/Almaty bureau REUTERS, October 14, 02/ - Government of Kazakhstan prepares a competition for choosing of investor for building in Pavlodar of electrolysis plant on aluminum production, informed the chief of technical development department of Aluminium of Kazakhstan OJSC Askar Bimaganov to Reuters.

Kazakhstan informed about the plans concerning building of such enterprise as far back as in autumn of 2000. Building of the plant on Aluminum production in Pavlodar was one of the conditions, which had been put for potential purchasers of 31.65 state block of shares of Aluminium of Kazakhstan OJSC, which were exhibited for tender in spring of 2002. Three companies became participants of the tender, but the Government postponed first, and afterwards cancelled this tender.

On the past week Kazakhstan announced that state block of shares of Aluminium of Kazakhstan would be exhibited at the stock exchange since October 24.

Government's representatives still refuse comments concerning the projects of building of the aluminum plant. Nonetheless Bimaganov said that project' preparation continues.

"We have ready technical and economic grounds. Now in the Government there is being prepared decree about conducting of tender (for choosing of the investor)", - informed Bimaganov on Monday over the telephone from Pavlodar. The plant's project capacity, which's approximate cost is $800- 900m, will be 240,000 tons a year.

At present Kazakhstan produces raw stuff only for aluminum production - alumina. Building of electrolysis plant will allow the Republic to create complete technological cycle - from extraction and processing of bauxites to production of aluminum roll and building constructions.

"This will be aluminum ingots. Ingots, weighing 22 kilogram, will be sent to other enterprises for re-melting and production of other different profiles", - informed Bimaganov.

According to his words, decision about the starting date of the new plant building has not been made yet.

Aluminium of Kazakhstan OJSC is a monopolistic alumina producer in the country. The company's production is mainly supplied to Russian aluminum plants.

The company comprises Pavlodar aluminum plant (producing alumina) in the north of Kazakhstan, number of mines and energetic object. Aluminium of Kazakhstan is a art of Eurasian industrial association, which joins transnational company Kazkhrom, Sokolovsko-Sarbaiskoye ore mining and processing union and Eurasian energetic corporation.

[2002-10-14]