EIA (Kazakhstan) plans to export alumina to Russia and China

/REUTERS, Almaty, Tatyana Seroshatanova, May 28, 04/ - Kazakhstan Eurasian industrial association (EIA) that builds two aluminum smelters and one alumina refinery eyes on Russian and Chinese markets to export its produce, EIA's press service said on Friday. "Main markets of alumina export will be Russia, China and plants itself. In experts' opinion, expected deficit of alumina in Russia is estimated at 1.0 million tonnes and in China at 0.5 million tonnes. As for aluminum - apparently it is for domestic market, CIS countries and world market", press service told. The Eurasian Industrial Association incorporates a number of Kazakh mining, metals and energy firms, and is owned by Kazakh magnate Alexander Mashkevich. "In Kazakhstan there will be two alumina refineries - existing plant of Aluminum of Kazakhstan JSC in Pavlodar and new one jointly with RusAl, and two aluminum smelters - joint project with RuSal and joint venture with Corica company", the press service said in a statement. The Central Asian state has no aluminium smelter at present, although EIA's Alyumina Kazakhstan alumina producer is building a 240,000 tonnes plant in the northern city of Pavlodar, the first phase of which will be completed at the end of 2007. Swiss Corica AG, a unit of J&W Holding AG owning 31.76 stake in Alyumina Kazakhstan, already launched construction works over aluminum smelter. [2004-05-28]