Norsk Hydro’s Brazilian subsidiary, Hydro Paragominas, has announced that it’s shutting the bauxite transport pipeline to Alunorte, its alumina refinery, for two months.
According to Paragominas’ news release, the temporary shutdown is for planned maintenance, and will reduce the refinery’s capacity to 35-49pc.
The move will also result in decreases to Alunorte’s Q3 2020 output and profit, although no estimates of how much were disclosed.
Two sections of the bauxite mine pipeline will be replaced during the second half of this year, as per its long-term maintenance plan. However, because one of the sections deteriorated sooner than expected, the maintenance period will be extended to replace that section of the pipeline.
According to Norsk’s website, Hydro Alunorte is capable of producing 6.3mn mt of alumina in a year.