Mineral Industry Surveys

For information, contact:

E. Lee Bray, Aluminum Commodity Specialist
U.S. Geological Survey
989 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Telephone: (703) 648-4979, Fax: (703) 648-7757
E-mail: lbray@usgs.gov

Glenn J. Wallace (Data)

Telephone: (703) 648-7992
Fax: (703) 648-7792
E-mail: gwallace@usgs.gov
Internet: http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals

ALUMINUM IN JULY 2011

Domestic primary aluminum production in July 2011 was
171,000 metric tons (t), according to the U.S. Geological
Survey. The average daily production was 5,530 t, slightly
lower than that for the previous month but 17% higher than that
for July 2010.
Total aluminum recovered from scrap in July 2011 was
257,000 t, slightly lower than that in the previous month but
12% higher than the total in July 2010. Of this, 136,000 t of
aluminum was recovered from new scrap, slightly lower than
the amount in the previous month but 3% higher than that in
July 2010. Aluminum recovered from old scrap in July 2011
totaled 121,000 t, which was slightly lower than that in June but
23% higher than the amount in July 2010.

and imports of scrap increased by 15% compared with those for

the same period in 2010. Canada remained the leading shipper
of materials to the United States, supplying 60% of total U.S.
imports in the first 6 months of the year, followed by the United
Arab Emirates and Russia with 6% each.
Total aluminum exports (table 9) for the first half of 2011
increased by 14% compared with those for the first 6 months of
2010. Exports of metal and alloys increased by 28%, exports of
semifabricated material increased by 15%, and aluminum scrap
exports increased by 11% compared with the amount exported
in the first half of 2010. China, Mexico, and Canada, in
descending order of shipments, were the major recipients of
U.S. exports in the first 6 months of 2010.

U.S. Trade
Total imports for consumption (table 8) for the first 6 months
of 2011 decreased by 2% compared with those for the same
period in 2010. Imports of metal and alloys increased by 2%
whereas imports of semifabricated materials decreased by 19%,

Update
In July, the monthly average U.S. market price of primary
aluminum ingot fell to $1.216 per pound from $1.244 per pound
in June. The 4-month downward trend continued in August,
with the average monthly price falling to $1.166 per pound.

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

September 2011

TABLE 1
COMPONENTS OF ALUMINUM SUPPLY1
(Thousand metric tons)

Primary
Period
p

2010
2010:
JanuaryJuly
July
August
September
October
November
December
2011:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
JanuaryJuly

production
1,726

Imports for consumption

Metals
Plates,
and
sheets,
alloys,
bars,

Secondary recovery2
New
Old
Total
1,550
1,130
2,680

Stocks,
end of

crude
2,650

etc.
967

Total
3,610

supply3
8,020

period4
1,010

996
146
146
143
148
144
148

905
132
135
127
130
130
120

657
99
100
100
94
98
85

1,560
230
235
227
224
227
204

1,623
223
207
224
203
209
179

606
92
81
78
76
68
59

2,230
315
288
302
279
277
238

4,790
691
669
672
651
649
591

1,030
1,030
989
1,000
1,030
998
1,010

152
140
162
162
170
167
171
1,120

141
132
138
135
137
137
136
955

104
107
122
117
123
122
121
817

245
239
260
252
260
259
257
1,770

211
212
232
220
285
263
NA
NA

64
63
75
68
73
74
NA
NA

276
275
307
288
358
337
NA
NA

672
653
728
702
787
763
NA
NA

1,050
1,060
1,070
1,110
1,100
1,090
NA
NA

p
1

Total
new

Preliminary. rRevised. NA Not available.

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits, except "Primary production"; may not add to totals shown.

Metallic recovery from purchased, tolled, or imported scrap, expanded for full coverage of industry.

Primary production, secondary recovery, and imports for consumption.

