DUSHANBE, May 3, Asia-Plus / – Tajik Aluminum Plant (TadAZ) has produced 98,300 tons of aluminum in January-March this year, which is 9.2 percent more compared to the same period of 2005, press release issued by TadAZ says.
In the first quarter of 2006, additional production ratings have been created at the plant but shortage of electricity during the autumn-winter period has not allowed putting the production ratings into operation, according to the press release. “Intensive launch of electrolysisers with regard to increase in electricity supplies will allow producing further 600 tons of aluminum,” the press release says, noting that 46 electrolysisers have been repaired since the beginning of the year.
“In January-March 2006, supply of local electricity has been reduced considerably (by 27.5 percent) and the plant has been obliged to purchase electricity from
Uzbekistan
and
Kyrgyzstan
,” the press release says.
TadAZ has concluded contracts on direct supply of 640 million kWh of electricity from
Uzbekistan
and 1 billion kWh of electricity from
Kyrgyzstan
in the autumn-winter season.
A revenue part of the plant’s budget has amounted to 16.1 million Somonis (equivalent to more than US$5 million). The balance profit of the plant has amounted to 102 million Somonis. Of this amount, 5.4 million Somonis have gone to implementing social programs.
Compared to January-March 2005 an external trade turnover of Tajik Aluminum Plant in the first quarter of this year has increased by 63.4 percent and amounted to US$437.2 million. The trade balance was positive and mounted to US$30 million.
To increase production potentials of TadAZ an investment program for 2006 was adopted. “The estimated budget for the implementation of this investment project is US$19.6 million,” the press release says, noting that the plant has neither external nor domestic means for implementation of the investment program.
TadAZ heeds environmental impact and takes measures to minimize influence on the environment. In the first quarter of 2006, 5.1 million Somonis have been provided 5.1 million for holding environmental protection events.
This year, Tajik Aluminum Plant intends to produce 404,500 tons of aluminum. We will recall that TadAZ last year produced 381,700 tons of primary aluminum.
