A new rolled wire shop is going to be launched at Kyshtym Copper Electrolysis Works (part of Russian Copper Company) on July 14, 2007, Chairman of Russian Copper Company Igor Altushkin declared at a meeting with Governor of Chelyabinsk Region Petr Sumin.

Mr. Altushkin said the new shop would be capable of producing up to 100,000 tons of rolled wire a year; both equipment and technologies were supplied by Southwire, a well-reputed American producer, so the company would be able to produce the best quality goods, namely, A-class rolled wire.

Mr. Altushkin also spoke on the other upgrading projects implemented at Kyshtym Copper Electrolysis Works. In 2005, for instance, the company had its anodic facilities renewed and put up a new electrolysis shop, thus raising the plant’s productivity from 75,000 tons to 120,000 tons of copper cathodes a year. The capacity is estimated to be further enhanced to 160,000 tons a year by June 1, 2008 and to 220,000 tons a year by 2009.

Russian Copper Company has already invested $100m in the plant reconstruction and output expansion.