916 and last operated in August 

2002. It had a capacity of 120,000 metric tons per year (t/yr) of 

aluminum. The Frederick smelter, which began production in 

1970, had a capacity of 195,000 t/yr when it closed in December 

2005. High power prices were cited as reasons for initial closure 

of both smelters, and subsequent efforts to obtain long-term 

power contracts at competitive prices were unsuccessful (Alcoa 

Inc., 2010c).

A 5-year labor contract between Century Aluminum 

Co. (Monterey, CA) and more than 540 hourly employees 

represented by the USW at the 244,000-t/yr smelter in 

Hawesville, KY, was ratifi ed on December 23 (Century 

Aluminum Co., 2010c). Production had continued since the 

previous contract expired on March 31. Prior to the contract 

ratifi cation, Century announced that it would restart a potline 

that was closed in March 2009 when prices and demand for 

aluminum had declined. The restart was to be completed by 

the end of March 2011 and would restore full production at the 

smelter (Century Aluminum Co., 2010a).

Ormet Corp. restarted two potlines at its 265,000-t/yr smelter 

in Hannibal, OH, at the end of November. The restart of the 

potlines was expected to be completed in the fi rst quarter of 

2011 and bring production at the smelter to full capacity (Ormet 

Corp., 2010). One of the potlines was shut down in May 2009, 

and the other was shut down in August as a result of a disputed 

alumina supply agreement with its previous supplier, Glencore 

International AG. 

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. (Franklin, TN) returned 

the New Madrid, MO, smelter to full capacity in March after it 

shut down during a power failure caused by a storm in January 
5.2 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

2009. About 75% of the smelter’s capacity was shut down, and 

restart of the potlines began in early 2009 and continued through 

the fi rst quarter of 2010 (Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp., 

2010b).

A project to expand the New Madrid smelter capacity to 

266,000 t/yr from 250,000 t/yr resumed in September. The 

project, which had initially started in mid-2008 but was put on 

hold in early 2009 during the fi nancial crisis, was expected to 

be completed by the beginning of 2013 (Noranda Aluminum 

Holding Corp., 2010a).

Secondary.—In March, Alcoa completed a 50% expansion 

of its UBC recycling facility in Alcoa, TN. The project, which 

included a new crusher, delacquering furnace, and emissions 

control systems, was part of Alcoa’s efforts to increase recycling 

of UBCs in the United States (Alcoa Inc., 2010a). Work on 

the project started in December 2007 and had been originally 

planned for completion in 2009, but construction was slowed 

during the global fi nancial crisis. 

In September, a fi re at Alcoa’s Knoxville, TN, plant forced a 

several-week shutdown of its rolling mill. The rolling mill had 

a capacity of 500,000 t/yr and produced mostly can sheet. Other 

parts of the plant were not affected and continued production 

(American Metal Market, 2010b). 

In July, Aleris International Inc. restarted production at its 

Coldwater South secondary smelter in Coldwater, MI. The 

smelter had a capacity of approximately 130,000 t/yr of alloys 

commonly used for manufacturing automotive parts. The 

smelter had shut down in May 2009 owing to a cutback in 

automobile manufacturing (Platts Metals Week, 2010c). 

Bermco Aluminum Co. (Birmingham, AL) announced 

plans to relocate its secondary smelter from Birmingham, AL, 

to Lincoln, AL. The new smelter would have a capacity of 

110,000 t/yr compared with the current location’s capacity of 

55,000 t/yr. The smelter produced diecast and foundry alloys 

used by automobile parts manufacturers and other consumers. 

Construction was planned to start in mid-2011, and full 

production was expected by mid-2012 (Platts Metals Week, 

2010e). 

Logan Aluminum Inc. (a joint venture between Arco 

Aluminum Inc. and Novelis Inc.) installed support equipment 

for a furnace at its UBC recycling facility and rolling mill in 

Russelville, KY. Briquetters to compress shredded UBCs were 

installed to increase the operational effi ciency of the furnace that 

was started up in 2008, which produced approximately 65,000 

t/yr of metal from UBCs and other scrap without generating salt 

cake (Light Metal Age, 2010). 

Sapa Extrusions Ltd. planned to build a billet casting facility 

at its Cressona, PA, extrusion plant by September 2011. The 

casting pit would have a capacity of 545,000 t/yr of billet, 

produced mainly from scrap. Increasing demand for extruded 

aluminum products and tight supplies of extrusion billet were 

cited as reasons for the expansion (Platts Metals Week, 2010g). 

Skana Aluminum Co. (Manitowoc, WI) reopened a rolling 

mill with two rebuilt furnaces in July. The plant, formerly 

owned by Koenig and Vits Inc., shut down in May 2009 amid 

fi nancial troubles leading to an asset sale in bankruptcy. At 

capacity, the plant was expected to produce 30,000 t/yr of sheet 

for cookware and automotive parts manufactured from scrap 

(Mason, 2010).

Spectro Alloys Corp. (Rochester, MN) replaced a damaged 

65,000-t/yr furnace that was taken out of service early in the 

year. The new furnace had a capacity of approximately 52,000 

t/yr and was put into operation in July. The secondary smelter 

produced alloys used by the automobile industry and other 

consumers (American Metal Market, 2010c). 

Consumption

Apparent consumption of aluminum in the United States 

increased by 4% in 2010 compared with that in 2009. 

Shipments of aluminum by United States and Canadian 

producers to their combined domestic markets increased by 

22% in 2010 compared with the amount shipped in 2009. 

Shipments of aluminum for containers and packaging in 2010 

increased slightly compared with those in 2009. Shipments 

to the transportation sector increased by 46%, building and 

construction by 4%, consumer durables by 31%, electrical by 

18%, and the machinery sector by 47%.

The increase in shipments of aluminum to the transportation 

sector resulted primarily from an expansion of automobile 

production. Manufacturing of light vehicles in North America 

increased by 39% in 2010 compared with production in 2009, 

and in the United States, increased by 35% to 7.58 million units 

from 5.61 million units. Production in the fi rst half of 2009 had 

been signifi cantly reduced by extended shutdowns as a result 

of the bankruptcies of General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group 

LLC (CSM Worldwide Inc., 2010; IHS Automotive Inc., 2011).

The Boeing Co. (Chicago, IL) reported that its deliveries of 

commercial aircraft were 4% lower than in 2009 owing to a 

decline in deliveries of wide-body models. Deliveries of the 

single-aisle 737 aircraft increased slightly as airlines continued 

to replace older aircraft with more fuel effi cient models (Boeing 

Co., The, 2011, p. 24).

The decrease in aluminum shipments for use in building 

and construction was a result of reduced nonresidential and 

residential construction. The U.S. Census Bureau and the 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly 

reported that housing starts were up by 6.1% in 2010 compared 

with starts in 2009. The number of houses completed, however, 

was 17.7% fewer than in 2009 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b). 

Spending on nonresidential construction during 2010 decreased 

by 13.9% compared with that in 2009. Total construction 

spending during 2010 was down 10.3% compared with that in 

2009 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011a).

Stocks

According to data reported by the Aluminum Association 

Inc. (2011), United States and Canadian producers’ combined 

inventories of aluminum ingot, mill products, and scrap 

increased by 8% to 1.01 Mt at yearend 2010 from 937,000 t at 

yearend 2009. The LME reported that primary aluminum metal 

ingot stocks at its U.S. warehouses increased by 3% to 2.09 

Mt at yearend 2010 from 2.02 Mt at yearend 2009. At yearend 

2010, LME warehouses in the United States also held about 

70,000 t of North American special aluminum alloy contract 

(NASAAC) metal ingot, a 61% decrease from the 180,000 t held 

at yearend 2009 (London Metal Exchange Ltd., 2009, 2010). 
ALUMINUM—2010 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.3

Prices

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

metal, as reported by Platts Metals Week, started the year at 

$1.069 per pound of aluminum and fl uctuated between $0.934 

per pound and $1.109 per pound until October. The monthly 

average price was about $1.12 per pound in each of the past 3 

months of the year. The annual average price in 2010 increased 

to $1.044 per pound from $0.794 per pound in 2009. The 

LME monthly average cash prices for primary aluminum ingot 

followed the same general trend as the U.S. market price, and 

the 2010 annual average LME cash price increased to $0.986 

per pound from $0.755 per pound in 2009. The indicator prices 

for selected secondary aluminum ingots and scrap, as published 

in American Metal Market, followed the same trend as primary 

ingot prices (table 8). 

Foreign Trade

In 2010, total net imports of aluminum-base materials 

decreased by 20% compared with net imports in 2009 (tables 9 

and 11). Imports for consumption of crude aluminum decreased 

by 9%, while imports of semifabricated aluminum materials 

(plates, sheet, and bars) increased by 23%, and scrap imports 

increased by 16% compared with those of 2009. Canada 

remained the leading source country, accounting for 63% of the 

total (crude, semifabricated, and scrap) imports in 2010, while 

China (7%) and Russia (5%) were the second and third ranked 

suppliers (table 12). 

Exports of crude aluminum (metal and alloys) increased by 

8% and exports of semifabricated aluminum materials increased 

by 7% compared with those of 2009. Net exports of 1.41 Mt 

of scrap increased by 15% compared with the amount in 2009. 

