Hatch SNC-Lavalin joint venture awarded contract for new AP60 smelter for Rio
Tinto Alcan

MONTRÉAL, Dec. 22 /CNW/ - Hatch has received the go-ahead from Rio Tinto Alcan for the implementation of the first phase of the company's AP60 project in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Québec. Hatch, as a 50/50 joint-venture partner with SNC-Lavalin, will provide project management, engineering, procurement, construction management and pre-commissioning services to implement the AP60 aluminum smelting technology. The new technology, which is more energy-efficient and cost-effective than others used in the industry, aims to deliver 40% higher output per pot than at existing smelters.

Hatch has been involved in the project since the initial development phase. In addition to funds already invested, Rio Tinto Alcan has approved $758 million to complete the first phase of the AP60 plant, which will include 38 pots for an aluminum production capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year. The project also includes associated infrastructure for Phase 1 and future phases.

"Hatch is proud to be involved in this exciting project featuring the first time industrial application of Rio Tinto Alcan's AP60 aluminum reduction technology," declared Joe Lombard, Global Managing Director, Light Metals, and Member of the Board of Hatch. "During the Pre-feasibility and Feasibility phases of the project, we introduced several innovative and value creating ideas into the scope of the new facility.  Working in close cooperation with our EPCM partner, with suppliers and with contractors, our focus will now be on building in Jonquière the most modern aluminum smelter in the world, safely, on time and on budget."

Design and construction activities are underway for Phase 1 with an expected completion date of 2013.

About Hatch

Hatch is an employee-owned multidiscipline firm that provides custom process design, business strategies, technologies, and project and construction management from 65 offices around the world for clients in the Metals, Infrastructure, and Energy market sectors. Programs and projects under management by Hatch have an aggregate value of US$35 billion.

Hatch was recently named one of the 50 Best-Managed Companies in Canada, and has won more than 30 project-excellence and safety awards. The Project Management Institute recently presented the PMI International Project of the Year Award to Hatch.

For more information on Hatch, please visit our website www.hatch.ca

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