OREANDA-NEWS. On 23 May 2008 UC RUSAL, the world’s largest aluminium and alumina producer, announced the investment of around USD 50 million into the expansion of cast-house production at Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter. The expansion is required due to the previous introduction of two new potrooms, which increased production capacity of the smelter by 170,000 tonnes of aluminium per annum. The new cast-house workshop will be put into full operation at the end of 2008.

The cast-house workshop will have two new cast-house complexes. Each will contain a Remetal (Spain) cast-house conveyor and two Mexatern (UK) turning mixers. Similar turning mixers have been installed and currently are in use at the Bratsk and Sayanogorsk aluminium smelters. In addition, new transforming stations will be built to supply the new cast-house workshop.

The existing cast-house facility at the Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter produces nine different products, including small ingots, rolled wire, alloys, and aluminium tape. The expansion project will broaden the range of products by also introducing larger 22.5 kg aluminium ingots, which are in high demand.

The expansion project was developed by SibVAMI, the research and engineering institute, part of engineering and construction division of UC RUSAL. The division is the primary contractor of this project.

Two new potrooms were put into operation at the Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter this February. More than 50 of 196 electrolysis cells in the new potline are currently in operation. As part of the new potline project, new gas treatment facilities, an anode rodding area, a new alumina warehouse and infrastructure facilities are being put into operation.