Chinalco to start Australia project

Aluminum Corp of China (Chinalco), the country's largest alumina and aluminum producer, plans to start construction of its Aurukun bauxite mining project in Australia at the end of 2009.

"We are now doing the feasibility study for the project. We aim to start construction by the end of next year," said Xiao Yaqing, general manager of Chinalco.

The feasibility study started at the end of 2007, and will last about two years. During the study, an environmental evaluation will also be completed, he said.