The first section of the electrolysis facility at UC RUSAL’s Bogoslovsky smelter is expected to be fully dismantled by May 9, 2012. However, some sources at the plant think this might also happen earlier, namely, before April 1, 2012, Uralsky Rabochiy reports.

UC RUSAL decided to shut down the older electrolysis series that are not fitted with any gas-purification units. Governor Alexander Misharin announced he could not agree with the company management’s decision to close down the facility, as this will result in massive job losses.

In the meantime, the company claims that the aluminum production at the plant is extremely unprofitable due to high electricity costs.