Reuters reported that Rio Tinto Alcan's Lynemouth aluminium smelter in Northumberland is still running at a reduced rate following a power cut in December which knocked out more than half its capacity.

Mr John McCabe corporate affairs director of Alcan Aluminium UK Limited said that "One production line (potline) is completely down and 25 percent of the other is also down. No decisions have been taken yet on pot restarts.”

Some industry watchers question whether the company will restart the pots, especially since in November, Rio Tinto, one of the world's top producers of aluminium, said it was set to close the Lynemouth smelter as rising energy costs put pressure on margins.

A consultation process on its closure is in progress and due to continue to the end of February.

Production problems are not confined to just Lynemouth.

(Sourced from Reuters)