OREANDA-NEWS. UC RUSAL (SEHK: 486, Euronext: RUSAL/RUAL, Moscow Exchange: RUALR/RUALRS), a leading, global aluminium producer, announces an investment of almost RUR 3 bln in constructing new operational sites at SUBR (North Urals Bauxite Mine) channeling some of these funds into technical and equipment upgrade in 2013.

RUSAL has already invested RUR 1.1 bln in building the Cheremukhovskaya-Glubokaya mine, the major mining expansion project at SUBR. The Company plans to spend another RUR 1.2 bln on developing the mine until the end of this year. The overall investments in 2010-2013 earmarked for the development of the Cheremukhovskaya-Glubokaya mine are estimated at RUR 5.5 bln. The commissioning of this mine is scheduled for 2014, which will allow reducing bauxite mining production costs at SUBR.

RUSAL has already spent RUR 285 mln on engineering and construction of new pits and levels at the currently existing mine's sectors. Yet another RUR 191 mln will be allocated for the same purposes until the end of 2013.

The technical revamping is continuing. From January to July 2013, the Company paid RUR 60 mln for modern equipment, and another RUR 130 mln are to be spent on more equipment supplies in the remaining months of 2013.

According to Valeriy Matvienko, the Head of UC RUSAL's Alumina Division, 'large investments have been allocated for bringing our process equipment to a higher level at SUBR, and that will help raise the overall mine's operating efficiency.'

'In particular, in 2013 year we received new underground machinery from our partners: Fahrzeuge loaders (Germany), Boomer drill rigs (Sweden). In August we purchased one Sandvik dump truck from Sweden, which we are already using at our Kalinskaya mine. Another four portable drills, 16 scraper hoists and 20 electric pumps for mine water drainage Sandvik crusher for our limestone quarry were delivered to the mine', added Valery Matvienko.

In addition, RUSAL spent RUR 24 mln on machinery repairs, alarm systems and fire-fighting equipment as well as on improvement of the mine's amenities. Until 2014 the Company has additionally budgeted RUR 21 mln to continue this activity.