Itafos Inc., Houston, on Nov. 18 announced the resumption of sulfuric acid supply to its Conda, Idaho, plant from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine. Following the resumption of sulfuric acid supply, Conda has returned to full production capacity.
Conda’s return to full production capacity is within the timeframe considered in the company’s revised full-year guidance for 2021 issued on Nov. 11, 2021. The guidance included adjusted EBITDA of $120-$130 million.
Itafos previously announced the disruption of sulfuric acid supply to Conda (GM Oct. 1, p. 1) after Rio Tinto announced that it had declared force majeure on shipments of copper cathode and sulfuric acid from its Kennecott mine after the smelter was shut down on Sept. 21, 2021, following a release of molten copper materials.
Conda purchases approximately 60 percent of its annual sulfuric acid requirements from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine under a long-term supply agreement.