U.S. Gulf:
Worldwide copper smelter activity declined in June, according to satellite surveillance service SAVANT and reported by Reuters. The declines were spearheaded by the shutdown of Chile state-run Codelco’s Ventanas smelter, which was powered down in early June following an environmental incident that sickened dozens.
Codelco has announced it will permanently shutter the facility, a process that could take years. Codelco’s other smelters at Chuquicamata, El Teniente, and Salvador were also noted running below capacity during the month. Weaker-than-average smelting activity was detected in Europe and China as well.
Alcoa Corp. on July 1 said it had curtailed production from one of three active potlines at its Warrick, Ind., aluminum smelter due to “operational challenges,” removing about 54,000 mt/y from production. The potline’s shutdown was expected to be completed by the end of the day on July 1.
Prior to the stoppage, the Warrick plant operated three potlines with outputs totaling 161,000 mt/y. The plant’s total nameplate capacity stands at 269,000 mt/y, with five total potlines available.
Century Aluminum recently announced plans to power down its 250,000 mt/y Hawesville, Ky., aluminum smelter for at least 9-12 months due to rising energy costs.
Price ideas on sulfuric acid vessels imported to the U.S. Gulf continued to run in the $260-$270/mt CFR range, steady from one week earlier.
Gulf Coast:
Sulfuric acid tons railed to the Gulf Coast were tabbed in a wide $195-$280/st DEL range for 2022 contracts.
Midwest:
Midwest annual contracts were reported even with the Gulf Coast at $195-$280/st DEL.
West Coast:
West Coast sulfuric acid pricing for contract-year 2022 was quoted at $185-$270/st FOB.
Brazil:
Sources described Brazil import pricing in the $270-$280/mt CFR range, softening from $280-$285/mt CFR reported previously.