UPDATE 1-RUSAL Signs MOU with Chinese Firm on Aluminum

HONG KONG, March 28 -- United Co RUSAL Plc , the world's top aluminum producer said on Monday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Xinshan Aluminum Industry Demonstration Park to develop bauxite mining and alumina and aluminum production projects.

Within two months, a working group would be set up to analyse details of the joint projects under the MOU, Rusal said in a statement.

Rusal may export technologies for production of aluminum and aluminum products and help build an aluminum production plant in the territory of Xinshan Aluminum Industry Demonstration Park in China's southwestern region of Guangxi, which may demand 2 million tonnes of bauxite a year.

Bauxite is the ore for alumina production, which is used for primary aluminum production.

The two parties also could set up joint ventures to mine bauxite and build alumina complex in countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Rusal said.