Alcan to launch concept study on development of alumina ore and refinery in Madagascar

Toronto reported on November 9th that Alcan Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Access MadagascarSarl to jointly develop a project for the development of a titanite and alumina refinery. If the project can be completed, its initial annual production capacity will reach 1 million to 1.5 million tons of alumina. Access controls the development of the Manantini district in southeastern Madagasca. Alcan stated that the study's content is whether the mineral reserves in the Manantini region will enable the company to establish a solid platform to maintain its main competitive advantage, including top-quality technologies, and whether it can Companies affiliated with the company maintain a good economic, environmental and social conditions. Alcan and Access will carry out the concept study on the reserves, logistics (including cost estimation) and analysis of social and environmental conditions of ferro-alumite in the Manantini region. It is expected that this study will be completed in the second quarter of 2007 and then feasibility studies may continue.