Inventory levels reflect total for both U.S. and Canadian producers; data from the Aluminum Association Inc.

r
r

TABLE 2
ESTIMATED FULL COVERAGE CONSUMPTION OF AND METALLIC RECOVERY FROM
PURCHASED NEW AND OLD ALUMINUM SCRAP 1
(Thousand metric tons)

Period
2010 p
2010:
JanuaryJuly
July
August
September
October
November
December
2011:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
JanuaryJuly
p
1

Independent
mill
fabricators
ConsumpMetal
tion
recovery
1,380
1,250

Secondary
smelters
ConsumpMetal
tion
recovery
1,870
1,370

Foundries
ConsumpMetal
tion
recovery
61
53

Other
consumers
ConsumpMetal
tion
recovery
8
7

Total
Consumption
3,310

Metal
recovery
2,680

1,070
157
163
159
163
161
152

787
114
119
115
117
117
109

812
123
122
117
111
116
99

739
112
111
107
101
106
90

35
5
5
5
5
5
5

31
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
1
1
1
1
1
1

4
1
1
1
1
1
1

1,920
285
291
282
280
283
257

1,560
230
235
227
224
227
204

176
175
187
179
187
187
187
1,280

131
131
140
132
138
140
139
951

119
113
126
127
128
126
125
865

109
103
115
115
116
114
113
785

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
35

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
31

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4

301
294
319
311
321
319
317
2,180

245
239
260
252
260
259
257
1,770

Preliminary. rRevised.
Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

TABLE 3
CONSUMPTION OF AND RECOVERY FROM PURCHASED
NEW AND OLD ALUMINUM SCRAP IN JULY 20111
(Metric tons)

Secondary smelters
Independent mill fabricators
Foundries
Other consumers
Total
1

Consumption
Tabulated
Estimated
reports
full coverage
155,000
187,000
115,000
125,000
4,220
5,070
524
629
275,000
317,000

Calculated
metallic recovery
Tabulated
Estimated
reports
full coverage
116,000
139,000
104,000
113,000
3,690
4,420
524
629
224,000
257,000

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

TABLE 4
PURCHASED AND TOLL-TREATED ALUMINUM-BASE SCRAP AND SWEATED PIG IN JULY 20111
(Metric tons)
July

New scrap:
Extrusion
Can stock clippings
Other wrought sheet/clippings
Casting
Borings and turnings
Dross and skimmings
Total new scrap
Old scrap:
Used castings
Used extrusion
Used cans (shredded, loose, baled)
Other wrought products
Fragmentized shredder (auto shredder)
Total old scrap
Sweated pig
Total all classes

Stocks,

Net

opening2

receipts3

Melted or
consumed

Stocks,
closing

JanuaryJuly2
Net
Melted or
consumed
receipts3

20,100
6,550
6,730
1,560
2,650
7,450
45,100

45,900
21,500
28,300
5,560
8,430
43,200
153,000

45,500
21,500
27,900
5,560
8,430
43,200
152,000

20,600
6,500
7,180
15,560
2,650
7,450
45,900

317,000
149,000
198,000
38,800
65,300
296,000
1,060,000

317,000
148,000
197,000
38,100
65,500
297,000
1,060,000

7,040
5,960
9,600
4,460
1,220
28,300
89
73,500

25,600
10,100
59,500
20,900
6,530
123,000
147
276,000

25,600
9,500
60,200
20,900
6,530
123,000
147
275,000

7,060
6,540
8,900
4,460
1,220
28,200
89
74,200

172,000
61,900
385,000
144,000
44,400
807,000
1,010
1,870,000

174,000
60,100
398,000
147,000
44,300
824,000
1,030
1,890,000

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

May include revisions to previously published data.

Includes data on imported aluminum-base scrap.

TABLE 5
ALUMINUM ALLOYS PRODUCED AT SECONDARY SMELTERS IN THE UNITED STATES FOR 2011 1, 2
(Metric tons)
July
Stocks,
opening
Die-cast alloys:
13% Si, 360, etc. (0.6% Cu, max.)
380 and variations
Sand and permanent mold:
95/5 Al-Si, 356, etc. (0.6% Cu, max.)
No. 319 and variations
F-132 alloy and variations
Al-Zn alloys
Al-Si alloys (0.6% to 2.0% Cu)
Al-Cu alloys (1.5% Si, max.)
Other4
Wrought alloys, extrusion billets
Total all alloys
Less:
Primary aluminum consumed
Primary silicon consumed
Other alloying ingredients consumed
Net metallic recovery from aluminum
scrap and sweated pig consumed in
production of secondary aluminum
ingot5
XX Not applicable.

