South32 Temporarily Restores Alumina Supply to Mozal Aluminum Smelter in Mozambique, But Crisis Lingers

[South32: Alumina Supply to Mozambique's Mozal Aluminum Smelter Temporarily Restored, but Crisis Persists]

On December 19, 2024, South32 issued an announcement regarding the latest situation at the Mozal aluminum smelter in Mozambique, stating that the road blockages affecting the smelter have significantly eased. The company has resumed transporting alumina from the port to the smelter and is expected to rebuild alumina inventories in the coming days. However, South32 warned that if the situation escalates following the announcement of election results by Mozambique's Constitutional Council on December 23, it could still impact raw material transportation and smelter operations. To ensure raw material supply and operational stability, the company has reduced the intensity of the smelter's potline current. If transportation disruptions persist, the company may be forced to further cut production, including shutting down some potlines. Meanwhile, the Worsley alumina refinery may open its original alumina supply to the third-party market.