Mozal Aluminium reports production boost

Production increased 12% at Mozal Aluminium as it mitigated the impacts of civil unrest.

The Mozambique-located smelter reported output of 265kt for the nine months to March 2025 – a 12% rise from the corresponding period the year before.

Graham Kerr CEO of owner South32 said the operation had delivered its recovery plan and subsequently mitigated the impacts of civil unrest in Mozambique from the December 2024 quarter.

He said: “Operating conditions in Mozambique improved during the March 2025 quarter, enabling the smelter to approach nameplate production rates to finish the period.”

Sales decreased by 18% in the March 2025 quarter as the operation managed product availability following the decision in the prior quarter to temporarily reduce amperage to the smelter to manage raw material stocks.

He added the company was working to extend the smelter’s hydro-electric power supply beyond March 2026.

There are currently no viable alternative suppliers of renewable energy at the required scale.

“We remain focused on finalising a new energy supply agreement during CY25 to enable the smelter to continue to operate and maintain its substantial contribution to the economy of Mozambique,” he said.

The company, which also owns the Hillside Aluminium smelter in South Africa and a 40% share in Brazil Aluminium, said its overall aluminium output was up 6% for the nine months to March 2025.

Brazil Aluminium’s saleable production increased by 32% (or 24kt) to 100kt in the nine months ended March 2025 as the smelter continued to ramp-up all three potlines at the site in São Luís, in the state of Maranhão, Brazil.

Source: www.aluminiumtoday.com