UC RUSAL cuts bauxite production in Q3 2017 to utilize available inventory, alumina up QoQ

UC RUSAL, the leading global aluminium producer has announces operating results for the third quarter 2017.

In Q3 2017, consolidated bauxites output of Rusal decreased by 11.3% QoQ to stand at 2,742 thousand tonnes. The Company covered alumina refineries consumption needs using the available inventory at its operations at Achinsk, Bogoslovsk, Urals and Windalco operations.

Production volumes at Timan decreased by 5.5% QoQ to stand at 839 thousand tonnes and Kindia production volumes decreased by 11.0% QoQ to 717 thousand tonnes due to scheduled operational maintenance works.

Bad weather conditions affected operational performance of Bauxite Company of Guyana and production dropped 41.6% QoQ to 161 thousand tonnes and Windalco production dropped 5.5% QoQ to 476 thousand tonnes.

North Urals bauxite production dropped by 11.0% QoQ to 548 thousand tonnes in order to feed Urals alumina refinery from accumulated inventory as a part of working capital management programme.

As for the alumina segment results are concerned; in Q3 2017, Rusal reported a total alumina production of 1,965 thousand tonnes, an increase of 1.9% from the last quarter.

The QoQ production increase was mainly driven by continuous capacity ramp up at Russia-based refineries post completion of upgrades earlier in 2017. It was supported by growing production at Aughinish refinery on improved quality of bauxite supply.  It was partially offset by a 3.5% drop in Nikolaev refinery output on the back of scheduled maintenance works.