CRU Events would like to confirm that the new dates for the 13th World Aluminium Conference taking place in Chongqing, China, have been changed to 9-12 June 2008, not 14-16 May 2008 as previously advertised. If you have previously included information on the conference on your website/in your publication, kindly amend the dates to 8 -11 June 2008.

In 2008 CRU is proud to be bringing its World Aluminium conference to Chongqing, the home of South West aluminium and the heartland of the continuing Chinese investment in downstream aluminium production.  The market focussed its attentions on upstream investments during early 2007 and we held our conference in the Kingdom of Bahrain, a region experiencing rapid smelter investment. 

However, we find ourselves spending more time looking at downstream investment and we were therefore very happy to accept the kind invitation of CHALCO to come to China in 2008. China success is not just limited to this market segment though.  Across the aluminium value chain the Chinese market has been the engine of growth for the global aluminium market over the last 5 years. 

The following questions and many more will be addressed at the 13^th World Aluminium Conference:

+ In bauxite and alumina China remains a large importer and trading partner for producers in Australia, India, Indonesia and other Asia Pacific countries.  What does the future hold?  How much domestic bauxite resource exists in China?  What is the cost of refining production in China?

+ In smelting China is now the largest aluminium producer in the world.  This capacity is also increasingly exposed to cost inflation as authorities seek to ensure smelters pay the 'true cost' of power.  Export tariffs for primary aluminium have switched from a 15% rebate to a 15% charge in recent months.  However CRU believes that production will still increase by over 3m tonnes in 2008.  Can the world continue to rely on China to provide new smelters?  If not who will meet our long term smelting needs?  What does this mean for independent European and US smelters fully exposed to market bauxite, power and carbon prices?

+ Chinese industry is now making large investments in aluminium downstream facilities.  Principally to supply its own domestically lead consumption growth (that CRU forecasts will grow 5 fold on a kg per capital basis in the next 25 years).  These investments are, however, affecting us all.  Chinese semis exports are also increasing, aided by a low SHFE (relative to LME).  When will the growth slow?  What is the policy of China towards semis exports?

The conference will provide delegates will comprehensive update and insight into the latest movements of the worldwide aluminium industry brought to you by leaders in the field.

Confirmed speakers include:

Xiao Yaqing, President, Aluminium Corporation of China Limited
Ding Haiyan, Vice President, Aluminium Corporation of China Limited
Zhao Shiqing, General Manager, Southwest Aluminium (Group) Co., Ltd
Mayor/Vice Major of Chongqing City
Mahmood M Daylami, Deputy Chief Executive (Chief Operating Officer), Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. ?
John Redstone, Senior Analyst Metals and Mining, Desjardins Securities
Daniel Brebner, Executive Director, Commodities Research, UBS AG
Dr Paul Messenger, CEO, Cape Alumina Pty Ltd
Ron Knapp, Executive Director, Australian Aluminium Council
Paul Robinson, Group Manager Non-Ferrous Metals, CRU Analysis
Colin Pratt, Managing Consultant, CRU Strategies
Artem Volynets, Director for Corporate Strategy, UC RUSAL
Torstein Dale Sj?tveit, Executive Vice President, Hydro Aluminium

For updates to the agenda and confirmed speaker list, please visit: http://www.cru-aluminium-conference.crugroup.com

 * INFORMATION ABOUT CRU:

CRU is an independent business analysis and consultancy group focusing on the mining, metals, power, cables, fertilizers and chemicals sectors.  Founded in the late 1960s, and still privately owned to ensure its independence, the group employs more than 180 experts in London, Beijing, Singapore and key centres in the United States.  For more information about CRU, please visit http://www.crugroup.com.

 Kind regards,

CRU Events

Email: cruevents@crugroup.com
http://www.cruevents.com