More capacity restarts in the US Pacific Northwest?

A second restart of idled capacity in the US Pacific Northwest appears to be on the cards, judging by local newspaper reports.

The fantastically-named "Hungry Horse News" is reporting that Columbia Falls is advertising for 130 workers in preparation for a restart of a second potline at the 5-line 168,000tpy smelter in Montana.

The smelter has been limping along with one operating potline since early 2003 due to high power prices but a deal earlier this year will see the Bonneville Power Administration pay local operators to help them buy power at spot market rates. In the interim, metal prices have improved and alumina prices have fallen dramatically, suggesting a more favourable operating environment.

That's already caused Alcoa to announce the restart of a second 90,000tpy line at its Intalco smelter in Washington and Columbia Falls appears to be gearing up to do the same. A company official told the local paper a go-ahead decision hasn't been finalised yet but it is paving the way for a green light to restart one line in Q2 of next year.

The smelter is owned by Swiss trade house Glencore.