Jun. 3--Century Aluminum has slowed its repairs on several damaged pots on the potlines at its Hawesville smelter.

Michael Dildine, a company spokesman, said it was "nothing more than standard business practice in this bad (economic) environment."

Dildine confirmed that repairs are being delayed on 31 pots. Each potline has 112 pots.

Ten workers were also laid off at the plant last week, but they were part of the 120 layoffs that were announced at the smelter in March. One of the plant's five potlines was shut down then.

"People have been cycling out of there as needed," Dildine said.

The potline closure will reduce primary aluminum production by about 4,370 metric tons a month at the plant.

Century Aluminum laid off 13 percent of its salaried work force at its Hawesville plant and its corporate headquarters in Monterey, Calif., in December. About 20 employees were laid off in Hawesville.

The company also announced last week that it would be unable to complete a power contract "unwind" with Western Kentucky Energy, a subsidiary of E.ON U.S., Big Rivers Energy and Rio Tinto Alcan, because of "unfavorable business conditions."

Century Aluminum opted to back out of the unwind because of the weakness in both aluminum prices and wholesale electric prices, according to a company press release.

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