Moscow 12 August 2003: SUAL Group, one of the world’s top ten aluminium producers, today announces the appointment of Brent Hegger as Project Director of the Komi Aluminium project, SUAL Group’s proposed integrated aluminium production complex. This project, based in the Komi Republic in the Russian Federation, is aimed at developing a greenfield 1.4 million tonnes per annum alumina refinery, and an aluminium smelter with up to 500,000 tonnes annual production capacity. Brent will be responsible for overseeing engineering, procurement and construction for this project.

Brent joins SUAL from engineering and construction company SNC-Lavalin Inc., where he most recently directed the SNC-Lavalin/Murray & Roberts Joint Venture for the US$1.2 billion brown-field expansions of the Mozal and Hillside AP30 aluminium smelters in Maputo, Mozambique and Richards Bay, South Africa respectively. Prior to this, Brent was Project Manager of the original US$ 1.3 billion greenfield AP30 Mozal smelter project.

Brent has over 25 years experience in multi-disciplinary projects in the industrial, mining & metallurgy and transportation sectors. He has led teams in the implementation of projects in excess of US$1 billion in a number of territories, including Canada, Southern Africa, Malaysia and South America.

Commenting on Brent’s appointment, Vladimir Kremer, President of Komi Aluminium said: «Brent’s appointment as project director is excellent news for the Komi Aluminium project. We are delighted to be able to attract a project director of his international experience and calibre, and this further illustrates the significant potential that our project presents. Brent brings with him a detailed knowledge of project management methods and systems, and considerable experience in project execution under joint venture partnerships.»

Brent Hegger, Project Director for the Komi Aluminium project, said:
«I am looking forward to participating in the exciting and challenging Komi Aluminium complex. I’m confident that working together as a team we will achieve world class, benchmark results in terms of our production, quality, cost, schedule, health & safety and environment. I’m also looking forward to working closely with Russian engineering, manufacturing and construction firms, as well as international specialist suppliers, in the implementation of this project.»