Forward Delivery Contracts and Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Forward Delivery Contracts and Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Forward Delivery Contracts and Financial Instruments

16.	Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments

As a producer of primary aluminum, we are exposed to fluctuating raw material and primary aluminum prices. We enter into fixed and market priced contracts for the sale of primary aluminum and the purchase of raw materials in future periods.

Forward Physical Delivery Agreements

Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts

Contract	Customer	Volume	Term	Pricing
Glencore Metal Agreement (1)	Glencore	20,400 mtpy	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
Glencore Sweep Agreement (2)	Glencore	Surplus primary aluminum produced in the United States	Through December 31, 2012	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market
Glencore Nordural Metal Agreement	Glencore	Approximately 16,000 metric tons	Through December 31, 2012	Variable, based on LME
Southwire Metal Agreement (3)	Southwire	240 million pounds per year (high conductivity molten aluminum)	Through December 31, 2013	Variable, based on U.S. Midwest market

(1)	We account for the Glencore Metal Agreement as a derivative instrument under ASC 815. Under the Glencore Metal Agreement, pricing is based on then-current Midwest market prices, adjusted by a negotiated U.S. Midwest premium with a cap and a floor as applied to the current U.S. Midwest premium.
(2)	The Glencore Sweep Agreement is for all metal produced in the U.S. in 2012, less existing sales agreements and high-purity metal sales. The term of the contract may be extended for one year upon mutual agreement.
(3)	The Southwire Metal Agreement contract contains termination rights in the event of a partial or full curtailment of the Hawesville facility.

Long-term Tolling Contracts

Contract	Customer	Volume	Term	Pricing
Billiton Tolling Agreement (1)	BHP Billiton	130,000 mtpy	Through December 31, 2013	LME-based
Glencore Toll Agreement (1)	Glencore	90,000 mtpy	Through July 31, 2016	LME-based
Glencore Toll Agreement (1)	Glencore	40,000 mtpy	Through December 31, 2014	LME-based

(1)	Grundartangi's tolling revenues include a premium based on the EU import duty for primary aluminum.

Apart from the Glencore Metal Agreement, Glencore Sweep Agreement, Glencore Nordural Metal Agreement and the Southwire Metal Agreements, we had forward delivery contracts to sell 41,504 metric tons and 47,926 metric tons of primary aluminum at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Of these forward delivery contracts, we had fixed price commitments to sell 41 metric tons and 117 metric tons of primary aluminum at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of which none were with Glencore at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Forward Financial Instruments

We are party to various forward financial and physical delivery contracts that are accounted for as derivative instruments. See Note 5 Derivative and hedging instruments for additional information about these instruments

- Definition

The entire disclosure for significant arrangements with third parties, which includes operating lease arrangements and arrangements in which the entity has agreed to expend funds to procure goods or services, or has agreed to commit resources to supply goods or services, and operating lease arrangements. Descriptions may include identification of the specific goods and services, period of time covered, minimum quantities and amounts, and cancellation rights.

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