Aluminum Corp of China Ltd (Chalco)<601600><2600><ACH>, the nation's largest aluminum producer, reported a net loss of RMB 3.52 billion for the first half of this year, compared with a net profit of RMB 2.39 billion it recorded a year earlier, sources reported.

The company attributed the loss mainly to the lower aluminum prices and the weak metal demand.

During the second quarter of this year, net loss was RMB 1.6 billion, while Chalco realized a net profit of RMB 1.1 billion a year ago, according to the aluminum producer's filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Based on the Chinese accounting standard, the company's revenue fell 29% year on year to RMB 27.98 billion.

Chalco, the third-largest alumina producer in the world, raised its spot alumina prices by 4.3% earlier this month as downstream demand for electrolytic aluminum recovered, according to an earlier report from China Knowledge.

H shares of Chalco rose 3.37% to close at HK$9.21 on Monday.