UC RUSAL considers Mozambique bauxite project
United Company RUSAL, the world`s largest aluminium producer, is considering mining the raw material bauxite in Mozambique, Interfax news agency reported, citing a Russian government official.
Officials from RUSAL held discussions in December about developing bauxite reserves in the African country, Interfax quoted Mikhail Kamyshin, official representative of Russia`s foreign ministry, as saying.
He was speaking ahead of a three-day visit to Russia by Mozambique`s foreign minister, Alcinda Antonio de Abreu.
RUSAL merged with rival Russian producer SUAL and assets of commodities trader Glencore in March to create a company that accounts for one-eighth of world aluminium production.
United Company RUSAL spokeswoman Vera Kurochkina declined to confirm whether or not the company was looking at Mozambique.
“We are interested in growing our raw material base and are constantly studying different options for its development,” she said.
In Africa, United Company RUSAL already mines bauxite in Guinea and is the majority owner of the Aluminium Smelter Co of Nigeria (ALSCON).
United Company RUSAL is majority owned by Oleg Deripaska, Russia`s second-richest man according to Forbes magazine. (May 31 Reuters)
Information from: www.mining-journal.com
