UC Rusal resumes operations at its Friguia alumina refinery

Russian aluminium giant UC Rusal-operated Friguia alumina refinery in Guinea has restarted its operations on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. The news came to focus when the West African country’s mines minister reported to Reuters yesterday, on June 21, 2018.

According to the update in May 2017, the refinery was planned to restart in April this year, with an alumina production capacity of 65,000 tonnes per year. But the US-sanctions hit since April 2018 on all Russian aluminium companies, including Rusal, could be the cause for delayed recommencement of the Friguia refinery.

Friguia officially resumed its operations just a day after Rusal declared the beginning of bauxite shipment from its Dian-Dian bauxite project in Guinea to alumina refineries in other countries.

 “The recovery of the Friguia plant will be gradual in two phases. The first phase aims to reach a capacity between 550,000 and 600,000 tonnes,” said Abdoulaye Magassouba, Minister of Mines and Geology to Reuters.

Expected to begin in 2024, the second phase of production is estimated to ramp-up the annual capacity to 1.05 million tonnes by 2026, said Abdoulaye Magassouba further. Feasibility studies for the extension will begin in 2019.

However, Rusal made no mention of the second phase yet, even while speaking about Friguia’s first phase alumina production capacity boost to 550,000-600,000 tonnes within twelve months.

“The commencement of shipments from the Dian-Dian deposit and the resumption of the operation of the Friguia alumina refinery are important developments both for Rusal and the Republic of Guinea,” the company said in the statement.

Guinea is vital for Rusal as the country accounts for 27 per cent of the company’s bauxite production as of now.