US Mar Aluminum Output 146,000 Tons, 12.3% On Month - USGS

LONDON, May 27 -- U.S. domestic primary aluminum production in March was 146,000 metric tons, up 12.3% from 130,000 tons the previous month but down 5.2% from 154,000 tons in March 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey said Wednesday.

Total aluminum recovered from scrap in March was 224,000 tons, unchanged from the previous month and 12% lower then the year-ago period.

Of this, 140,000 tons of aluminum was recovered from new scrap, 4% higher than the previous month and 9% lower than in March 2009. Aluminum recovered from old scrap totaled 84,000 tons in March, 6% lower than February and 16% lower year-on-year.

Average U.S. daily aluminum production for March was 4,710 tons, slightly higher then the previous month and 5% lower than March 2009.