Production

Net
shipments

1,520
2,510

3,500
25,300

3,500
25,300

1,520
2,510

22,100
167,000

22,300
168,000

2,580
2,170
948
278
398
48
6,760
16,500
33,700

2,490
5,690
672
130
228
34
10,600
58,800
108,000

2,490
5,690
672
130
228
34
10,600
58,500
107,000

2,580
2,170
948
278
398
48
6,760
16,800
34,000

17,500
39,800
4,700
911
1,600
238
71,100
292,000
617,000

17,500
40,700
4,210
911
1,600
238
78,100
291,000
624,000

XX
XX
XX

9,800
1,530
1,030

XX
XX
XX

XX
XX
XX

82,300
10,700
7,620

XX
XX
XX

XX

95,100

XX

XX

517,000

XX

Excludes integrated aluminum companies.

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

May include revisions to previously published data.

4
5

Stocks,
closing

JanuaryJuly3
Net
Production
shipments

Includes
l d alloys
ll
No. 12, Al-Mg,
l
Al-Si-Cu-Ni,
l i
i aluminum-base
l i
b
hardeners,
h d
variations
i i
off these
h
alloys,
ll
plus
l other
h aluminum
l i
alloys.
ll
No allowance made for melt-loss of primary aluminum and alloying ingredients.

TABLE 6
AVERAGE PRICE OF ALUMINUM IN THE UNITED STATES
AND ON THE LONDON METAL EXCHANGE
(Cents per pound)
Midwest U.S.
market
price

Period
2010:
July
August
September
October
November
December
JanuaryDecember
2011:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
JanuaryJuly

LME
cash price
Grade A

96.000
102.438
103.550
112.438
111.938
111.950
104.382

90.166
96.055
98.067
106.418
105.807
106.600
98.553

116.313
119.438
121.800
128.313
126.063
124.350
121.625
122.557

110.638
113.752
115.767
120.762
117.558
115.896
113.926
115.471

Source: Platts Metals Week.

TABLE 7
AVERAGE BUYING PRICES FOR ALUMINUM SCRAP
(Cents per pound)

Month

Used beverage
cans

Mixed low
copper clips

67.43
72.45
74.76
82.57
79.38
82.26
74.16

68.88
72.91
73.60
76.86
76.90
77.68
72.63

63.64
66.59
66.98
70.74
71.35
72.47
67.81

62.64
65.14
65.83
68.38
68.93
70.05
65.97

86.78
89.11
90.96
96.07
94.71
94.05
90.95
91.80

82.23
85.34
87.07
87.19
86.10
84.50
84.55
85.28

76.53
79.95
81.96
82.83
80.69
79.30
79.43
80.10

73.53
78.08
81.00
81.93
79.31
79.11
79.00
78.85

2010:
July
August
September
October
November
December
JanuaryDecember
2011:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
JanuaryJuly
1

Old sheet
and cast

Turnings
(clean and dry)

1
1
1
1

Beginning in April 2011, old sheet and old cast were reported separately. The average of the two
prices is presented in this table.
Source: American Metal Market.

TABLE 8
U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF ALUMINUM IN JUNE 20111
(Metric tons)

Country
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas, The
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Egypt
El Salvador
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Italy
Japan
Korea, Republic of
Malaysia
a ays a
Mexico
New Zealand
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tajikistan
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Venezuela
Other
Total
-- Zero.

Metals and alloys, crude

January
June
June
12,300
62,500
557
16,300
-14
---20
18
217
4,450
20,900
153,000
933,000
--411
900
-162
2
2
----320
1,560
59
544
--40
40
--(2)
-1
119
--(2)

(2)

58
23
-781
967
6,110
16
15,500
-2,430
3
-17
-12,500
27
53,700
307
263,000

371
6,180
-10,200
12,400
23,400
16
111,000
45
7,000
4
10
565
4,450
119,000
250
90,500
2,090
1,420,000

Plates, sheets, bars, etc.

