DUSHANBE, May 15, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The state unitary enterprise, Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco), and its partner, Norway Hydro Aluminium, yesterday signed a protocol on environmental protection, work relief and industrial safety, Ms. Sayohat Qodirova, a spokeswoman fro Talco said.

The document, inked by Talco Managing Director Sadriddin Sharipov and Hydro Aluminium Senior Vice-President Simon Storesund, is dedicated to improve Talco’s activity in the field of environmental protection, work relief and industrial safety.

“By singing this document Talco management states its readiness to comply with international standards of environmental protection, work relief and industrial safety and considers it to be in its duty to work out and introduce Policy and Strategy of the Company for 2010-2013; one of goals of that Strategy will be to acquire partners and get financing for new projects, as well as through the adopted Clean Development Mechanism,” press release issued by Talco said.

Hydro Aluminium, which is the state-controlled Norwegian aluminum producer, is the third largest integrated aluminum company world wide.  In Norway, Hydro has plants in Rjukan, Porsgrunn, Vennesla, Kamoy, Hoyanger, Ardal, Sunndalsora, Holmestrand, Magnor and Ruufoss.  The corporation also has plants abroad.

On December 20, 2006 Tajik Aluminum Plant (TadAZ) and Hydro Aluminium signed an agreement in Dushanbe, under which  the Norwegian company buys 800,000 tons of primary aluminum from Tajik aluminum smelter over the next four years.  Under the agreement, Hydro will annually provide TadAZ with 150,000 tons of alumina.  On October 22, 2008, Talco and Hydro Aluminium reached an agreement on developing feasibility study for construction of the Shurob hydropower plant on the Vakhsh River.