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[May 2006]
Century and Minmetals Enter Into Bauxite and Alumina Joint Venture
Century Aluminum Company (Monterey, CA, USA) has announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with Minmetals Aluminum Company to explore the potential of developing a bauxite mine and associated 1.5 million ton alumina refining facility in Jamaica.
The first stage of the project, a pre-feasibility stage, will assess the quality and quantity of bauxite reserves. This stage is expected to take approximately 18 months. If this stage is successful, a full feasibility study would follow. The parties estimate that the mine and alumina refinery could be operational within three years following the completion of the feasibility study.
"Growing upstream into bauxite and alumina is central to our strategy," said President and CEO Logan Kruger. "We are pleased with the working relationship we have developed with Minmetals, who we believe will be a strong partner. It is good to be working in Jamaica, where we already have a presence and we appreciate the support we have received so far from the Jamaican government."
Century's primary aluminium capacity will stand at 745,000 mtpy by the fourth quarter of 2006. The company owns and operates a 244,000 mtpy plant at Hawesville, KY, USA; a 170,000 mtpy plant at Ravenswood, WV, USA; and a 90,000 mtpy plant at Grundartangi, Iceland that is currently being expanded to 220,000 mtpy.
The company also owns a 49.67% interest in a 222,000 mtpy reduction plant at Mt. Holly, SC, USA. Alcoa Inc. owns the remainder of the plant and is the operating partner. Century also holds a 50% share of the 1.25 million mtpy Gramercy Alumina refinery in Gramercy, Louisiana and related bauxite assets in Jamaica.
www.centuryca.com
ENDS