About 79% of total U.S. exports of unmanufactured aluminum 

(crude, semifabricated, and scrap) in 2010 was collectively 

shipped to China, Canada, and Mexico. The aluminum shipped 

to China was 97% scrap (table 10).

Mergers and Acquisitions 

Norsk Hydro ASA (Oslo, Norway) and Vale SA (Rio de 

Janeiro, Brazil) announced a deal in May in which Norsk Hydro 

would purchase Vale’s bauxite, alumina, and aluminum assets 

in Brazil in exchange for $1.1 billion in cash plus $3.8 billion 

in stock of Norsk Hydro. As a result of the transaction, Vale 

would own 22% of Norsk Hydro; Norsk Hydro would own 51% 

of the 460,000-t/yr Albras smelter; and Norsk Hydro would 

increase its share of the 6.3-Mt/yr Alunorte refi nery to 91% from 

34% and of the 1.86-Mt/yr Companhia de Alumina do Para 

refi nery project to 81% from 20%. Norsk Hydro would also 

gain ownership of 60% of the Paragominas bauxite mine (9.9 

Mt/yr capacity) with an option to purchase the remaining 40% 

of the mine by yearend 2015 (Norsk Hydro ASA, 2010d; Platts 

Metals Week, 2010f). The companies had planned to complete 

the transaction by yearend but closing was delayed until early in 

2011 awaiting regulatory approval (Norsk Hydro ASA, 2010g). 

In a separate transaction, Norsk Hydro acquired full control of 

a secondary smelter in Taiwan when it acquired Formosa Alloy 

Materials Co.’s 15.1% share. The 75,000-t/yr smelter produced 

extrusion billet sold mostly in Asia, but also exported billet to 

Norsk Hydro customers in the United States (Norsk Hydro ASA, 

2010c). Aleris emerged from chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 1. 

The secondary smelter and rolling mill company had fi led 

for bankruptcy protection February 12, 2009, citing fi nancial 

pressures and declining demand and prices for its products amid 

the global fi nancial crisis. A consortium of creditors, led by 

private equity fi rms Apollo Management, L.P., Oaktree Capital 

Management, L.P., and Sankaty Advisors, LLC, took ownership 

of the company (Aleris International Inc., 2010). The company 

continued to operate during the bankruptcy proceedings under 

terms of a debtor-in-possession fi nancing agreement approved 

in 2009.

World Industry Structure

Production.—World primary aluminum production increased 

by 11% in 2010 compared with that of 2009 owing to smelter 

reopenings and expansions as prices recovered from the lows 

during the fi nancial crisis. China was the leading producer and 

accounted for 40% of global production. China, Russia, Canada, 

and Australia, in decreasing order of production, accounted for 

61% of total world primary aluminum production. 

During the fourth quarter of 2008 and early 2009, many 

primary smelters announced shutdowns in response to declining 

prices, as demand for aluminum receded in the face of the 

fi nancial crisis. Throughout 2010, most of these shutdowns 

were continued, although several restarts were announced in the 

second half of the year. 

Stocks.—As aluminum demand increased and prices 

recovered from the lows during the fi nancial crisis in 2009, 

aluminum inventories stabilized during the fourth quarter 

of 2010. Unwrought aluminum inventories held by member 

producers of the IAI increased by 16% to 1.40 Mt at yearend 

2010 from 1.21 Mt at yearend 2009. Unwrought aluminum 

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

from primary metal or from scrap and that is metallurgically 

unworked. Total IAI aluminum inventories increased by 13% to 

2.52 Mt at yearend 2010 from 2.23 Mt at yearend 2009. Total 

aluminum includes unwrought aluminum plus unprocessed 

scrap, metal in process, and fi nished semifabricated (mill) 

products (International Aluminium Institute, 2011). 

Yearend 2010 inventories of primary aluminum metal held by 

the LME decreased by 8% to 4.27 Mt from 4.62 Mt at yearend 

2009, aluminum alloy inventories decreased by 17% to 70,000 t 

from 84,500 t, and NASAAC ingot inventories decreased by 

26% to 134,000 t from 180,000 t (London Metal Exchange Ltd., 

2009, 2010).

Primary aluminum metal ingot stocks at U.S. LME 

warehouses increased by 3% to 2.09 Mt at yearend 2010 from 

2.02 Mt at yearend 2009. At yearend 2010, LME warehouses in 

the United States also held about 134,000 t of NASAAC metal 

ingot, a 26% decrease from the 180,000 t held at yearend 2009 

(London Metal Exchange Ltd., 2009, 2010).

World Review

Argentina.—Aluminio Argentino S.A.I.C. (Aluar) started 

production in July from 24 new pots that were part of an 

expansion of its smelter. A total of 72 new pots were included in 
5.4 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

the expansion and would bring smelting capacity to 425,000 t/yr 

from 410,000 t/yr by 2011 (Platts Metals Week, 2010d). 

Australia.—The Australian Government announced it was 

deferring implementation of a cap-and-trade program aimed 

at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal was 

withdrawn in April because of a lack of agreement in Parliament 

(Australian Department of Climate Change, 2010). The proposal 

would have included provisions for the aluminum industry and 

other emission-intensive industries to mitigate the costs during 

the fi rst several years of implementation.

A power supply contract was reached in November between 

Tomago Aluminium Co. Pty. Ltd. and Macquarie Generation 

Pty. Ltd. The new contract would start when the current contract 

expires in 2017 and last until 2028. The Tomago smelter was 

a joint venture between Rio Tinto (52%), Gove Aluminium 

Finance Ltd. (36%), and Norsk Hydro (12%) and had a 

capacity of 528,000 t/yr. The smelter operator was discussing 

opportunities to sell molten aluminum to manufacturers 

considering building facilities near the smelter (Norsk Hydro 

ASA, 2010j).

Alcoa of Australia Ltd. and Loy Yang Power Ltd. signed 

long-term power contracts for the Point Henry and Portland 

smelters. A total of 820 megawatts (MW) would be provided to 

the two smelters through 2036. The contract for the Point Henry 

smelter would start in 2014 and the contract for the Portland 

smelter would start in 2016, when the current contracts expire. 

The Point Henry smelter had a capacity of 190,000 t/yr, and the 

capacity of the Portland smelter was 358,000 t/yr. The contracts 

provided for increased power supplies in the event of expansion 

of the smelters (Alcoa Inc., 2010f).

Bahrain.—Aluminum Bahrain Ltd. (Alba) was planning 

to expand production capacity by adding more pots to two of 

its fi ve potlines and optimizing the power effi ciency of those 

potlines. The project would increase capacity of the smelter to 

970,000 t/yr from 870,000 t/yr. The project would be completed 

by yearend 2012, although specifi c plans were not released. 

Alba also was planning an additional potline for completion by 

yearend 2014. The capacity of the proposed new potline would 

be 400,000 t/yr and would bring total capacity of the smelter to 

1.37 Mt/yr when completed (Platts Metals Week, 2010a). 

Bosnia and Herzegovina.—Aluminij d.d. Mostar restarted 

approximately 35,000 t/yr of capacity at its 135,000-t/yr smelter 

during the fi rst quarter. The smelter had shut down the capacity 

in early 2009 in response to falling demand and prices for 

aluminum (CRU Aluminium Monitor, 2010b). 

Brazil.—Novelis Inc. (a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries 

Ltd.) closed its 60,000-t/yr primary smelter at Aratu at yearend. 

Novelis cited low prices, high operating costs from logistical 

issues with the smelter’s location, high-priced power, outdated 

technology, and its small size as reasons for closing (Novelis 

Inc., 2010).

Brazil recycled 98.2% of all aluminum beverage cans sold in 

the country during 2009. Brazil collected and recycled 198,800 

t of UBCs, the equivalent of 14.7 billion aluminum cans. For 

the ninth consecutive year, Brazil had the highest aluminum 

can recycling rate among countries that do not have mandatory 

recycling laws. Sales of aluminum beverage cans increased 

by 12% during 2010 compared with the number sold during 

2009, and the volume of UBCs collected increased by 19.9% 

compared with that of 2009 (Associação Brasileira do Alumínio, 

2010).

Canada.—One-half of the 235,000-t/yr smelter in Laterriere, 

Quebec, was shut down from July through September after the 

failure of two electrical transformers in July (Rio Tinto plc, 

2010a).

Rio Tinto was moving forward with construction of a new 

smelter in Saguenay, Quebec, although progress had been 

slowed during the fi nancial crisis. The fi rst phase of smelter 

operation would be in early 2013, with a capacity of 60,000 t/yr. 

Additional potlines were planned that would bring total capacity 

of the smelter to 460,000 t/yr, although a project schedule was 

not available (Rio Tinto plc, 2010b).

The Kitimat smelter modernization project that was delayed 

during the fi nancial crisis was also progressing. When 

completed, the capacity of the Kitimat smelter would increase 

to 420,000 t/yr from 277,000 t/yr. New prebaked pots would 

replace the Soderberg pots to increase effi ciency and reduce 

emissions (Rio Tinto plc, 2010b). In preparation for expansion 

of the smelter, two potlines with a combined capacity of 67,000 

t/yr were permanently shut down, and demolition begun in 

August (Riley, 2010b; Rio Tinto plc, 2010c, p. 7, 15).