January
June
June
(2)

(2)

8
1,430
-1,500
53
2,750
25,200
-11,400
469
3
459
-468
6,410
1,650
--419
847
8,100
485
717
169
960
2,470
4
-359
1,090
-3,740
315
240
598
--214
188
1,090
73,700

12
8,210
-8,630
644
7,650
160,000
-55,400
2,060
24
2,910
8
2,320
40,800
7,160
--2,320
7,490
37,500
2,570
5,110
1,540
3,650
14,300
64
-1,280
6,840
1
21,000
1,690
1,100
3,530
-1
2,430
825
7,130
416,000

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Less than unit.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Scrap
June
---348
-19
-32,200
150
25
21
408
-324
-17
-1,290
332
---56
7
37
-14,100
19
-85
-1,000
---38
-47
1,260
152
1,830
53,700

Total
January
June
-20
-2,350
-150
70
169,000
1,180
42
21
2,140
-2,240
-109
42
5,770
1,750
-1
-151
162
134
4166
69,300
42
-487
-8,090
--(2)

38
-143
6,280
1,030
7,070
278,000

June
12,300
565
1,430
348
1,500
90
7,200
210,000
150
11,800
490
412
459
324
788
6,480
1,650
1,330
332
419
848
8,100
541
782
229
960
17,400
989
6,110
460
16,600
1,000
6,170
318
240
653
-12,500
1,500
54,100
3,230
391,000

January
June
62,500
16,300
8,220
2,350
8,650
1,010
28,600
1,260,000
1,180
56,400
2,250
2,170
2,910
2,250
3,870
41,400
7,200
5,810
1,750
2,320
7,610
37,500
2,720
5,650
7,850
4,070
,070
93,800
12,500
23,400
1,790
118,000
8,140
28,000
1,700
1,110
4,130
4,450
119,000
8,960
92,300
16,300
2,120,000

TABLE 9
U.S. EXPORTS OF ALUMINUM IN JUNE 20111
(Metric tons)

Country or territory
Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
France
Germany
Guatemala
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait
Malaysia
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Pakistan
a sta
Panama
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Spain
Taiwan
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Vietnam
Other
Total
-- Zero.

Metals and alloys, crude

January
June
June
38
422
1
87
5
14
5,590
43,400
645
2,580
128
2,250
-3
213
746
252
1,880
-40
-24
-73
-13
1
7
30
336
10
33
258
1,270
(2)
-32
291
--3
25
15,100
106,000
18
130
6
25
1
7
((2))
-(2)
-133
737
(2)
-68
374
-22
257
887
-38
--1
36
-5
186
1,190
--79
561
23,100
164,000

Plates, sheets, bars, etc.

January
June
June
163
1,000
275
1,010
659
3,930
31,900
186,000
44
1,420
3,490
16,600
112
1,090
1,420
7,350
1,000
5,320
1,760
8,920
177
2,230
47
1,090
32
359
765
4,760
636
4,570
236
1,730
961
8,120
587
1,590
1,410
8,660
1,140
5,710
111
754
27,400
143,000
99
482
499
1,010
1
9
-6
291
2,270
7
69
4,560
22,000
413
2,030
169
989
643
5,340
128
566
166
1,130
172
1,320
682
4,230
1,570
7,730
84
147
1,160
6,090
85,000
471,000

Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Less than unit.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Scrap
June
--651
12,600
-115,000
--56
-3,030
4,770
395
--1
394
-16,600
-310
10,200
38
-37
4488
---13
56
6,460
472
--62
117
202
111
172,000

Total
January
June
11
41
2,570
73,900
-676,000
63
6
262
1
19,000
23,400
2,460
--122
5,360
-99,900
-1,510
74,100
487
1
18,200
2,350
,350
60
--122
337
26,500
2,570
-18
203
350
2,370
2,340
1,030,000

June
201
277
1,320
50,100
689
118,000
112
1,630
1,310
1,760
3,200
4,810
428
767
666
248
1,610
587
18,000
1,140
424
52,700
155
504
38
4488
291
140
4,560
493
225
7,360
600
166
173
744
1,880
286
1,340
280,000

January
June
1,430
1,140
6,510
303,000
4,000
694,000
1,150
8,100
7,460
8,970
21,300
24,500
2,830
4,770
4,910
1,890
14,700
1,590
109,000
5,710
2,290
324,000
1,100
1,040
18,200
2,360
,360
2,330
806
22,000
2,530
1,350
32,800
3,170
1,130
1,380
4,440
9,270
2,510
8,980
1,670,000