Rusal to build Eurasia’s largest bauxite and alumina complex

RUSAL, the huge Russian producer, has announced plans to begin construction of the largest bauxite and alumina complex in Europe and Asia next month. The Komi complex, in the republic of the same name, will cost over US$1.5 billion, says the company.

The project includes the construction of a 1.4-million-t/y alumina refinery in the Komi Republic’s Sosnogorsk region, and capacity expansion at its operating Middle-Timan bauxite mine up to 6.4 million t/y from the current 2.6 million t/y. The refinery will operate using state-of-the-art Bayer technology. The proven reserves of the Eurasia Middle-Timan bauxite deposit, the largest in Russia and Eurasia, amount to 260 million t.

The Komi complex is expected to be commissioned at the end of 2009 and will create more than 10,000 new jobs. The startup will boost Russian alumina output by more than 40%.