OREANDA-NEWS. April 21, 2010. Moscow is closely watching the situation at United Co. Rusal’s enterprises in Fria in the Republic of Guinea, where there was an attempted seizure of the Friguia alumina refinery by extremist elements. The action brought production at the plant to a temporary halt and put the physical safety of Russian personnel at risk. The town of Fria, totally dependent on the plant for water and electricity supply, was teetering on the verge of humanitarian catastrophe.

In the last few days Rusal in close collaboration with the Guinean authorities has succeeded in unblocking the plant; the process of restarting normal production activities is in full swing.

The Russian Foreign Ministry expresses the hope that the Guinean side will reaffirm its preparedness to assist the full normalization of the situation around the Friguia alumina refinery. This would be facilitated by the signing of a protocol between Rusal, the authorities and trade unions that would give a principled assessment of the actions of the riot instigators as contrary to Guinean law and provide safeguards against the recurrence of such events, and the possibility of instituting judicial or administrative proceedings against the perpetrators.

That approach by the Guinean side would demonstrate its willingness to tackle its problems with foreign investors in accordance with Guinean and international law and to provide a stable investment environment in the country.