China.—Primary aluminum production in China increased 

by 26% compared with that in 2009. Capacity expansions and 

restarts of temporary closures outweighed closures of ineffi cient 

smelters and from reduced output during power reductions at 

others (table 13). 

The Government ordered that preferential power rates be 

discontinued to energy-intensive sectors including primary 

aluminum smelters in several provinces by mid-June. The 

Government also ordered highly polluting or ineffi cient smelters 

to be shut down. The policy was aimed at reducing energy 

consumption and pollution in fast growing provinces of China. 

Other industries affected by the order included ferroalloys, 

magnesium, silicon, and titanium (Wong, 2010).

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology 

announced that obsolete potlines, having a combined capacity of 

422,000 t/yr, at 15 smelters would be permanently closed by the 

end of September. In Shanxi Province the affected smelters were 

Shanxi Zhenxing Aluminum Co. Ltd. (20,000 t/yr), Taiyuan 

East Aluminum Co. Ltd. (15,000 t/yr), Hanzhou Zinc Industrial 

Special Material Co. Ltd. (7,210 t/yr), and Shanxi Jinxin 

Aluminum Co. Ltd. (7,000 t/yr). In Shandong Province, affected 

smelters were Shandong Aluminum Co. Ltd. (20,000 t/yr) and 

Zibo Aluminum Co. Ltd. (10,000 t/yr). In Henan Province, 

the policy applied to Chinalco Henan Branch (60,000 t/yr), 

Sanmenxia Tianyuan Aluminum Co. Ltd. (30,000 t/yr), Qin’ao 

Aluminum Co. Ltd. (20,000 t/yr), and Western Aluminum Co. 

Ltd. (2,500 t/yr). In Hunan Province, 60,000 t/yr of capacity at 

the Hunan Maoerkou Aluminum Smelter Co. Ltd. was closed. 

Affected smelters in Guizhou Province were the Shuangpai 

Aluminum Co. Ltd. (50,000 t/yr) and the Guiyang Jinyuan 

Aluminum Co. Ltd. (30,000 t/yr). Chinalco’s Liancheng branch 

closed 40,000 t/yr of capacity in Gansu Province. In Qinghai 

Province, Qinghai Products and Industry Investment Co. Ltd. 

closed 50,000 t/yr of capacity. The pots closed had amperages of 

100 kilo amps (KA) or less, considered to be less effi cient than 

newer potline designs that have amperages of 300 KA or greater. 
ALUMINUM—2010 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.5

The potlines included Soderberg and prebaked pot designs, and 

many of the potlines were shutdown prior to the policy being 

announced (China Metal Market—Alumina & Aluminum, 

2010b).

In September, the government of Guangxi Zhuang 

Autonomous Region announced strict regulations on expansion 

of energy- and emissions-intensive industries, including primary 

aluminum smelting. Other industries included were copper, 

lead, iron and steel, and zinc. Power supplies to these industries 

were also cut at the beginning of September, resulting in some 

production cuts. New smelters would not be approved for at 

least 1 year (China Metal Market—Alumina & Aluminum, 

2010h, i). The provincial government of Inner Mongolia also 

announced similar policies, including the closure of 800,000 t/yr 

of capacity at smelters with outdated or ineffi cient technology. 

A moratorium on new smelter construction until 2011 was 

part of the policy (CRU Aluminium Monitor, 2010b). Hebei, 

Jiangsu, Shandong, Shanxi, and Zhejiang Provinces were also 

implementing power restrictions to aluminum smelters and 

other power intensive industries starting in July (China Metal 

Market—Alumina & Aluminum, 2010l). 

In order to decrease energy consumption, the Henan 

Provincial government ordered smelters to shut down outdated 

and ineffi cient capacity. A total of 720,000 t/yr of capacity was 

affected by the ordered shutdown. All pots using less than 160 

kilo amps (KA) were to be shut down. Thirty percent of the 

pots in the Province with amperage of 180 to 300 KA were to 

be shut down on a rotational basis. Other industries including 

calcium carbide, caustic soda, ferroalloys, iron and steel, and 

polycrystalline silicon were also affected by the policy to 

reduce power consumption (China Metal Market—Alumina & 

Aluminum, 2010k). In Qinghai Province, the continuation of a 

similar policy shut down 50,000 t/yr of obsolete potlines during 

the year. Since 2006, 165,000 t/yr of capacity had been shut 

down because of the policy. Other potlines were being evaluated 

to determine if they would be forced to shut down (China Metal 

Market—Alumina & Aluminum, 2010n). Zunyi, Guizhou 

Province, cut power supplies by one-half to three smelters 

in the city at the end of August because of power shortages 

and to decrease pollution. The smelters were owned by Zunyi 

Aluminum Co. Ltd., Zunyi Yulong Aluminum Co. Ltd., and 

Zunyi Weiming Aluminum Co. Ltd., which had a combined 

capacity of 420,000 t/yr (China Metal Market—Alumina & 

Aluminum, 2010j). Chiping Xinfa Aluminum Co. Ltd. was 

ordered to shut down approximately 200,000 t/yr of aluminum 

capacity and 320,000 t/yr of alumina capacity at its smelter and 

refi nery, respectively, in Liaochen, Shangdong Province. The 

order was issued in July, and the closures were implemented 

during the third quarter (China Metal Market—Alumina & 

Aluminum, 2010f).

By early January, Aluminum Corp. of China (Chinalco) 

restarted all capacity at its primary smelters that had been shut 

down during fourth quarter of 2008 and fi rst quarter of 2009 

(CRU Aluminium Monitor, 2010a). Chinalco also announced 

it would phase out ineffi cient capacity of aluminum smelters 

and alumina refi neries by 2011. The permanent closures would 

involve more than 330,000 t/yr of smelting capacity (CRU 

Aluminium Monitor, 2010e).

Among the outdated pots being decommissioned by Chinalco 

was 20,000 t/yr of capacity at the 100,000-t/yr Shandong 

smelter. Dismantling of the pots started in September (CRU 

Aluminium Monitor, 2010f). Chinalco also shut down a 

176-potline at its Liancheng smelter in Liancheng, Gansu 

Province in October because its outdated technology was not 

profi table. The smelter had been commissioned in 2005 (China 

Metal Market—Alumina & Aluminum, 2010e). In the fourth 

quarter, Sichuan Meishan Aostar Aluminum Co. Ltd. shut down 

50 pots, accounting for about 38,000 t/yr of capacity of the 

250,000-t/yr smelter. Increasing prices for power and declining 

aluminum prices were cited for the closure. Earlier in the year, 

the smelter had restarted some capacity that had been shut down 

in late 2008 and early 2009 (China Metal Market—Alumina & 

Aluminum, 2010p, q). 

A transformer fi re at the 270,000-t/yr Yichuan Ningdong 

smelter in Ningxia Autonomous Region in November forced a 

shutdown. A restart was not expected until early to mid-2011 

(CRU Aluminium Monitor, 2010g). 

Qinao Aluminum Co. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Shenhuo Group) 

commissioned a 160,000-t/yr smelter in Qinyang, Henan 

Province (China Metal Market—Alumina & Aluminum, 2010o). 

During the fi rst quarter of the year, Meishan Aluminium Co. 

restarted all capacity that had been shut down during the fourth 

quarter of 2008. Higher prices and increasing demand enabled 

the restart (CRU Aluminium Monitor, 2010c). 

Chinalco was progressing on several expansions that would 

add 850,000 t/yr of smelter capacity. Construction of an 

expansion to 550,000 t/yr from 150,000 t/yr at the Guangxi 

smelter in Pingguo began in November. The project included 

an expansion of the adjacent alumina refi nery that would 

increase capacity to 2.5 Mt/yr from 2 Mt/yr. The refi nery would 

also attempt to recover iron oxide from the red mud, with an 

expected 220,000 t/yr of iron oxides to be recovered (China 

Metal Market—Alumina and Aluminum, 2010c). Expansion of 

the Liancheng smelter, expected to be completed in 2011, would 

add 380,000 t/yr of capacity, and at the Gansu Hualu smelter, 

70,000 t/yr of capacity and an upgrade to the carbon anode 

furnace were expected to be completed in 2011 (China Metal 

Market—Alumina & Aluminum, 2010d). 

In May, Sichuan Aba Aluminum Smelter Co. Ltd. (a 

subsidiary of Chongqing Bosai Mining Group) started 

production from an expansion project in Wenchuan, Sichuan 

Province, that increased capacity to 200,000 t/yr from 110,000 

t/yr. Bosai was also constructing an extrusion plant near the 

smelter to produce value-added products (China Metal Market—

Alumina & Aluminum, 2010a). Vimetco NV commissioned the 

fi rst two phases of the 250,000-t/yr Linfeng smelter during 2010 

and had completed the third phase by yearend. The third phase, 

with a capacity of 80,000 t/yr, was expected to start production 

in early 2011 (Vimetco NV, 2011). Kaiman Aluminum Co. 

started production from a new 350,000-t/yr smelter in August. 

