Site #1 has already brought back online 183 pots, with a total of 264 pots expected to be operational by early April. As a result of it, in 2010 the output from NkAZ would reach approximately 253,000 tonnes, 10% more than last year.

‘Restarting an idled aluminium smelting site is a complicated technical challenge that requires a deep knowledge of the technological processes,’ said Alexey Arnautov, the head of RUSAL’s Aluminium Division. ‘It took RUSAL’s teams, who demonstrated their great professionalism, less than three months to complete almost a half of all the scheduled pot restarts. The successful restart of Site #1 at the Novokuznetsk aluminium smelter gives the business the flexibility required for adapting its output to changing demand. The example of NkAZ also shows that the company is able to restart aluminium production regardless of seasonal or weather conditions, which we think is particularly important as most our operations are located in Siberia.’

Over 200 employees from those who were temporarily moved to work at other facilities of the smelter have returned to work since the beginning of the capacity restart. Site #1 has also additionally hired 265 people.

About RUSAL

RUSAL (www.rusal.com) is the world’s largest producer of aluminium, in 2008 accounting for approximately 11% and 13% of global production of aluminium and alumina, respectively. RUSAL employs more than 75,000 people in 19 countries, across 5 continents. RUSAL markets and sells its products primarily in the European, Japanese, Korean, South East Asian and North American markets. RUSAL’s ordinary shares are listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock code: 486) and global depositary shares representing RUSAL’s ordinary shares are listed on the professional compartment of Euronext Paris (RUSAL for Reg S GDSs and RUAL for Rule 144A GDSs).

Disclaimer

The information contained in this press release is for media advice only.  The contents are true and accurate at the time of publishing, however, may change over time.