Caracas (Platts)--27Dec2012/350 pm EST/2050 GMT

Venezuela's CVG-Bauxilum alumina sales totaled 35,954 metric tons in November, down 66.9% from sales of 108,784 mt in November 2011 and 38.6% on sales of 58,576 mt in October, Bauxilum said Thursday.

All November sales were within Venezuela. "The ship headed abroad departed late, which is why there are no export sales, and accounts for the discrepancy between the amount of alumina produced in November (56,791 mt) and the sales total," a Bauxilum official said. "Those figures will be reflected in December results."

Sales in the last few years continue to be low because of diminished output at the Puerto Ordaz-based plant. Modernization of operations is a top priority for the state company, which currently counts on government help, which has not been forthcoming, to attend to the plant's most pressing needs.

Bauxite sales from Bauxilum's Pijiguaos mine totaled 1,086 mt in November, down 27.3% on sales of 1,493 mt in November 2011, but up 46.2% on October sales of 743 mt.

All November bauxite sales were to Ferralca downstream aluminum company, said the same official.

Bauxilum forms part of the Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana's 600,000 mt/year primary aluminum complex in Puerto Ordaz, Bolivar state.

--George Soules, newsdesk@platts.com --Edited by Valarie Jackson, valarie_jackson@platts.com