The company, previously known as Coalmine Aluminum Co., 

operated a 1.8-Mt/yr alumina refi nery (Platts Metals Daily, 

2010).

Dongyuan Qujing Aluminum Co. Ltd. completed two 

expansions to its smelter in Qujing, Yunnan Province, during the 

year that increased the smelter’s capacity to 380,000 t/yr from 

230,000 t/yr (China Metal Market—Alumina & Aluminum, 
5.6 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

2010g). In the western part of China, Xinjiang Wujiaqu Coal 

& Power Co. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Shandong Chiping Xinfa 

Group) completed a new smelter with a capacity of 370,000 t/yr 

and started production in July. A plan to increase capacity of 

the smelter to 1.6 Mt/yr was being studied. The project also 

included a captive powerplant using coal mined near the smelter 

(China Metal Market—Alumina & Aluminum, 2010r). Jinning 

Aluminum Magnesium New Type Material Co. Ltd. started 

production from its new smelter in June. The smelter had a 

capacity of 350,000 t/yr and was located in Zhongning county, 

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Expansion of the smelter 

to 1.2 Mt/yr was planned (China Metal Market—Alumina & 

Aluminum, 2010m).

Germany.—During the fi rst half of the year, Trimet 

Aluminium AG restarted 15,000 t/yr of capacity at its 170,000-

t/yr Essen smelter and 40,000 t/yr of capacity at the 132,000-t/yr 

Hamburg smelter that had closed in early 2009. Trimet had 

closed 50,000 t/yr of capacity at the Essen smelter but then 

restarted 35,000 t/yr of capacity in late 2009. The restarts 

brought production at both smelters back to full capacity (Trimet 

Aluminium AG, 2010).

Iceland.—Rio Tinto announced plans to modernize and 

expand capacity of the ISAL smelter in Straumsvik. The 

capacity of the smelter would increase to 230,000 t/yr from 

190,000 t/yr. The project was expected to be started in April 

2012 and be completed by July 2014. The expansion plan 

was made in conjunction with a long-term power agreement 

(October 2010 through 2036) with the utility, Landsvirjun (Rio 

Tinto Alcan Inc., 2010).

Century anticipated restarting construction on the Helguvik 

smelter by mid-2011 and was awaiting fi nal permits. The project 

was delayed during the fi nancial crisis in late 2008. Once 

completed, the smelter would have a production capacity of 

360,000 t/yr (Century Aluminum Co., 2010b).

India.—Vedanta Resources plc completed expansion of the 

Jharsuguda I smelter to 500,000 t/yr from 250,000 t/yr. A power 

failure in April damaged 171 pots, which were repaired during 

the year (Vedanta Resources plc, 2010b).

Because of delays in obtaining a mining permit at the 

Niyamgri bauxite mine, construction of two smelters was 

temporarily delayed. The 325,000-t/yr Korba III smelter had 

been progressing towards initial production in the fi rst quarter 

of 2011 and completion in September 2011. The 125,000-t/yr 

Jharsuguda II smelter would have been completed in September 

2012. Revised completion dates for both projects were not 

announced (Vedanta Resources plc, 2010a, p. 31, 39; 2010c).

A power failure caused by lightning shut down production 

at Hindalco’s Hirakud smelter in early July. Full production 

was expected to be restored during the fi rst quarter of 2011. 

Expansion of the smelter to 161,000 t/yr from 155,000 t/yr was 

expected to be completed in early 2011. Another expansion to 

increase capacity to 213,000 t/yr was expected to be completed 

in March 2012, and a further expansion to 360,000 t/yr was 

being considered. Construction of the 359,000-t/yr Mahan 

smelter and 900-MW captive powerplant was expected to be 

completed in September 2011. Completion of the 359,000-t/yr 

Aditya smelter and 900-MW captive powerplant was projected 

for October 2011. Acquisition of land and environmental 

permits for the proposed 359,000-t/yr Jharkhand smelter and 

900-MW captive powerplant was progressing again after having 

been deferred in 2009. Completion of the project was planned 

for 2013 (Hindalco Industries Ltd., 2010).

Iran.—Hormzal Aluminum Ltd. commissioned a 147,000-t/yr 

smelter in Bandar Abbas during the fi rst quarter of the year 

(CRU Aluminium Monitor, 2010c). 

Italy.—Alcoa temporarily closed the Fusina smelter in May. 

Plans to close the 44,000-t/yr smelter and the 150,000-t/yr 

Portovesme smelter were announced in November 2009 in 

response to a ruling by the European Commission that power 

contracts between Alcoa and the Italian Government were 

out of compliance with European Union regulations. Alcoa 

delayed the closures while the ruling was being appealed and 

negotiations for power contracts were being made with the 

Italian Government. The Portovesme smelter was continuing to 

operate (Alcoa Inc., 2010d, p. 2; Kovalyova, 2010).

Kazakhstan.—Construction on an expansion to increase 

capacity to 250,000 t/yr from 125,000 t/yr at the Pavlodar 

smelter was completed in May, and all of the new pots 

were producing by midyear. An anode plant was also under 

construction, with completion expected in 2011 (CRU 

Aluminium Monitor, 2010d; Eurasian Natural Resources Group 

Inc., 2010).

Montenegro.—Central European Aluminum Co. continued 

with a modernization project of the Podgorica smelter and 

alumina refi nery. Although originally planned for completion 

by yearend, some work was delayed for completion to early 

2011. Capacity of the smelter would increase to 156,000 t/

yr from 120,000 t/yr, and capacity of the alumina refi nery 

would increase to 400,000 t/yr from 280,000 t/yr. During the 

year, about 100 pots which had been shut down because of the 

price decline during 2008 and 2009 were restarted. These pots 

accounted for approximately 40,000 t/yr of capacity and bring 

operating capacity to 130,000 t/yr (Central European Aluminum 

Co., 2010a; b).

New Zealand.—In December, Rio Tinto cut production at 

its 350,000-t/yr Tiwai Point smelter by 18,000 t/yr because of 

rising spot market prices for electricity (10% of the smelter’s 

power was purchased on the spot market). Shipments of billet 

to the United States were not expected to be affected. Earlier 

in the year, Rio Tinto had increased billet production to supply 

customers on the west coast of the United States because of 

strong demand by extruders (American Metal Market, 2010d; 

Riley, 2010a).

Norway.—Norsk Hydro announced plans to construct a 

recycling plant at Karmoy, on the site of the Soderberg potline, 

which had been decommissioned in March 2009. Two furnaces 

would be built, each with a capacity of 35,000 t/yr. Casting of 

the molten metal would take place in the casthouse used by the 

primary smelter. Construction of the fi rst furnace was expected 

to begin in early 2011, with operation starting in summer 2012 

(Norsk Hydro ASA, 2010e).

Norsk Hydro was planning to make investments to modernize 

and expand production of hydroelectric power in Norway. 

Norsk Hydro had ownership in fi ve primary aluminum smelters 

in Norway, with a combined capacity of almost 950,000 t/yr, 

that were powered by its system of hydroelectric powerplants. 
ALUMINUM—2010 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.7

Construction began on an expansion project at the Holsbru 

powerplant in August that would increase capacity by 84 

gigawatts (GW). Other projects included expansion of the 

Ilvatn powerplant by 113 GW (2012 to 2015), construction of a 

98-GW powerplant at Oyane (2012 to 2014), and modernization 

projects of fi ve powerplants in the Rjukan region (2011 to 2015) 

(Norsk Hydro ASA, 2010a, b, f).

Qatar.—A power failure on August 9 forced the shutdown 

of 444 pots at the Qatar Aluminium Ltd. (Qatalum) smelter in 

Qatar. The 585,000-t/yr smelter, which was commissioned in 

December 2009, was still in the ramp-up process at the time of 

the shutdown. The smelter was expected to reach full production 

by the end of March 2011. Qatalum was a joint venture between 

Qatar Petroleum Ltd. (Doha, Qatar) and Norsk Hydro (Norsk 

Hydro ASA, 2010h, i).

Romania.—Vimetco restarted 35,000 t/yr of 60,000 t/yr of 

capacity idled in early 2009 at the 300,000-t/yr Slatina smelter. 

The restart of the pots brought operating capacity to 275,000 t/yr 

(Vimetco NV, 2011). 

Russia.—United Company Rusal restarted an idle potline at 

the 318,000-t/yr Novokuznetsk smelter in the fi rst quarter of the 

year. Approximately one-quarter of the smelting capacity was 

shut down in March 2009 (United Company RUSAL, 2010a). 

Rusal also increased production from 950,000 t/yr to 980,000 

t/yr, at the 1-Mt/yr Krasnoyarsk smelter. Minor increases 

in production at the Kandalaksha, Nadvoitsy, Sayanogorsk, 

Volgograd, and Volkhov smelters also took place during the year 

(United Company RUSAL, 2011a, p. 16 and 32).

Rusal commissioned a new potline at the Irkutsk smelter in 

April that increased capacity to 460,000 t/yr from 300,000 t/yr. 

