DUSHANBE, February 6, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- A considerable reduction in aluminum production in Tajikistan has reportedly resulted mainly from the falling international aluminum prices.

“According to data of the London Metal Stock Exchange, the price of one ton of aluminum last year fluctuated from US$ 1,793 to US$ 2,203,” Igor Sattarov, a spokesman for the Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO), told journalists on February 5.

Besides, a 125 percent increase in rail service tariffs led to additional nearly US$ 50-million expenditures as compared with 2011, he noted.  “The share of transportation expenditures made more than 30 percent of the cost price of our output,” Sattarov said.

According to him, irregular shipments of Uzbek natural gas have also seriously affected production of aluminum in Tajikistan.

“All this, including unforeseen expenses, has led to nearly US$400.00 increase in expenses on production of each ton of aluminum,” the spokesman added.

Tajikistan reportedly produced 272,500 tons of primary aluminum last year, which was 98.0 percent of the target.

The aluminum plant, run by the Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO), was launched in late March 1975.  It is one of the ten largest aluminum smelters in the world and provides up to 70% of the country’s foreign currency earnings, consuming nearly 30% of the country’s electrical power.  Tajikistan does not mine alumina but imports the raw material through tolling arrangements.