OREANDA-NEWS. May 19, 2011. UC RUSAL (SEHK: 486, Euronext: RUSAL/RUAL, MICEX: RUALR, RTS: RUAL), the world’s largest aluminium producer, announces that in connection with the collapse of the railway bridge over Abakan River in Khakas region that was used to deliver, among other freights, raw materials to Sayanogorsk and Khakas aluminium smelters, the Company decided to reduce production at both smelters. The volume of the production reduced is expected to near 20,000 tons that the Company will seek to reallocate to other smelters.

After the railway bridge across Abakan River collapsed on May 7, company's smelters in Sayanogorsk started to use automotive transportation to keep raw material supply until the recovery of the railway transport. Considering that the automotive freight traffic volume is not sufficient for current needs of the smelters, the decision was taken to temporary reduce the production at both plants and compensate it by reallocation to other smelters.

The Company jointly with Khakass Republic authorities is undertaking all necessary actions for the fastest recovery of the railway transportation. Republic has also started construction of the temporary rail bridge on the spot of the collapsed bridge near Kamyshta railway station. The bridge is planned to be rebuilt in June. This will enable to provide smelters with the necessary supplies of raw materials and return to daily average production rates. This situation may lead to decrease of the Company's aluminium production forecast for the current year.