Other investments at the smelter included a new casthouse and 

an emissions control system (United Company RUSAL, 2010b). 

Rusal obtained fi nancing and planned to resume construction 

of the Boguchanskaya smelter and hydroelectric powerplant 

in early 2011, with completion expected sometime in 2013. 

When completed, the smelter was expected to have a capacity 

of 600,000 t/yr. Construction of the 750,000-t/yr Taishet smelter 

was scheduled to resume in 2011 after being put on hold in 2009 

(United Company RUSAL, 2011b).

Saudi Arabia.—In October, Saudi Arabian Mining Co. 

(Ma’aden) and Alcoa began construction of the 740,000-t/yr 

Raz as Zawr smelter and 380,000 t/yr rolling mill. The project, 

expected to be completed in 2013, also included a 4-Mt/yr 

bauxite mine at Al Ba’itha and 1.8-Mt/yr alumina refi nery 

in Raz as Zawr that were expected to be completed in 2014. 

Ma’aden owned 74.9% of the joint venture and Alcoa owned 

25.1% (Alcoa Inc., 2010e).

Spain.—Alcoa’s 93,000-t/yr Aviles smelter was shut down in 

June as a result of fl ooding caused by heavy rains (Alcoa Inc., 

2010g). The smelter was operating at full capacity by yearend 

(Alcoa Inc., 2011).

Sweden.—Rusal increased production at the 128,000-t/yr 

Kubal smelter to 93,000 t/yr. Production from the smelter had 

been cut to 70,000 t/yr in 2009 as Rusal temporarily shut highcost capacity (United Company RUSAL, 2011a, p. 16, 32).

United Arab Emirates.—Emirates Aluminuim Ltd. (EMAL) 

announced that the last of the 756 pots at the 700,000-t/yr 

smelter started production in December. Production from the 

fi rst pots started in December 2009. EMAL was a partnership 

between Dubai Aluminium Co. Ltd. and Mubadala Development 

Co. (Emirates Aluminium Ltd., 2011).

United Kingdom.—In July, Rio Tinto restarted full production 

at its 44,000-t/yr smelter in Lochaber, Scotland, and its 169,000-

t/yr smelter in Lynemouth, England. The smelters had reduced 

production in the early part of 2009, but by yearend 2009, 

production was gradually being restored (Rio Tinto plc, 2010c, 

p. 15). 

Venezuela.—At the beginning of the year, Venalum shut 

down 145,000 t/yr of capacity at the 430,000-t/yr smelter owing 

to a power shortage caused by low water levels at the Guri Dam 

and to low prices for aluminum. Starting in August, Venalum 

restarted production from 145 of the 394 pots that had been 

shut down. The company imported aluminum to fi ll domestic 

customer orders and reduced exports because of the shutdown 

(Platts Metals Week, 2010h, i). Alcasa also shut down 115,000 

t/yr of its 210,000-t/yr smelter in January as a result of power 

shortages, including two potlines (50,000 t/yr of capacity) that 

were permanently shut down because of outdated technology 

and low productivity. Despite increased power supplies, restart 

of the temporarily closed pots was delayed as a result of 

fi nancial issues (Platts Metals Week, 2010b). 

Outlook

Aluminum prices generally continued their upward trend 

in the fi rst quarter of 2011, exceeding the price range of 2006 

through mid-2008, but remained volatile. At the end of 2010 

and early in 2011, fi ve domestic smelters announced restarts of 

capacity shut down during the fourth quarter of 2008 and fi rst 

quarter of 2009. These restarts were generally attributed to new 

low-cost power contracts combined with recovering aluminum 

prices. Other domestic capacity that closed during the fi nancial 

crisis was not expected to restart until producers were more 

confi dent in a sustained recovery and could also obtain low-cost 

power contracts. As of June 1, 2011, about 40% (1.23 Mt/yr) of 

domestic primary aluminum smelting capacity was not being 

used. World demand for aluminum in 2011 was expected to 

remain at levels lower than in 2008 owing to depressed levels in 

automobile manufacturing and home construction.

Consumer credit issues in the United States and Western 

Europe were expected to continue through 2011. The continuing 

uncertainty of the impact of sovereign debt issues in Europe 

also raised concerns about consumer demand. Global production 

and consumption had recovered from the decline during the 

crisis because of the strength of demand in emerging markets, 

offsetting weakness in developed markets. Decreased demand 

for aluminum in developed economies still recovering from the 

economic events of 2008 was expected to continue for several 

years. Demand for aluminum in emerging economies was 

expected to increase as these economies continue to improve 

and recover from the effects of the global recession. However, 

policies aimed at slowing growth in China may slow the rate of 

growth of demand for aluminum in that nation.

Easing of credit to aluminum companies was expected to 

enable more expansion projects to resume progress in many 

parts of the world, following the lead of projects in regions 

with low power costs already moving forward. Relatively 
5.8 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

high electricity prices in parts of the United States diminished 

the likelihood of some domestic smelters reopening in the 

near-term. New smelters constructed where power costs are 

relatively low were expected to continue to replace production 

at high-cost smelters in the United States and other locations.

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September 27, 1 p.

Norsk Hydro ASA, 2010g, Hydro-Vale aluminium transaction expected to close 

in fi rst half 2011: Oslo, Norway, Norsk Hydro ASA, December 14, 1 p.

Norsk Hydro ASA, 2010h, Power outage stops production at Qatalum: Oslo, 

Norway, Norsk Hydro ASA news release, August 10, 1 p.

Norsk Hydro ASA, 2010i, Qatalum resumes production: Oslo, Norway, Norsk 

Hydro ASA news release, September 15, 1 p.

Norsk Hydro ASA, 2010j, Tomago reaches long-term power agreement: Oslo, 

Norway, Norsk Hydro ASA news release, November 12, 1 p.

Novelis Inc., 2010, Novelis to close aluminum smelter in Aratu, Brazil: Atlanta, 

GA, Novelis Inc. news release, December, 6 p.

Ormet Corp., 2010, Ormet announces restart of aluminum smelting capacity: 

Hannibal, OH, Ormet Corp. news release, November 24, 1 p.

Platts Metals Daily, 2010, China’s Kaiman starts up new 350,000 mt/year Al 

smelter: Platts Metals Daily, August 4, p. 2.

Platts Metals Week, 2010a, Alba to up capacity to 1.4 mil mt: Platts Metals 

Week, v. 81, no. 26, June 18, p. 4.

Platts Metals Week, 2010b, Alcasa must pay bills to reactivate cells: Platts 

Metals Week, v. 81, no. 36, September 6, p. 17.

Platts Metals Week, 2010c, Aleris to restart Coldwater South: Platts Metals 

Week, v. 81, no. 26, June 28, p. 4.

Platts Metals Week, 2010d, Aluar starts up new cells: Platts Metals Week, v. 81, 

no. 30, July 26, p. 14.

Platts Metals Week, 2010e, Bermco expands alloys, relocates: Platts Metals 

Week, v. 81, no. 47, November 22, p. 5–6.

Platts Metals Week, 2010f, Hydro to become alumina major with $4.9 billion 

Vale deal: Platts Metals Week, v. 81, no. 19, May 10, p. 1, 9–10.

Platts Metals Week, 2010g, Sapa expands US casting operations: Platts Metals 

Week, v. 81, no. 37, September 13, p. 4.

Platts Metals Week, 2010h, Venalum at 2/3 capacity in H1: Platts Metals Week, 

v. 81, no. 37, September 13, p. 4.

Platts Metals Week, 2010i, Venalum to buy 90,000 mt of aluminum: Platts 

Metals Week, v. 81, no. 49, December 6, p. 13.

Riley, Anne, 2010a, Alcan cutting production at Tiwai Point: American Metal 

Market, v. 118, no. 50–4, December 16, p. 4.

Riley, Anne, 2010b, Rio Tinto Alcan shutting down two Kitimat potlines: 

American Metal Market, v. 118, no. 31–5, August 6, p. 10.

Rio Tinto Alcan Inc., 2010, Rio Tinto Alcan moves forward with $347 million 

projects to modernise and increase production capacity at its Iceland smelter: 

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. media release, 

 September 23, 2 p.

Rio Tinto plc, 2010a, Rio Tinto Alcan’s Laterriere works smelter returns to full 

production ahead of schedule: Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Rio Tinto plc news 

release, September 30, 1 p.

Rio Tinto plc, 2010b, Rio Tinto announces modernization and expansion of 

Canadian aluminium smelters: London, United Kingdom, Rio Tinto plc 

media release, December 14, 2 p.

Rio Tinto plc, 2010c, Rio Tinto announces record fi rst half underlying earnings 

of $5.8 billion: London, United Kingdom, Rio Tinto plc media release, 

August 5, 51 p.

Trimet Aluminium AG, 2010, Plants at Essen and Hamburg busy: Essen, 

Germany, Trimet Aluminium AG press release, May 7, 1 p.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2011a, December 2010 construction at $787.9 billion 

annual rate: Washington, DC, U.S. Census Bureau news release, February 1, 

5 p.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b, New residential construction in December 2010: 

Washington, DC, U.S. Census Bureau news release, January 19, 6 p.

