Moscow, 7 April 2015 – UC RUSAL (SEHK: 486; Euronext: RUSAL/RUAL; Moscow Exchange: RUAL/RUALR), a leading global aluminium producer, announces the launch of a programme to increase alumina production at the Urals Aluminium Smelter (UAZ) to 900 thousand tonnes. Investment in the project is expected to be over USD23 million.

The programme is aimed at boosting annual alumina output at UAZ from 770 thousand tonnes to 900 thousand tonnes by the end of 2016. The programme foresees construction of a new autoclave battery, installment of two new precipitators and other large-scale industrial equipment. 

Design work is already underway. Design of the precipitators, heat exchangers and disk filters is expected to be completed by RUSAL-VAMI by the end of April. Design of a new autoclave battery is planned for completion by the end of July, with construction scheduled to commence immediately afterwards. 

‘The expansion of production at UAZ will utilize the most modern technologies. This will result in not only an increase in output but also, thanks to a higher energy efficiency, lower production costs,’ commented Yakov Itskov, Head of Alumina Division at UC RUSAL.