The Venezuela's state aluminium smelter Venalum is hoping for gradual but sustained improvement in production after being badly hit by a power crisis and low prices.

Mr Rada Gamluch president of Venezula said that production sank to 258,000 tonnes last year from a capacity of 430,000 tonnes and output of 355,000 tonnes in 2009. But it should rise to 270,000 tonnes this year.

(Sourced from www.worldal.com)