Mar 1 2005
Alcoa has announced that Suralco, owned by Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals - a global alliance between Alcoa and Alumina Ltd., with Alcoa holding 60 percent - has completed the 250,000 metric ton per year (mtpy) expansion of its alumina refinery in Paranam, Suriname six months ahead of schedule. The 250,000 mtpy expansion, completed at a total cost of approximately $65 million or approximately $260/ton, brings the facility's total capacity to approximately 2.2 million mtpy.
Suralco and an affiliate of BHP Billiton own 55% and 45%, respectively, of the Paranam facility.
"The expansion has gone well, and we've been ahead of schedule throughout the project, which wasn't slated to be finished mechanically until the third quarter of 2005," said Warren M. Pedersen, Suralco's managing director.
Alcoa's presence in Suriname extends back to 1916. The business, now known as Suriname Aluminum Company, L.L.C. (Suralco), originally focused on mining bauxite. In 1958, Suralco signed an agreement with the government of Suriname to develop the country's hydropower and bring the aluminum industry to Suriname. The company continues to explore opportunities to grow in the country.