US Aug Aluminum Output 172,000 Tons, Up Slightly On Month-USGS

LONDON, Oct 18, 2011 (Dow Jones) -- U.S. domestic primary aluminum production in August was 172,000 metric tons, up 1,000 tons from March and up 18% from 146,000 tons a year earlier, according Tuesday to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The average daily U.S. primary aluminum production was 5,540 tons, unchanged from the previous month but 18% higher than in August 2010.

Total aluminum recovered from scrap in the U.S. in August was 260,000 tons, slightly higher than 257,000 tons the previous month and 10% higher than the 207,000 tons recovered in August 2010. Of this, 139,000 tons of aluminum was recovered from new scrap, slightly higher than the 136,000 tons recovered the previous month and and 3% higher than 135,000 tons in August 2010.

Aluminum recovered from old scrap in the U.S. in August totaled 121,000 tons, which was unchanged from July but 20% higher than 100,000 tons a year earlier.