Alcan expands Down Under

Montreal-based Alcan (AL-T) will invest A$1.3 billion in the expansion of its Gove alumina refinery in Australia’s Northern Territory.

The move will allow Alcan to increase the refinery’s capacity to about 3.8 million tonnes per year from about 2.1 million tonnes.

Alcan says the Gove expansion represents close to a 30% increase in Alcan’s overall alumina capacity.

“With significant efficiency and environmental enhancements integrated into the project, the Gove mining and alumina operations will be well positioned for superior economic, environmental, and social performance,” says an Alcan spokesman.

Alcan’s decision to proceed with the expansion follows the Northern Territory government’s approval of an associated environmental impact statement in July.

Construction should start before the end of the year, and the expanded facility is expected to be fully operational by 2007.

At peak construction, the expansion will create about 1,700 jobs, while 120 new jobs are expected once the facility is operational.