Aluminum is a lightweight, versatil

Aluminum is a lightweight, versatile metal used in a wide variety of appli-
cations, including airplanes, automobiles, packaging, and building materials.
The production of aluminum begins with the mining of bauxite in such coun-
tries as Australia, Brazil, Guinea, Jamaica, and Suriname. Bauxite is an ore
that contains a relatively high concentration of alumina (aluminum oxide),
which is separated from the bauxite through a chemical refining process. The alumina is then converted to aluminum through a smelting process in which
an electric current is used to separate the oxygen atoms from the aluminum
oxide molecules. It is this smelting process—which is the most costly step in
producing aluminum—that we focus on here.
All of the major aluminum producers, including UC RUSAL, Alcoa,
Alcan, Chalco, and Hydro Aluminum, operate smelting plants. A typical
smelting plant will have two production lines, each of which produces
approximately 300 to 400 tons of aluminum per day. We will examine the
short-run cost of production. Thus we consider the cost of operating an
existing plant because there is insufficient time in the short run to build
additional plants. (It takes about four years to plan, build, and fully equip
an aluminum smelting plant.)
Although the cost of a smelting plant is substantial (over $1 billion), we will
assume that the plant cannot be sold; the expenditure is therefore sunk and
can be ignored. Furthermore, because fixed costs, which are largely for admin-
istrative expenses, are relatively small, we will ignore them also. Thus we can
focus entirely on short-run variable costs. Table 7.2 shows the average (per-ton)
production costs for a typical aluminum smelter.
5
 The cost numbers apply to a
plant that runs two shifts per day to produce 600 tons of aluminum per day. If
prices were sufficiently high, the firm could choose to operate the plant on a
three-shifts-per-day basis by asking workers to work overtime. However, wage
and maintenance costs would likely increase about 50 percent for this third
shift because of the need to pay higher overtime wages. We have divided the
cost components in Table 7.2 into two groups. The first group includes those
costs that would remain the same at any output level; the second includes
costs that would increase if output exceeded 600 tons per day.

ผลลัพธ์ (อังกฤษ) 2:

Aluminum is a Lightweight, versatile Metal used in a Wide Variety of Appli-
cations, including airplanes, Automobiles, packaging, and Building Materials.
The Production of aluminum Begins with the Mining of bauxite in such Coun-
tries as Australia, Brazil, Guinea,. Jamaica, and Suriname. Bauxite is an ore
that contains a relatively High concentration of alumina (aluminum oxide),
which is Separated from the bauxite Through a Chemical Refining Process. Then the alumina is converted to aluminum smelting Through a Process in which
an Electric current is used to Separate the Oxygen atoms from the aluminum
oxide molecules. It is this which is the Most-smelting Process Step costly in
producing aluminum-that we Focus on here.
All of the Major aluminum producers, including UC RUSAL, Alcoa,
Alcan, Chalco, and Hydro Aluminum, smelting Plants operate. A Typical
smelting Two Production Lines Plant Will have, each of which produces
approximately 300 to 400 tons of aluminum per Day. Will we examine the
cost of short-Run Production. Thus we consider the cost of operating an
existing Plant because there is insufficient time in the short Run to Build
additional Plants. (It Takes About Four years to Plan, Build, and fully equip
an aluminum smelting Plant.)
Although the cost of a smelting Plant is substantial (over $ 1 billion), Will we
assume that the Plant Can not be SOLD; the expenditure is therefore sunk and
Can be ignored. Furthermore, because fixed costs, which are largely for Admin
Expenses Istrative, are relatively Small, we also Will Ignore them. Can we thus
Focus entirely on short-Run Variable costs. Table 7.2 shows the average (per-ton)
Production costs for a Typical aluminum Smelter.
5
 The cost Numbers apply to a
Plant that runs Two shifts per Day to Produce 600 tons of aluminum per Day. If
prices were Sufficiently High, the Firm could choose to operate the Plant on a
Three-shifts-per-Day basis by asking Workers to Work Overtime. However, wage
costs would likely increase and Maintenance About 50 percent for this third
because of the Need to Shift Overtime pay higher wages. We have divided the
cost components in Table 7.2 Into Two groups. First the Group includes those
costs that would remain the Same at any output level; Second includes the
costs that would increase if output exceeded 600 tons per Day.

ผลลัพธ์ (อังกฤษ) 3:

Aluminum is, a lightweight versatile metal used in a wide variety of appli -
cations including airplanes automobiles,,,, Packaging and building, materials.
The production of aluminum begins with the mining of bauxite in such coun -
tries as. Australia Brazil Guinea,,,, Jamaica and Suriname. Bauxite is an ore
that contains a relatively high concentration of alumina. (aluminum oxide),
.Which is separated from the bauxite through a chemical refining process. The alumina is then converted to aluminum through. A smelting process in which
an electric current is used to separate the oxygen atoms from the aluminum
oxide, molecules. It is this smelting process - which is the most costly step in
producing aluminum - that we focus on here.
All of the major. Aluminum, producersIncluding UC RUSAL Alcoa
Alcan Chalco,,,,, and Hydro Aluminum operate smelting plants. A typical
smelting plant will. Have two production lines each of, which produces
approximately 300 to 400 tons of aluminum per day. We will examine the.
short-run cost of production. Thus we consider the cost of operating an
existing plant because there is insufficient time. In the short run to build
.Additional plants. (It takes about four years, to plan build and fully, equip
an aluminum smelting plant.)
Although the. Cost of a smelting plant is substantial (over $1 billion), we will
assume that the plant cannot be sold; the expenditure. Is therefore sunk and
can be ignored. Furthermore because costs, fixed, are which largely for admin -
istrative, expenses. Are, relatively smallWe will ignore them also. Thus we can
focus entirely on short-run variable costs. Table 7.2 shows the average (per-ton).
production costs for a typical aluminum smelter.

) 5 The cost numbers apply to a
plant that runs two shifts per day to. Produce 600 tons of aluminum per day. If
prices were, sufficiently high the firm could choose to operate the plant on a
.Three-shifts-per-day basis by asking workers to work overtime. However wage
and, maintenance costs would likely increase. About 50 percent for this third
shift because of the need to pay higher overtime wages. We have divided the
cost components. In Table 7.2 into two groups. The first group includes those
costs that would remain the same at any output level; the. Second includes
.Costs that would increase if output exceeded 600 tons per day.
.