ALCAN UPDATES COST AND SCHEDULE FOR GOVE EXPANSION PROJECT

Main Menu | News By Date | News By Supplier | News By Category | About Us

ALCAN UPDATES COST AND SCHEDULE FOR GOVE EXPANSION PROJECT
12 July 2007 - Alcan Inc

Alcan has updated its cost estimate and start-up schedule for the Gove alumina refinery expansion and upgrade in the Northern Territory of Australia, reflecting progress, additional tie-in requirements and weather-related delays. The Company has revised its cost estimate to US$2.3 billion.

“Despite extremely tight market conditions in Australia for labour and materials, the project will deliver positive results by significantly improving Alcan’s cost position and capacity in alumina,” said Jacynthe Côté, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alcan Bauxite and Alumina. “In addition to extremely challenging Australian market conditions, cost impacts include additional tie-in integration work that was determined necessary as the expansion neared completion, the appreciation of the Australian dollar, and severe weather conditions that resulted in late delivery of several large pre-assembled modules,” Côté added.

The project was approved and is approximately 95 percent physically complete, with estimated capital spending of US$400 million for 2007. It will increase the refinery's capacity to 3.8 million tonnes per year and is expected to bring Alcan’s internal alumina production capacity into balance with current requirements, and reduce cash costs at Gove by US$30 per tonne.

Expanded production ramp-up will start progressively during 2007 and continue through to 2008, at which time the refinery is expected to reach its nameplate capacity. Saleable production is forecast to be between 2.3 and 2.4 million tonnes, representing an increase of about 500,000-600,000 tonnes compared to 2006’s level of 1.8 million tonnes.

“The Gove project is similar to a number of major construction projects in Australia in having been impacted by increased costs as well as schedule delays,” said Côté. Early in the project, having anticipated tight market conditions and to overcome issues related to the remote location, Alcan implemented an innovative PAM strategy, which entailed a substantial portion of plant components being fabricated in PAM yards off-site and shipped to Gove ready for installation. “Alcan’s PAM strategy partially mitigated the tight Australian market conditions but was unable to offset all cost and scheduling challenges,” concluded Côté.

http://www.alcan.com

About: Alcan Inc
Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminium and packaging, as well as aluminium recycling. The company's operations include primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium and flexible and speciality packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing. Alcan employs 88 000 people and has operating facilities in 58 countries and regions.

More News:
  • For July 2007
  • From Alcan Inc
  • For Aluminium