Nov. aluminum output rises 3.9%

Brazil's primary aluminum production totaled 115,100t in November, up 3.9% from 110,800t in the same month last year, sector association Abal reported. For the first 11 months of 2003, national output stood at 1.26Mt, up 4.7% on 1.2Mt in same-period last year, according to Abal. The increase stems from the expansion of aluminum smelter CBA, owned by the Votorantim industrial group, and technical improvements at other plants, Abal said. Output of primary aluminum is forecast to total 1.38Mt in 2003 and reach 1.45Mt in 2004.