UC RUSAL Completes a Part of Ecological Modernization Project at Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter. Automatic Alumina Point-Feeders Installed


Moscow, 23 November 2007 - UC RUSAL, the world's largest aluminium and alumina producer, is pleased to announce that Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter (KrAZ) has completed the installation of automatic alumina point-feeders. KrAZ is the first and the only aluminium smelter in Russia based on the slotted anode technology equipped with automatic point-feeders. The investments in this project amounted over USD 38 millions.

The project on automatic alumina point-feeders started in 2004 as part of the strategic programme of ecological modernization of KrAZ. Today, all its 1,954 electrolytic cells based on Soderberg technology are equipped with automatic alumina point-feeders which enable to reduce emission of fluoride compound by 10%, tarry substance by 3%, and dust by 30%.

According to Jerry Marks, a reputable climate change scientists who has conducted the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions in September and October 2007 at KrAZ, the installation of automated alumina point feeders enabled to reduce perfluorochemicals emissions (a type of green gas emissions) by about 40%.

Valery Matvienko, Director of the Engineering and Construction Division, UC RUSAL, said: "The environmental protection is a key strategic priority for us and practical steps we undertake are highlighted in the "Paving the Way to a Safer World" initiative launched this May. The main advantage of the automatic alumina point feeders is a better isolation of electrolytic cell dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. From the very beginning the Khakas aluminium smelter, which was launched at full capacity in November, as well as the Taishet and Boguchansk aluminium smelters, which are currently under construction, have been designed taking into account all ecological protection requirements including automatic alumina point feeders. In addition the automatic alumina point feeders installation is mandatory part of modernization of Sayanogorsk, Bratsk, and Irkutsk aluminium smelters."

About UC RUSAL
United Company RUSAL (www.rusal.com) is the global leader in the aluminium industry, accounting for approximately 12% and 15% of global production of aluminium and alumina respectively. The company was founded in March 2007 through the merger of RUSAL, SUAL, and the alumina assets of Glencore. United Company RUSAL employs 100,000 people in 19 countries, across 5 continents.

About KrAZ
The Krasnoyarsk aluminium smelter (KrAZ) was commissioned in 1964 and was incorporated into RUSAL in 2000. In terms of output, the facility is the second largest smelter in the world: in 2006, it produced 950,000 tonnes of primary aluminium. The smelter accounts for 27% of aluminium production in Russia and 3% of global output. KRAS is certified under the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 quality management standards.

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