LONDON, July 22 -- U.S. domestic primary aluminum production in May was 148,000 metric tons, up 4.2% from 142,000 tons the previous month and slightly higher than 147,000 tons in May 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey said Thursday.

Total aluminum recovered from scrap in May was 202,000 tons, 8% lower than the previous month and 19% lower then the year-ago period.

Of this, 112,000 tons of aluminum was recovered from new scrap, 9% lower than the previous month and 25% lower than in May 2009. Aluminum recovered from old scrap totaled 90,000 tons in May, 7% lower than April and 10% lower year-on-year.

Average U.S. daily aluminum production for May was 4,770 tons, slightly higher than the previous month and slightly higher than May 2009.