Rusal Launches Alscon Aluminum Smelter In Nigeria

MOSCOW (Dow Jones)-Russian metals producer United Co. Rusal Friday said it had launched its Alscon aluminum smelter in Nigeria.

The company said it plans to completely modernize the smelter so it can reach full capacity of 197,000 metric tons a year in 2010.

Investment in the smelter’s modernization, including dredging of the Imo River, will amount to around $300 million.

Rusal acquired a majority stake in Alscon in February and immediately began a large scale modernization program for the smelter, which has been out of operation for eight years.
The modernization program includes completing the construction of the smelter, as well as upgrading the existing production technology.