Short Term--Costs and Prices

摘要

According to our latest estimate, the average operating costs of primary aluminium smelters, measured in US dollars, were 1680 dollars/tonne in the first quarter of 2007. For the western countries only this average was 1602 dollars. The table below shows these average production costs. To cover operating costs, capital charges and earn a normal return on equity, the average primary smelter needs a price of around 2085 dollars/tonne FOB plant (ex works) under current conditions. If prices fall below 1680 dollars, the average smelter is not covering operating costs.