UC RUSAL starts construction of new Taishet aluminium smelter

UC RUSAL said it has started construction of the new 750,000tpy Taishet aluminium smelter in the Irkutsk region of Russia. Total construction costs are expected to be US$2 billion.

The launch of the project follows the completion of a feasibility study by Bechtel Corp in alliance with UC RUSAL’s own Engineering & Construction division.

The current timetable envisages first metal production in November 2009 and project completion in Q4 2011.

Taishet will be UC RUSAL’s third major smelter project in Russia. The 300,000tpy Khakaz smelter is in the process of being ramped up, while the 600,000tpy Boguchansk smelter/power project is expected to start commissioning in 2009 with full completion in Q2 2011.

Alexander Bulygin, UC RUSAL chief executive, commented on the latest project: “UC RUSAL’s major aluminium assets are concentrated in Russia, and it is here that we see big potential for developing new plants. We have developed the ‘smelter of the future’ concept which complies with the world’s strictest technological and environmental standards. The implementation of this project will allow the company to increase aluminium output by over 19% and will become an essential contribution to the development of the Russian economy.”