Russian Company Interested in Bauxite Mining in Fiji

Slowly but surely, Fiji, under the failed leadership of the illegal and treasonous Bainimarama go further and further afield seeking new friends.

This new mining interest will now join China's current ventures in Bauxite.

From: Minfonews [mailto:news@info.gov.fj]
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2011 10:13 AM
To: Minfonews
Subject: RUSSIAN COMPANY INTERESTED IN BAUXITE MINING

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
MEDIA RELEASE  
(Thursday June 16th 2011, No:1219/MLMR)
RUSSIAN COMPANY INTERESTED IN BAUXITE MINING

Russian Company UC RUSAL has expressed interest to explore potential bauxite mining and export opportunities in the country.

Led by RUSAL Australia chairman Mr John Hannagan, the three-member team was received by the Ministry of Lands & Mineral Resources acting permanent secretary Mr Pene Baleinabuli together with senior officials of the ministry yesterday.

Established in March 2007, following the merger of assets of three companies; RUSAL, previously the third largest global aluminum  company; SUAL, one of the world’s top ten players in the aluminum business; and the alumina assets of Glencore (Switzerland), UC RUSAL is now the world’s largest producer of aluminum.

Mr Baleinabuli assured members of the visiting delegation that the ministry would look at options to accommodate their interest. Mr Baleinabuli expressed gratitude to the team in its interest to invest in Fiji.

“Your interest will greatly boost the mining sector in the country, something that we are banking on to greatly assist the nation in terms of socio-economic development,” Mr Baleinabuli added.

Department of Mineral Resources acting director Mr Venasio Nasara, highlighted there were some prospect areas of Bauxite in the region which is located between Ba and Lautoka.

UC RUSAL’s assets include bauxite & nepheline ore mines, alumina refineries, aluminums smelters, casthouse business for alloys production, aluminum foil mills and production of aluminum packing and materials as well as power-generating assets. .

Spread across 19 countries in five continents, the operations and office of UC RUSAL employs about 72,000 people.

Strategically, UC RUSAL, both an energy and metals company, has further plans for growth by utilizing its access to power resources, exceptional in-house research & development capabilities and the expertise of its highly-qualified personnel.