Production at the Friguia alumina refinery, operated by RusAl, is expected to return to capacity within three days despite an ongoing nationwide strike in the Republic of Guinea, a Rusal spokeswoman said Friday.
The refinery, which produces 780,000 metric tons a year, reduced its output by less than 10% as a result of the strike.
"The situation with transportation of alumina is getting better and we plan to restore production in full within three days if this trend continues," said Rusal's Vera Kurochkina.
Earlier this week, Rusal said reduced production at Friguia wouldn't affect its output of aluminum metal at its smelters as the company has contingency plans in place.
The general strike is aimed at toppling the country's long-ruling president, Lansana Conte, who seized power in a 1984 coup and has refused to step down in mspite of rumors of ill-health.
The refinery is part of Rusal's Alumina Company of Guinea, which has an annual bauxite capacity of 2.8 million tons. Also in Guinea, Rusal is the manager of the Compagnie de Bauxite de Kindia bauxite mining complex, which has an estimated capacity of 3 million tons a year.
The complex consists of the Debele mine, a railroad connecting the mine with the Conakry port, and the port itself. An average number of 4-5 vessels carrying bauxite leaves Conakry for Rusal's Nikolayev alumuina refinery in Ukraine each month.
Guinea, a key bauxite producer along with Australia and Jamaica, dominates African production of the raw material. The west African nation contains 30% of the world's reserves and accounts for 94% of African bauxite production.
Four tons of bauxite make two tons of alumina which in turn is smelted to produce one ton of aluminum.
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