Aluminum prices surged on Wednesday after Qatar's alumium producer halted production, citing force majeure on shipments to customers as the escalating conflict in Iran led to a natural gas shortage in the region. Qatalum, jointly owned by Qatar’s state-owned aluminum producer and Norwegian Norsk Hydro ASA, began suspending production on Tuesday. It said a resart could take six to twelve months, according to a statement. Norsk Hydro also has issued a force majeure notice to its Qatalum customers, the statement said.