United Company RUSAL, 2010a, Rusal announces restart of idled smelting 

capacity at Novokuznetsk smelter: Moscow, Russia, United Company 

RUSAL press release, March 10, 1 p.

United Company RUSAL, 2010b, UC Rusal completes the commissioning of 

potline 5 at its Irkutsk aluminium smelter: Moscow, Russia, United Company 

RUSAL press release, April 20, 1 p.

United Company RUSAL, 2011a, Annual report 2010: Moscow, Russia, United 

Company RUSAL, April 28, 210 p.

United Company RUSAL, 2011b, UC Rusal announces full year results for 

2010: Moscow, Russia, United Company RUSAL press release, March 31, 

 8 p.

Vedanta Resources plc, 2010a, Vedanta Resources plc annual report 2010: 

London, United Kingdom, Vedanta Resources plc, June 28, 153 p.

Vedanta Resources plc, 2010b, Vedanta Resources plc production release for 

the fi rst quarter ended 30 June 2010: London, United Kingdom, Vedanta 

Resources plc, July 30, 6 p.

Vedanta Resources plc, 2010c, Vedanta Resources plc production report for 

the second quarter and half year ended 30 September 2010: London, United 

Kingdom, Vedanta Resources plc, October 7, 5 p.

Vimetco NV, 2011, Vimetco reports full year fi nancial results for the 12 months 

ended 31 December 2010: Amsterdam, Netherlands, Vimetco NV press 

release, April 28, 12 p.

Wong, K.F., 2010, China revokes special power rates for metal producers: Platts 

Metals Week, v. 81, no. 26, June 28, p. 1, 6–7.

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.

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. The Aluminum Association Inc., 

annual.
5.10 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

United States:

Primary production:

Quantity 2,284 2,554 2,658 1,727 1,726

Value millions $6,110 $6,880 $7,060 $3,030 $3,980

Price, average, U.S. market, spot cents per pound 121.4 122.2 120.5 79.4 104.4

Inventories (December 31):

Aluminum industry2 1,410 1,400 1,220 937 1,010

London Metal Exchange, U.S. warehouses3 228 463 1,290 2,200 2,230

Secondary recovery:4

New scrap 2,800 r 2,450 r 2,130 r 1,570 r 1,550

Old scrap 1,580 r 1,660 r 1,500 r 1,260 r 1,250

Total 4,380 r 4,120 r 3,630 r 2,820 r 2,800

Exports, crude and semicrude 2,820 2,840 3,280 2,710 3,040

Imports for consumption, crude and semicrude 4,660 4,020 3,710 3,680 3,610

Supply, apparent5 8,500 r 7,620 r,* 6,070 r 4,890 r 5,000

Consumption, apparent6 5,700 r 5,170 r,* 3,940 r 3,320 r 3,460

World, production 33,900 38,000 r 39,600 36,900 r 40,800 e

*

Correction posted on September 29, 2011.

5

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

for London Metal Exchange (U.S. warehouses) and industry stock changes.

6

Apparent supply less recovery from purchased new scrap.

e

Estimated. rRevised. 1

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits except “Primary production: Quantity” and “Price, average, U.S. market, spot.” 2

Data from the Aluminum Association Inc.; includes ingot, semifabricated material, and scrap inventory levels for United States and 

Canadian producers.

3

Includes aluminum alloyed material.

4

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

TABLE 1

SALIENT ALUMINUM STATISTICS1

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)
ALUMINUM—2010 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.11

Company and location 2009 2010 Ownership in 2010

Alcoa Inc.:

Alcoa, TN2 215 215 Alcoa Inc., 100%.

Badin, NC3 60 r -- Do.

Evansville, IN (Warrick) 309 309 Do.

Ferndale, WA (Intalco) 279 r 279 Do.

Frederick, MD (Eastalco)3 195 -- Do.

Massena, NY (St. Lawrence)2 125 125 Do.

Massena, NY 130 130 Do.

Mount Holly, SC 229 r 229 Alcoa Inc., 50.3%; Century Aluminum Co., 49.7%.

Rockdale, TX2 267 267 Alcoa Inc., 100%.

Wenatchee, WA 184 184 Do.

Total 1,990 r 1,740

Century Aluminum Co.:

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

Ravenswood, WV2 170 170 Do.

Total 414 414 Do.

Columbia Falls Aluminum Co., Columbia Falls, MT2 168 168 Glencore International AG, 100%.

Goldendale Aluminum Co., Goldendale, WA2 160 160 Private interest, 60%; employees, 40%.

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp., New Madrid, MO 250 263 Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp., 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%.

Grand total 3,450 r 3,200

r

Revised. Do. Ditto. -- Zero.

1

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

2

Temporarily idle.

3

Smelter facilities have been permanently idled. This capacity is no longer reflected in Alcoa’s portfolio.

TABLE 2

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

Yearend capacity

(thousand metric tons)

Class Consumption Aluminum Metallic

2009:

Secondary smelters 1,450,000 r 1,020,000 r 1,090,000 r

Independent mill fabricators3 1,620,000 r 1,390,000 r 1,470,000 r

Foundries 74,800 61,200 65,400

Other consumers 6,870 6,330 6,350

Total 3,160,000 r 2,470,000 r 2,630,000 r

Estimated full industry coverage 3,390,000 r 2,650,000 r 2,820,000 r

2010:

Secondary smelters 1,610,000 1,150,000 1,230,000

Independent mill fabricators3 1,450,000 1,240,000 1,320,000

Foundries 50,700 41,400 44,200

Other consumers 6,290 6,290 6,290

Total 3,120,000 2,430,000 2,590,000

Estimated full industry coverage 3,370,000 2,620,000 2,800,000

Calculated recovery

totals shown.

3

Includes plants previously categorized as “Integrated aluminum companies.” 

TABLE 3

U.S. CONSUMPTION OF AND RECOVERY FROM PURCHASED

NEW AND OLD ALUMINUM SCRAP, BY CLASS1, 2

(Metric tons)

r

Revised.

2

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

1

Excludes recovery from other than aluminum-base scrap.
5.12 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

Stocks, Net Stocks,

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

Secondary smelters:

New scrap:

Extrusions 15,700 296,000 295,000 16,200

Can stock clippings 2,960 r 72,800 71,200 4,520

Other wrought sheet and clippings 1,800 r 196,000 195,000 2,510

Casting 594 r 61,100 60,400 1,350

Borings and turnings 2,040 r 84,300 84,100 2,260

Dross and skimmings 7,020 r 407,000 407,000 6,890

Total 30,100 r 1,120,000 1,110,000 33,800

Old scrap:

Castings 3,610 r 137,000 137,000 4,040

Extrusion 3,320 r 95,800 96,100 2,970

Aluminum cans4 8,740 116,000 118,000 7,060

Other wrought products 6,740 r 73,200 75,800 4,080

Auto shredder scrap 938 r 67,600 67,500 1,010

Total 23,300 r 490,000 494,000 19,200

Sweated pig 106 1,750 1,770 89

Grand total secondary smelters 53,500 r 1,610,000 1,610,000 53,000

Integrated aluminum companies, foundries, independent

mill fabricators, other consumers:

New scrap:

Extrusion 14,600 r 251,000 263,000 3,020

Can stock clippings 608 187,000 186,000 1,530

Other wrought sheet and clippings 3,610 r 182,000 182,000 3,950

Casting 243 17,100 17,100 243

Borings and turnings 367 11,900 11,900 367

Dross and skimmings 452 4,370 4,360 462

Total 19,900 r 654,000 664,000 9,570

Old scrap:

Castings 2,620 130,000 127,000 5,570

Extrusion 17 8,120 8,120 17

Aluminum cans4 3,050 533,000 522,000 13,700

Other wrought products 381 139,000 139,000 381

Auto shredder scrap 82 454 454 82

Other -- 46,300 46,300 --

Total 6,150 857,000 843,000 19,700

Grand total integrated aluminum companies, etc. 26,100 r 1,510,000 1,510,000 29,300

All scrap consumed:

New scrap:

Extrusion 30,300 r 547,000 558,000 19,200

Can stock clippings 3,560 260,000 258,000 6,050

Other wrought sheet and clippings 5,410 r 378,000 377,000 6,460

Casting 836 78,300 77,500 1,600

Borings and turnings 2,400 96,200 96,000 2,630

Dross and skimmings 7,470 412,000 412,000 7,350

Total 50,000 r 1,770,000 1,780,000 43,300

Old scrap:

Castings 6,230 267,000 264,000 9,620

Extrusion 3,330 104,000 104,000 2,990

Aluminum cans4 11,800 649,000 640,000 20,700

Other wrought products 7,120 212,000 215,000 4,460

Auto shredder scrap 1,020 68,000 68,000 1,090

See footnotes at end of table.

TABLE 4

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

AND SWEATED PIG IN 20101, 2

(Metric tons)
ALUMINUM—2010 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.13

Stocks, Net Stocks,

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

Old scrap—Continued:

Other -- 46,300 46,300 --

Total 29,500 1,350,000 1,340,000 38,900

Sweated pig 106 1,750 1,770 89

Grand total of all scrap consumed 79,600 r 3,120,000 3,120,000 82,300

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

TABLE 4—Continued

AND SWEATED PIG IN 20101, 2

(Metric tons)

4

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

r

Revised. -- Zero.

