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In Q2 2012, manganese ore production increased 20.6% on a quarterly basis, reaching 584,000 tonnes versus 484,000 tonnes in Q1 2012.
Output of the Carajás manganese mine Azul was the main contributor to the improved output, producing 463,000 tonnes in Q2 2012, due to the end of the rainy season in Brazil. The 4.6% reduction in output compared to Q2 2011 was related to low physical availability of the plant in Q2 2012.
Urucum also had a stronger performance, 22.1% higher than Q1 2012, reaching 81,000 tonnes in Q2 2012, reflecting operational improvements in the equipments in the underground mine.
Production of manganese ore at Morro da Mina, part of the other mines, improved only 3% QoQ due to the worsening of the stripping ratio. Waste removal is being intensified during 2012 in order to return production to normal levels.
Ferroalloy Q2 2012 production was slightly higher than Q1 2012, but below Q2 2011, due to lower Brazilian output related to the stoppage for maintenance during the quarter.
Production in Q2 2012 was comprised of 59,800 tonnes of ferrosilicon manganese alloys (FeSiMn), 43,400 tonnes of high carbon manganese alloys (FeMnHc) and 5,900 tonnes of medium carbon manganese alloys (FeMnMC).
Production from operations at Dunkerque in France recovered illustrating improved demand for FeMnHC compared to Q1 2012.
Furthermore, production from the Norwegian operations of Mo I Rana continued to rise because of better operational efficiency, increasing by 4.3% QoQ against Q1 2012 and 12.2% YoY.
| Q2 11 | Q1 12 | QoQ | Q2 12 | YoY | H1 11 | H1 12 |
YoY |
|
| Manganese Ore | 619 | 484 | 20.6% | 584 | -5.6% | 1,117 | 1,068 |
-4.4% |
| Azul | 486 | 379 | 22.2% | 463 | -4.6% | 902 | 843 |
-6.6% |
| Urucum | 82 | 67 | 22.1% | 81 | -0.7% | 134 | 148 |
10.2% |
| Other mines | 51 | 38 | 3.0% | 39 | -23.3% | 81 | 78 | -3.8% |
In '000 tonnes
| Q2 11 | Q1 12 | QoQ | Q2 12 | YoY | H1 11 | H1 12 |
YoY |
|
| Ferroalloys | 114 | 106 | 2.7% | 109 | -4.2% | 227 | 215 |
-5.3% |
| Brazil | 52 | 50 | -6.7% | 46 | -11.6% | 104 | 96 |
-7.8% |
| Dunkerque | 37 | 30 | 17.1% | 35 | -4.9% | 74 | 64 |
-12.4% |
| Mo I Rana | 25 | 27 | 4.3% | 28 | 12.2% | 50 | 55 | 10.1% |
In '000 tonnes