The world’s largest aluminium producer, Russia’s UC Rusal, has announced plans to develop a refractory-grade bauxite mine in the Republic of Komi, western Russia, by the end of next year.
Through its subsidiary Timan Bauxite, Rusal will establish a 90,000 tpa open-cut mine at the Middle Timan deposit in 2012, before expanding production to 250,000 tpa.
Rusal mines bauxite for its in-house aluminium production, but the Timan mine will see it for the first time supplying the refractories industry.
“This is a new kind of production for us. Previously, this type of bauxite has neither been mined nor used by us,” said Valery Matvienko, head of Rusal’s Alumina East division.
“However, the market analysis shows that there is a quite high demand for this product. We already have a number of agreements with prospective buyers and, consequently, are confident in...