BHP Billiton today announced that South32 has agreed with Alcoa, its joint venture partner and operator of the Alumar aluminium smelter, to suspend potline I from 15 April 2015. This follows the suspensions of potlines II and III in the prior financial year due to market conditions. All three potlines have been and will continue to be subject to ongoing review, having regard to market conditions.

The temporary suspension of the smelter does not impact operations at the Alumar refinery or Mineração Rio do Norte bauxite mine.

The decision to suspend production at the Alumar smelter will not have a material financial impact for South32 or BHP Billiton.

South32 Brazil Aluminium

South32’s Brazil Aluminium business comprises a 14.8 per cent interest in the Mineração Rio do Norte open-cut bauxite mine (MRN Mine), a 36 per cent interest in the Alumar alumina refinery and a 40 per cent interest in the Alumar smelter. ​