Alouette Aluminium Smelter Expansion to Decided in 2012

Japanese major general trading house, Marubeni Corporation will decide expansion of Alouette aluminium smelter in Canada within 2012. Marubeni holds 6.67% shares in Alouette. The smelters’ production capacity will increase by 45% to 830,000 tonnes per year from current 580,000 tonnes.

Mr. Shoji Kuwayama, chief operating officer of Marubeni’s metals & mineral resources division, explained Alouette smelter is presently under negotiation with Quebec Province for long-term electric power use along the expansion and the negotiation is expected to complete in second half of 2011. Mr. Kuwayama suggested the expansion may obtain construction of another smelter and complete in 2015.

Alouette was jointly established by six companies of Japan, Europe and Canada in 1989. The operation started in 1992. The current production is 550,000 tonnes per annum. Alouette is one of the largest aluminium smelters in North America.

Marubeni holds 6.67% shares in Alouette and purchases primary aluminium ingot at approximately 38,000 tonnes per year from the smelter. The ingot trading is expected to reach approximately 55,000 tonnes per year after the expansion.