UPDATE 1-Quebec Aluminum Smelter Hit by Power Failure

NEW YORK, July 8 -- Rio Tinto Alcan (RIO.L: Quote) said on Wednesday that its Laterriere aluminum smelter in Quebec was operating at half capacity following a power failure.

The smelter suffered a significant outage on Tuesday after two electrical transformers failed, leaving the plant without adequate energy to continue operating at full capacity, the company said.

As a safety precaution, one of Laterriere Works' two production lines has been suspended. The smelter is currently operating at half its total capacity of 235,000 tonnes.

No workers were injured in the incident, which is being investigated, Rio Tinto Alcan said. The company hopes to restore the suspended line in coming weeks.