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NEW INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION PROCESS DUE TO THE EXHAUSTION OF MINING RESOURCES
Alcan Inc. announces that its subsidiary, Société Générale de Recherches et d'Exploitations Minières (Sogerem), has begun an information and consultation process with its employee representatives and local partners due to the exhaustion of mining resources in the Tarn Region of France. The discussions will focus on identifying solutions for all those that would be affected by the potential conclusion of its fluorspar mining operation. "We have begun working closely with all parties to allow for optimal management of the situation, which would include rehabilitation of the operation's current sites and revitalization of the local community," said Jean-Philippe Puig, President, Atlantic Operations, Alcan Bauxite and Alumina. The future of Sogerem relies on its current Burg, Moulinal and Montroc mines, whose remaining reserves were re-estimated in August. Results confirmed that the mines contained an insufficient volume of fluorspar to sustain the business in the future. Furthermore, Sogerem has annually conducted prospecting surveys in the region to identify new, exploitable fluorspar deposits that would maintain and grow its business. Despite employing the most advanced prospecting technology available, this year's results confirm that there are no new significant fluorspar deposits in the Tarn region. "Sogerem itself has been present in the region since 1971, while the mines have been operational for more than 60 years. We are very conscious of our responsibilities and we intend to manage the social and human consequences of this inevitable situation in the most sensitive way," said Didier Béguin, Sogerem's General Manager. Sogerem employs almost 80 people, mines approximately 200,000 tonnes of ore annually, and represents Alcan's only fluorspar mining operation.
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