1

Includes imported scrap. According to reporting companies, 5.60% of total receipts of aluminum-base scrap, or 172,000

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.

Net Net 

Production shipments2 Production shipments2

Diecast alloys:

13% Si, 360, etc. (0.6% Cu, maximum) 38,200 r 38,200 r 37,500 37,100

380 and variations 114,000 r 114,000 r 214,000 215,000

Sand and permanent mold:

95/5 Al-Si, 356, etc. (0.6% Cu, maximum) 36,200 r 35,500 r 39,100 39,200

No. 12 and variations 953 r 953 r 943 943

No. 319 and variations 37,300 r 36,000 r 80,600 81,100

F-132 alloy and variations 7,420 r 7,390 r 9,380 8,880

Al-Mg alloys 7,240 r 7,200 r 7,240 7,240

Al-Zn alloys 1,660 r 1,680 r 1,650 1,650

Al-Si alloys (0.6% to 2.0% Cu) 3,230 r 3,090 r 3,190 3,190

Al-Cu alloys (1.5% Si, maximum) 513 r 513 r 445 445

Al-Si-Cu-Ni alloys 5,920 r 5,920 r 6,620 6,620

Other 136 136 136 136

Wrought alloys, extrusion billets 372,000 379,000 r 491,000 489,000

Miscellaneous:

Steel deoxidation 31,900 r 31,900 r 22,300 22,100

Pure (97.0% Al) W W W W

Aluminum-base hardeners W W W W

Other3 51,500 48,800 38,400 38,700

Total 708,000 r 710,000 r 953,000 951,000

Less consumption of materials other than scrap:

Primary aluminum 98,800 r XX 153,000 XX

Primary silicon 14,100 r XX 20,800 XX

Other 9,300 r XX 12,700 XX

Net metallic recovery from aluminum scrap and sweated

pig consumed in production of secondary aluminum ingot4 586,000 r XX 766,000 XX

r

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

1

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

2

Includes inventory adjustment.

3

Includes other diecast alloys.

4

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

2009 2010

TABLE 5

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENTS OF SECONDARY ALUMINUM ALLOYS BY INDEPENDENT SMELTERS

IN THE UNITED STATES1

(Metric tons)
5.14 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

Quantity Quantity

(thousand Percentage (thousand Percentage

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

Containers and packaging 2,150 26.5 2,200 22.4

Building and construction 964 11.9 1,000 10.2

Transportation 1,910 23.7 2,800 28.6

Electrical 593 7.3 700 7.1

Consumer durables 458 5.7 600 6.1

Machinery and equipment 475 5.9 700 7.1

Other markets 254 3.1 300 3.1

Total 6,810 84.1 8,300 84.7

Exportse 1,280 15.9 1,500 15.3

Grand total 8,090 100.0 9,800 100.0

e

Estimated. pPreliminary. 1

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

Source: The Aluminum Association Inc.

TABLE 6

DISTRIBUTION OF END-USE SHIPMENTS OF ALUMINUM PRODUCTS

IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, BY INDUSTRY1

2009 2010p

2008 2009 2010p

Wrought products:3

Sheet, plate, foil 4,770 4,050 4,700

Pipe, tube, extruded shapes 1,380 1,070 1,400

Rod, bar, wire, cable 626 514 600

Forgings (including impacts) 102 73 100

Powder, flake, paste 61 45 60

Total 6,940 5,750 6,860

Castings:

Sand 255 160 250

Permanent and semipermanent mold 570 371 570

Die 1,030 691 1,000

Other 44 6 40

Total 1,900 1,230 1,860

Grand total 8,830 6,980 8,720

TABLE 7

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

BY PRODUCERS1, 2

(Thousand metric tons)

p

Preliminary.

1

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

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

2

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

3

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

Source: The Aluminum Association Inc. 
ALUMINUM—2010 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.15

Material 2009 2010

Primary aluminum, average:1

U.S. market 0.794 1.044

LME cash price 0.755 0.986

NASAAC cash price, average 0.653 r 0.949

Secondary alloy, yearend:2

A319 (3% Cu) 1.055 1.170

A380 (3% Zu) 1.055 r 1.115

A360 (0.6% Cu) 1.065 1.210

A413 (0.6% Cu) 1.065 1.210

Scrap, yearend:2

Clean, dry turnings 0.60–0.61 0.70–0.72

Mixed low–copper–content clips 0.67–0.68 0.78–0.81

Old sheet and castings 0.62–0.63 0.72–0.76

Used beverages cans 0.71–0.73 0.83–0.86

TABLE 8

 ALUMINUM PRICES

(Dollars per pound)

r

Revised.

2

Source: American Metal Market.

1

Source: Platts Metals Week.

Quantity Value Quantity Value

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

Crude and semicrude:

Metals and alloys, crude 262,000 $514,000 284,000 $709,000

Scrap 1,660,000 2,120,000 1,910,000 3,190,000

Plates, sheets, bars, strip, etc. 739,000 2,830,000 786,000 3,230,000

Castings and forgings 18,900 218,000 20,000 250,000

Semifabricated forms, n.e.c. 31,100 226,000 36,200 269,000

Total 2,710,000 5,910,000 3,040,000 7,650,000

Manufactures:

Foil and leaf 72,000 323,000 79,600 376,000

Powders and flakes 4,470 24,100 5,520 31,400

Wire and cable 45,900 132,000 43,200 163,000

Total 122,000 479,000 128,000 570,000

Grand total 2,830,000 6,390,000 3,170,000 8,220,000

1

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

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

TABLE 9

U.S. EXPORTS OF ALUMINUM, BY CLASS1

2009 2010
5.16 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

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

2009:

Brazil 59 $449 11,900 $66,500 5,360 $7,130 17,300 $74,100

Canada 69,600 135,000 300,000 1,010,000 107,000 169,000 476,000 1,310,000

China 21,600 31,900 38,400 215,000 1,010,000 1,260,000 1,070,000 1,510,000

France 710 2,830 9,240 63,100 3 11 9,950 66,000

Germany 4,860 12,800 9,820 72,000 326 743 15,000 85,500

Hong Kong 1,620 3,880 9,090 36,600 76,800 111,000 87,500 151,000

Italy 1,170 4,320 2,370 26,100 -- -- 3,540 30,400

Japan 10,500 19,600 8,650 95,500 21,100 31,800 40,200 147,000

Kazakhstan -- -- 27 276 -- -- 27 276

Korea, Republic of 1,870 3,930 10,900 80,800 160,000 197,000 173,000 282,000

Mexico 123,000 243,000 249,000 915,000 91,600 148,000 464,000 1,310,000

Netherlands 97 599 711 9,890 315 407 1,120 10,900

Philippines 3 19 282 3,350 -- -- 284 3,370

Russia 3 36 113 993 -- -- 116 1,030

Saudi Arabia 238 606 26,100 123,000 -- -- 26,400 124,000

Singapore 16,500 32,400 1,440 13,300 421 586 18,400 46,300

South Africa 12 43 147 2,200 -- -- 159 2,250

Taiwan 2,460 4,240 2,910 20,400 100,000 103,000 106,000 128,000

Thailand 115 234 7,990 28,900 5,940 7,890 14,000 37,000

Ukraine -- -- 6 59 22 13 27 72

United Kingdom 769 3,440 10,000 93,000 572 1,720 11,400 98,100

Venezuela 41 546 361 2,270 718 1,000 1,120 3,820

Other 6,430 r 14,800 90,100 r 394,000 r 80,300 82,300 177,000 491,000 r

Total 262,000 514,000 789,000 3,270,000 1,660,000 2,120,000 2,710,000 5,910,000

2010:

Brazil 1,080 2,830 14,300 79,600 4,890 9,060 20,300 91,500

Canada 88,800 217,000 361,000 1,360,000 125,000 233,000 575,000 1,810,000

China 3,910 8,590 32,600 200,000 1,220,000 2,030,000 1,250,000 2,240,000

France 1,480 5,180 11,200 80,300 932 1,840 13,600 87,300

Germany 3,170 8,780 9,680 70,600 498 1,600 13,300 81,000

Hong Kong 109 311 10,800 47,900 53,000 83,000 63,800 131,000

Italy 36 261 2,490 28,600 19 66 2,540 28,900

Japan 1,810 7,430 8,730 106,000 23,800 49,100 34,300 162,000

Kazakhstan -- -- 6 279 -- -- 6 279

Korea, Republic of 454 2,140 15,100 107,000 155,000 230,000 171,000 339,000

Mexico 174,000 425,000 258,000 1,040,000 153,000 323,000 586,000 1,790,000

Netherlands 190 629 733 8,680 448 838 1,370 10,200

Philippines 3 25 336 4,760 -- -- 339 4,780

Russia 1 8 90 900 -- -- 91 908

Saudi Arabia 9 49 16,800 60,100 9 17 16,900 60,100

Singapore 726 2,790 2,820 26,700 426 629 3,970 30,100

South Africa 9 80 346 2,750 -- -- 356 2,820

Taiwan 2,080 5,400 5,960 32,400 107,000 125,000 115,000 163,000

Thailand 30 214 1,390 13,000 5,070 8,380 6,490 21,600

Ukraine -- -- (3) 6 -- -- (3) 6

United Kingdom 639 2,370 9,780 89,000 598 1,260 11,000 92,600

Venezuela 6 74 547 4,600 -- -- 553 4,670

Other 5,270 19,600 78,900 393,000 66,700 90,900 151,000 504,000

Total 284,000 709,000 842,000 3,750,000 1,910,000 3,190,000 3,040,000 7,650,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Metals and alloys, crude Plates, sheets, bars, etc.2 Scrap

3

 Less than 1⁄2 unit.

