Company to impair gas exploration assets in Western Australia;
No significant fourth quarter financial impact from power outage at Portland Aluminum smelter
Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA) today announced that it intends to
permanently close the Suralco alumina refinery and bauxite mines in
Suriname, fully curtailed since November 2015. The Government of the
Republic of Suriname and Alcoa continue to develop definitive agreements
concerning Suralco’s remaining activities in the country and the future
of the bauxite industry in Suriname. Pending completion of those
agreements, Alcoa will continue to operate the Afobaka hydroelectric
facility, which supplied power to the Suralco operations.
“We are working in partnership with the Government of the Republic of
Suriname to reach the best possible solution that would enable Suriname
to maintain its bauxite industry. Dialogue is ongoing and progress is
being made,” said Roy Harvey, Chief Executive Officer of Alcoa. “As we
enter 2017, we also continue to streamline and strengthen our portfolio
to better focus on our businesses and the growth opportunities ahead.”
As a result of the permanent closure of the mines and refinery, Alcoa
will record in the 2016 fourth quarter:
-
$90 million in restructuring-related charges, after-tax and
noncontrolling interest. Alcoa’s share of total cash costs associated
with the closure, inclusive of prior accruals, are estimated to be
$151 million over five years, with $24 million to be spent in 2017.
Additionally in the 2016 fourth quarter, Alcoa has announced that it
will record a:
-
$31 million non-cash charge, after-tax and noncontrolling interest, to
impair Alcoa of Australia Limited’s (AofA) interests in a Western
Australia gas field. AofA determined that the completed exploration
activities do not support the current carrying value.
The combined impact of the charges described above is estimated to be
$0.66 per share.
Alcoa also today announced that the December 1, 2016 power outage at the
Portland Aluminum smelter in Victoria, Australia is not expected to have
a significant unfavorable impact on fourth quarter results. The smelter
is an unincorporated joint venture between AofA (55 percent), CITIC
(22.5 percent), and Marubeni Aluminium Australia (22.5 percent).
AofA and Suralco are part of the Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals
(AWAC) group of companies owned 60 percent by Alcoa and 40 percent by
Alumina Limited. The AWAC partnership agreements between Alcoa and
Alumina Limited provide for the allocation of certain liabilities
occurring prior to AWAC’s formation on January 1, 1995 according to a
party’s preformation ownership interest. While Alcoa and Alumina Limited
are currently in the process of allocating AWAC’s Suralco-related costs
and liabilities in accordance with those provisions, the recorded
charges represent Alcoa’s view of the liabilities at the present time.
On November 1, Alcoa Corporation announced
it had completed the separation from its parent company Alcoa Inc. (now
named Arconic Inc.) and began operating as an independent,
publicly-traded company.
About Alcoa Corporation
Alcoa (NYSE: AA) is a global industry leader in bauxite, alumina and
aluminum products, with a strong portfolio of value-added cast and
rolled products and substantial energy assets. Alcoa is built on a
foundation of strong values and operating excellence dating back nearly
130 years to the world-changing discovery that made aluminum an
affordable and vital part of modern life. Since inventing the aluminum
industry, and throughout our history, our talented Alcoans have followed
on with breakthrough innovations and best practices that have led to
efficiency, safety, sustainability and stronger communities wherever we
operate. Visit us online on www.alcoa.com,
follow @Alcoa on Twitter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.
Dissemination of Company Information
Alcoa Corporation intends to make future announcements regarding company
developments and financial performance through its website at www.alcoa.com.
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