Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC) notes Alcoa Corp's ('Alcoa') quarterly earnings release. To assist readers in understanding relevant market, operational and commercial matters of the AWAC joint venture, selected information from the Alcoa Bauxite and Alumina Segments, AWAC joint venture and Alumina Limited plus other market data is attached.
Alumina Limited's CEO, Mike Ferraro, said 'AWAC has achieved record quarterly daily alumina production for the current system despite the challenges from the COVID 19 pandemic. The joint venture continues to focus on the safety of AWAC employees and the wider communities.
The strong production performance and lower caustic soda input costs and energy prices resulted in the cash costs of alumina production falling by $11 per tonne. External market factors drove the overall Alumina Segment result lower with the lagged alumina index price falling 10% from the previous quarter.
Alumina Limited received $58.6 million of net cash distributions in the second quarter, up from $31.3 million for the previous quarter. AWAC continues to focus on cash saving strategies as it seeks to navigate the challenging market conditions.
Alumina prices have risen from their lows of $225/t in April following increased importing of alumina by China and are now at $284/t. Global demand for smelter-grade alumina so far in 2020 is slightly higher than 2019 volumes. Market sentiment globally has improved and there are signs of a promising economic recovery in China. However, it is still to be seen how the economic impact of the pandemic will pan out.' This ASX announcement was approved and authorised for release by Mike Ferraro, Chief Executive Officer.
About AWAC & Alcoa's Earnings Release
Alumina Limited owns 40% of each of the AWAC entities, which form a part of the Alcoa bauxite & alumina business segments. The Alcoa aluminium business segment includes the AWAC Portland smelting operations. The operating Afobaka power station and closed operations are included in Transformation & legacy pension/OPEB. Therefore, the AWAC results cannot be directly inferred from the Alcoa earnings release. Further, unlike Alumina Limited, Alcoa reports under US GAAP.
Forward-looking statements
Neither Alumina Limited nor any other person warrants or guarantees the future performance of Alumina Limited or any return on any investment made in Alumina Limited securities. This document may contain certain forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words 'anticipate', 'aim', 'believe', 'expect', 'project', 'estimate', 'forecast', 'intend', 'likely', 'should', 'could', 'will', 'may', 'target', 'plan' and other similar expressions (including indications of 'objectives') are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Indications of, and guidance on, future financial position and performance and distributions, and statements regarding Alumina Limited's future developments and the market outlook, are also forwardlooking statements.
Any forward-looking statements contained in this document are not guarantees of future performance. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Alumina Limited and its directors, officers, employees and agents that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Those risks, uncertainties and other factors include (without limitation): (a) material adverse changes in global economic conditions, alumina or aluminium industry conditions or the markets served by AWAC; (b) changes in production or development costs, production levels or sales agreements; (c) changes in laws, regulations or policies; (d) changes in alumina or aluminium prices or currency exchange rates; (e) Alumina Limited does not hold a majority interest in AWAC and decisions made by majority vote may not be in the best interests of Alumina Limited and (f) the other risk factors summarised in Alumina Limited's Annual Report 2019. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Alumina Limited disclaims any responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any new information or any change in the events, conditions or circumstances on which a statement is based or to which it relates.
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