Total

TABLE 10

U.S. EXPORTS OF ALUMINUM, BY COUNTRY1

r

Revised. -- Zero.

1

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

2

Includes castings, forgings, and unclassified semifabricated forms.
ALUMINUM—2010 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.17

Quantity Value Quantity Value

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

Crude and semicrude:

Metals and alloys, crude 2,900,000 $4,960,000 2,650,000 $6,110,000

Plates, sheets, strip, etc., n.e.c.2 499,000 1,550,000 666,000 2,270,000

Pipes, tubes, etc. 33,400 190,000 27,500 210,000

Rods and bars 254,000 783,000 274,000 899,000

Scrap 433,000 503,000 504,000 763,000

Total 4,110,000 7,980,000 4,120,000 10,300,000

Manufactures:

Foil and leaf3 102,000 389,000 126,000 497,000

Powders and flakes 5,710 22,200 10,100 45,100

Wire 156,000 321,000 145,000 387,000

Total 264,000 732,000 281,000 930,000

Grand total 4,380,000 8,710,000 4,400,000 11,200,000

1

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

2

Includes circles, disks, plates, and sheets.

3

Excludes etched capacitor foil.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

TABLE 11

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

2009 2010
5.18 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

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

2009:

Argentina 164,000 $269,000 2 $32 -- -- 164,000 $269,000

Australia 7,500 13,600 44 581 -- -- 7,550 14,200

Bahrain 1,690 4,400 9,860 28,100 -- -- 11,600 32,500

Belgium 178 685 2,180 9,540 26 $56 2,380 10,300

Brazil 106,000 183,000 15,000 33,500 -- -- 121,000 216,000

Canada 2,020,000 3,490,000 261,000 772,000 293,000 328,000 2,570,000 4,590,000

China 1,890 3,570 250,000 668,000 9 39 252,000 672,000

France 1,520 8,970 1,710 17,800 35 335 3,260 27,100

Germany 579 2,270 61,200 309,000 413 883 62,200 312,000

Italy (3) 23 3,540 21,300 97 79 3,630 21,400

Japan 492 1,210 8,900 42,900 414 1,340 9,800 45,400

Korea, Republic of 2,330 4,000 1,580 7,430 105 157 4,010 11,600

Mexico 18,400 68,800 13,400 63,000 95,700 120,000 128,000 252,000

Netherlands 210 859 1,560 9,780 2,150 2,800 3,920 13,400

Norway 442 926 14 412 -- -- 457 1,340

Panama 197 298 -- -- 1,640 1,830 1,840 2,120

Russia 353,000 548,000 16,700 67,300 1,740 2,970 371,000 618,000

South Africa 52,900 76,000 37,800 97,700 27 28 90,700 174,000

Tajikstan 6,690 8,260 -- -- -- -- 6,690 8,260

United Arab Emirates 48,300 93,800 -- -- 16 18 48,300 93,900

United Kingdom 355 1,290 4,760 24,000 8,840 9,280 14,000 34,600

Venezuela 84,400 131,000 6,250 10,700 8,390 12,700 99,100 155,000

Other 23,800 r 43,200 r 90,100 r 336,000 r 20,300 22,200 134,000 r 401,000 r

Total 2,900,000 4,960,000 786,000 2,520,000 433,000 503,000 4,110,000 7,980,000

2010:

Argentina 138,000 288,000 3 38 -- -- 138,000 288,000

Australia 28,400 68,600 119 1,040 103 141 28,600 69,800

Bahrain -- -- 16,600 47,400 6 3 16,600 47,400

Belgium 102 379 2,000 9,820 1 5 2,110 10,200

Brazil 57,300 131,000 14,200 38,700 282 506 71,800 171,000

Canada 1,920,000 4,490,000 316,000 1,010,000 343,000 519,000 2,580,000 6,110,000

China 1,220 3,680 272,000 782,000 77 248 273,000 786,000

France 1,610 9,740 2,940 25,900 53 392 4,590 36,000

Germany 970 3,710 68,600 331,000 231 862 69,800 336,000

Italy 199 427 3,560 24,500 227 169 3,980 25,100

Japan 901 2,000 7,110 44,800 693 1,520 8,710 48,300

Korea, Republic of 2,490 6,840 2,240 11,500 143 385 4,870 18,700

Mexico 24,100 84,000 22,000 110,000 107,000 156,000 153,000 351,000

Netherlands 390 1,490 1,920 12,900 553 885 2,870 15,300

Norway 2,100 4,750 80 457 128 223 2,300 5,430

Panama 502 1,010 14 50 2,320 3,890 2,840 4,950

Russia 203,000 449,000 14,700 68,800 -- -- 218,000 518,000

South Africa 14,300 29,500 49,000 158,000 -- -- 63,300 187,000

United Arab Emirates 81,700 195,000 5 20 71 125 81,800 195,000

United Kingdom 437 1,940 7,250 32,400 7,890 13,400 15,600 47,700

Venezuela 123,000 251,000 2,480 5,230 1,940 3,340 127,000 260,000

Other 41,700 88,700 161,000 566,000 40,100 62,400 243,000 717,000

Total 2,650,000 6,110,000 967,000 3,380,000 504,000 763,000 4,120,000 10,300,000

Total

3

Less than 1⁄2 unit.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

TABLE 12

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

r

Revised. -- Zero.

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.

Metals and alloys, crude Plates, sheets, bars, etc.2 Scrap
ALUMINUM—2010 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 5.19

Country 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010e

Argentina 273 271 394 410 r 415

Australia 1,932 1,957 1,974 1,943 1,928 3

Azerbaijan 32 39 40 30 30

Bahrain 872 865 872 848 r 870

Bosnia and Herzegovina4 121 r 122 123 e 96 118

Brazil 1,605 1,655 1,661 1,536 1,536 p, 3

Cameroon 88 e 87 91 73 76 3

Canada 3,051 3,083 3,120 3,030 2,963 3

Chinae 9,360 12,600 13,200 12,900 16,200

Egypt 252 258 260 265 266

France 442 428 389 345 356 3

Germany 516 551 606 292 394

Ghana 8 -- -- -- --

Greece 163 166 160 130 r 130

Hungarye 34 -- -- -- --

Iceland5 320 398 787 785 780

India6 1,105 1,222 1,308 1,400 1,450

Indonesia6 250 242 243 250 252

Irane 205 216 248 250 250

Italy 194 183 180 e 171 r 168

Japan7 7 7 e 776

Kazakhstan -- 12 r 106 127 227 3

Montenegro 122 124 107 64 80

Mozambique 564 564 536 545 557 3

Netherlands 312 301 301 e 300 300

New Zealand 337 353 316 271 344 3

Nigeria -- -- 11 13 21 3

Norway 1,331 1,357 1,358 1,130 800

Oman -- -- 49 351 367 3

Poland8 58 54 r 48 -- r --

Qatar -- -- -- 10 190

Romania9 256 283 265 201 r 207 3

Russia 3,718 3,955 4,190 3,815 3,947 3

Slovakia6 158 160 163 150 163

Slovenia4 118 111 83 35 r 40 3

South Africa 895 r 899 r 811 809 807 3

Spain 349 408 408 e 360 r 340

Sweden 101 98 112 70 93 3

Switzerland 12 -- -- -- --

Tajikistan 414 419 339 359 349 3

Turkeye 60 65 65 35 r, e 60

Ukraine9 113 113 113 50 25

United Arab Emirates 861 890 948 1,010 1,400

United Kingdom 360 365 326 253 186 3

United States 2,284 2,554 2,658 1,727 1,726 3

Venezuelae 610 610 610 410 r 335

 Total 33,900 38,000 r 39,600 36,900 r 40,800

See footnotes at end of table.

TABLE 13

ALUMINUM, PRIMARY: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY1, 2

(Thousand metric tons)
5.20 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2010

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.

TABLE 13

ALUMINUM, PRIMARY: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY1, 2

9

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

2

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

as that of any metal produced from either returned scrap of remelted material.” International reporting 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 

3

Reported figure.

4

Primary ingot plus secondary ingot.

through May 24, 2011.

5

Ingot and rolling billet production.

6

Primary ingot.

7

Excludes high purity aluminum containing 99.995% or more as follows, in metric tons: 2006—49,667; 2007—50,777; 2008—52,000 

 (revised); 2009—33,000 (revised); and 2010—45,000 (estimated).

8

Primary unalloyed ingot plus secondary unalloyed ingot.