FACTBOX - Aluminum production timeline of recent events

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LONDON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Aluminum smelters in the United States have been cutting back output in recent months in the face of surging power prices there. Other producers, however, have been restarting idled capacity and bringing new plants on stream.

Following is an overview of the major production developments since the beginning of last year in the primary aluminum sector:

• February 14, 2001 - Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) said it planned to cut production immediately at 204,000 tonnes per year (tpy) Longview smelter in Washington state by 70,000 tpy. Power made available to be sold to Bonneville Power Administration. Cutback part of company's plan to sell plant to Michigan Avenue Partners.
• January 22, 2001 - Columbia Falls Aluminum Co said to temporarily idle 2-1/2 potlines still operating at smelter in Montana for remainder of year. Closure effective immediately. In December company announced would cut plant's output to 50 percent of total 168,000 tpy capacity.
• January 9, 2001 - Alcan Aluminium Ltd (Toronto:AL.TO) says under new power agreement will not have to close 50,000 tpy production line at 275,000 tpy Kitimat smelter, British Columbia for 10-month period, as previously announced last December. Instead will cut output by 40,000 tonnes over 16 months by shutting certain pots and reducing power amperage to others. Part of energy conservation measures.
• January 5, 2001 - Alcoa Inc says to reduce production by a combined 150,000 tpy at Wenatchee and Ferndale smelters in Washington, citing energy crisis in U.S. Pacific Northwest. Making adjustments to the delivery of previously contracted electricity. Cutback at 61 pct-owned Ferndale smelter announced day earlier, but no specifics given. One analyst estimated cut at 25,000 to 75,000 tpy. Other estimates were higher.
• December 26, 2000 - Goldendale Aluminum Co to reduce output by further 78,000 tpy at Goldendale plant, Washington due to rising power costs. Will cut production to about 27,000 tpy for next nine months. Also announced complete closure of 82,000 tpy The Dalles smelter, Oregon. Hopes to increase combined smelter output to about 125,000 tpy October 2001. Late September company cut combined output by 100,000 tpy.
• December 10, 2000 - Kaiser Aluminum Corp (NYSE:KLU - news) says to temporarily halt production at 200,000 tpy Mead, Washington smelter. Follows two earlier curtailments. Expects production to remain halted at both plants in U.S. Northwest until new contract with Bonneville Power Authority (BPA) comes into effect October 1, 2001. Kaiser says contract would only provide enough power to enable smelters to operate at about 40 pct capacity.
• December 9, 2000 - Vanalco announces plans to stop all aluminium production at 115,000 tpy Vancouver smelter, Washington state, by year-end due to soaring power costs. Four potlines closed in June, fifth in September, but local reports had suggested limited production resumed in October.
• December 7, 2000 - Columbia Falls Aluminum announces closure with immediate effect of 1-1/2 of five potlines at smelter in Montana. Cutback will result in loss of 51,000 tpy of metal, on top of 33,000 tpy cut announced in September.
• November 20, 2000 - Kaiser Aluminum announces it to cut output further at Mead smelter in Washington state to 90,000 tpy from 138,000 tpy. Previously idled 63,000 tpy at Mead in June.
• October 16, 2000 - Alcan Aluminium Ltd says expects to start up new 400,000 tpy Alma smelter in Quebec this week. Full production seen by third quarter 2001.
• September 28, 2000 - Goldendale Northwest Aluminum says sharply higher electricity prices force immediate 40 percent (100,000 tpy) output cut at 82,000 tpy The Dalles smelter and 168,000 tpy Goldendale plant.
• September 22, 2000 - Columbia Falls Aluminum announces immediate closure of one of five potlines at 168,000 tpy smelter in Montana due to rising power costs. Shutdown will cut output by 33,000 tpy.
• September 21, 2000 - Traders say Vanalco has closed last of five potlines at 115,000 tpy Vancouver smelter, while seeking cheaper electricity.
• August 7, 2000 - Ormet says will restart two idled potlines at 254,000 tonnes per year Hannibal smelter on September 1. Full operation anticipated by end-month. Potlines closed since June. Closure was expected to curtail output by over 7,000 tonnes of metal per month. Cut blamed on depressed aluminium prices.
• June 28, 2000 - Alcoa says to temporarily curb with immediate effect all output at 121,000 tpy Troutdale smelter in Oregon, which operating at 80,000 tpy. Company says extensive upgrades and large capital expenditure needed. Contracted power to be made available to other Alcoa smelters.
• June 20, 2000 - Century Aluminum announces plans to sell some power from fixed contract at 168,000 tpy Ravenswood smelter in West Virginia. Will result in loss of not more than 1,360 tpy of metal production.
• June 18, 2000 - Mozambique's new 250,000 tpy Mozal smelter produces first metal, six months ahead of schedule. Full capacity reached December 22, 2000. Billiton Plc (quote from Yahoo! UK & Ireland: BLT.L) leading shareholder.
• June 16, 2000 - Goldendale Northwest Aluminum says no plans to reduce output as has sufficient power needs for near term. Operates 168,000 tpy Goldendale smelter in Washington and 82,000 tpy The Dalles plant in Oregon.
• June 15, 2000 - Kaiser Aluminum announces 128,000 tpy cutback at smelters in Washington state due to spike in power costs. Tacoma smelter to close and 63,000 tpy to be idled at Mead smelter.
• June 13, 2000 - Pechiney says strike at 230,000 tpy Dunkirk smelter led to loss of 15,600 tonnes of output. Expects return to full capacity operation by September.
• June 9, 2000 - Alcoa dismisses rumours that restart of 200,000 tpy of idled capacity, announced in January, experiencing delays. Says on target for completion by end-year.
• June 6, 2000 - Vanalco says to temporarily shut four of five potlines at Vancouver smelter in Washington state. Blames high electricity prices. Plans to lessen impact by buying in metal from other sources for remelting into log and billet or foundry. Effectively cutting output by 40-50 percent.
• May 18, 2000 - Ormet says to close two potlines from June for two to four months at Hannibal smelter in Ohio.
• May 11, 2000 - Alcan Aluminium announces immediate restart of 110,000 tpy of idled capacity - 60,000 at Sebree, Kentucky and 50,000 at Lynemouth, UK. Full capacity expected by November. Move will lead to 25,000 tonnes of additional output in 2000, but mainly to offset permanent closures of Isle Maligne in Canada and Kinlochleven in U.K.
• January 10, 2000 - Alcoa announces plans to restart 200,000 tpy of idled capacity in United States and Australia in 2000.