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May
2003 / No. 23 |
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Mines &
Metals |
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Alumina Production another Priority |
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"The most important consideration for the next period
is to approve the aluminum industry expansion strategy bill." |
One of the biggest mineral and
industrial projects planned for inauguration in the near future by President
Khatami relates to the production of alumina using bauxite feedstock in the
town of Jajarm. The potential character of aluminum and its superiority, in
many cases, to other metals and alloys has brought it to the attention of most
industries.
Aluminum is light, strong and 100%
percent recyclable. Aluminum does not create pollution and is the most
environmentally-friendly metal available; moreover, it can easily be combined
with all other metals. The result is usually the lightest and strongest
possible of alloys. Aluminum is therefore used in the airplane manufacturing,
shipbuilding, railroad, and automobile industries because of its features,
which usually reduce vehicle weight, lower fuel usage and increase speed.
Iran Aluminum Company (IRALCO) has been
industrious in attempting to rectify the economic imbalance in Iran and give
it a proper standing in the production of aluminum in the world. The
corporation has been competing with major world companies and other
competition in the Persian Gulf region to gain a prestigious position in the
domain of metals and alloys for Iran. The Managing Director of IRALCO, Seyed
Javad Haghighi, made the following comments:
IRALCO, Top Stock Market Profit maker:
The fact that IRALCO was the top profit maker on the stock market last year
was due to a variety of factors. The strong presence of IRALCO in the stock
market points to the fact that there is much room for development and
improvement in Iran’s aluminum industry.
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"IRALCO has been industrious in attempting to rectify
the economic imbalance in Iran and give it a proper standing in the
production of aluminum in the world." |
IRALCO activities in 2002-2003:
IRALCO directed its efforts to renovating Iran’s aluminum industry, which
formally began by the inking of credit contracts between EXIM Bank and Bank
Saderat to give cost-effective credit facilities to the Chinese government.
Next a L/C contract was signed between IRALCO and NFC of China for the
experimental commissioning of the Jajarm Alumina Plant, utilizing imported
bauxite and aiming for the production of 120,000 tons of alumina in the
2002-2003 period. The Arak reclaimed-bed bauxite was extracted, used and part
of its deposits were exported. Further activities included the operation of
the first phase of the ALMAHDI project with the capacity to produce 55,000
tons of aluminum and the signing, with an Italian company, a contract for the
second phase of the ALMAHDI Aluminum Production Complex.
Research on Aluminum:
A wealth of research has been carried out at
the university level and we believe that our associations with the higher
educational institutes and the formation of scientific committees, composed of
intellectual elite, will significantly expedite the flourishing of the
aluminum industry in Iran. In the 2003-2004 period, there will be emphasis on
practical research. It is our intention to set up the Center for Aluminum
Industry Research and a scientific committee. We intend to centralize and
coordinate all investigation schemes.
Plans for the 2003-2004 period:
The most important consideration for the next period is to approve the
aluminum industry expansion strategy bill and at the same time set up the
required guidelines for the industry in fourth and fifth development plans.
Other objectives are renovating of the Arak Aluminum Complex, completing the
third phase of the ALMAHDI project, commissioning and operating the Jajarm
Alumina Complex at full capacity using local bauxite and conducting
feasibility studies on the establishment of an alumina factory in Jajarm.
The Iranian aluminum industry has many
potential projects for its development and there will be a complete makeover
within the industry during the fourth and fifth development plans. The planned
projects will increase aluminum production from 160,000 tons in 2002 to a
million tons; and alumina manufacture from 120,000 tons to two million tons.
Petroleum coke, which is at present can only be imported, will be produced at
the rate of 450,000 tons a year.
During the same period the aluminum
industry is expected to produce part of the country’s electricity. There will
also be the development of the South Alumina project, the alumina production
scheme from Nephalin Cyanate in Azerbaijan, the Jajarm Alumina venture for the
higher handicraft industries, the three phases of the ALMAHDI Aluminum plant,
the South Aluminum project and the development of the petroleum coke and the
electricity plant, in which IRALCO will actively participate.
Privatization plans:
There is exists an intention to privatize from within the organization and
plans are being drawn up to begin privatizing the ALMAHDI Aluminum Company,
which holds first priority in this regard. All this depends on the decision of
the Board of Directors of the company and will take place in such a way as not
to harm the industry as a whole. |
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CURRENT ISSUE |
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May 2003 / No. 23 |
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