UC Rusal To Up Aughinish Alumina Capacity By 110,000 Tons/Year

LONDON, Sept. 2 (Dow Jones) -- As it seeks to be self-sufficient in its raw materials needs, United Co. Rusal PLC (0486.HK) plans to expand the capacity of Europe's largest alumina refinery by 110,000 metric tons, in a project slated for full completion in 2013.

The company said Friday that output at Aughinish will reach 2.0 million tons following the expansion of its bauxite residue storage capacity for the next two decades.

Aughinish currently has an annual alumina production capacity of 1.89 million tons. It takes around four tons of bauxite to make two tons of alumina, which in turn makes one ton of aluminum, the metal used in aerospace, automotives and construction.

Yakov Itskov, who runs the company's international alumina division, said the bauxite storage project "provides the company with an opportunity to raise its alumina production.

"The project is accomplished within Rusal's strategy to develop its own resource base and reach self-efficiency in raw materials," he added.