Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation confirmed that its New Madrid aluminum smelter has initiated steps to return operations to full effective capacity including the recall of 38 hourly employees in preparation for the restart of its third potline in early October.

The restart was announced by Mr Jay Nixon governor of Missouri during a visit to the New Madrid facility. Mr Nixon also announced that the State is moving forward with the first USD 3 million of a planned USD 8 million economic development package to support Noranda's employee training and capital investment initiatives at the smelter in the aftermath of the January 2009 ice storm that had severely curtailed 2009 production.

Mr Layle Smith president and CEO of Noranda's said that "We are grateful for this new demonstration of support from Governor Mr Jay Nixon and the State of Missouri. This provides a welcome boost for our New Madrid operations."

Noranda had previously announced that plans to increase production at its alumina refinery in Gramercy, Louisiana and its bauxite mining operations in St Ann in Jamaica. The Gramercy alumina refinery supplies substantially all of the alumina used at the New Madrid smelter. St Ann operates a Jamaican bauxite mine and related facilities pursuant to a partnership agreement with the Government of Jamaica and supplies Gramercy's bauxite requirements.

(Sourced Mine Web)