South32’s aluminium production stands at 245,000 tonnes in Q4FY19; achieves record output at Hillside Aluminium

South32 Ltd reported a 1% quarter-on-quarter rise in aluminium production in the fourth quarter of FY19. Aluminium production increased from 242,000 tonnes in Q3 FY19 to 245,000 tonnes in Q4 FY19. Production stood at 982,000 tonnes for the full year.

Hillside Aluminium production increased by 3,000 tonnes to record 715,000 tonnes in FY19 as the smelter continued to test its maximum technical capacity, despite an increase in the frequency of load-shedding events. In Q4 FY19, production stood at 179,000 tonnes, up 2% quarter-on-quarter.

“In order to ensure the smelter’s ongoing sustainability and to improve its cost competitiveness, we completed a restructure of the workforce during the June 2019 quarter. Notwithstanding the restructure, which is expected to deliver cost savings from FY20, and the continued strong operating performance during the year, lower aluminium prices and elevated raw material input costs, are expected to result in the smelter recording a loss in FY19,” South32 said.

Sales increased by 22% QoQ in the June 2019 quarter reflecting the timing of shipments.

Mozal Aluminium production stood at 267,000 tonnes in FY19, down 1% YoY. Sales dropped by 2% to 268,000 tonnes for the full year.