Noranda to Increase Production at New Madrid Aluminum Smelter

FRANKLIN, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation (“Noranda”) confirmed that its New Madrid aluminum smelter has initiated steps to return operations to full effective capacity, including the recall of 38 hourly employees in preparation for the restart of its third potline in early October.

“We are grateful for this new demonstration of support from Governor Jay Nixon and the State of Missouri. This provides a welcome boost for our New Madrid operations.”

The restart was announced by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today during a visit to the New Madrid facility. Governor Nixon also announced that the State is moving forward with the first $3 million of a planned $8 million economic development package to support Noranda’s employee training and capital investment initiatives at the smelter in the aftermath of the January 2009 ice storm that had severely curtailed 2009 production.

Layle K. “Kip” Smith, Noranda’s President and CEO said, “We are grateful for this new demonstration of support from Governor Jay Nixon and the State of Missouri. This provides a welcome boost for our New Madrid operations.”

Noranda had previously announced plans to increase production at its alumina refinery in Gramercy, Louisiana and its bauxite mining operations in St. Ann, Jamaica. The Gramercy alumina refinery supplies substantially all of the alumina used at the New Madrid smelter. St. Ann operates a Jamaican bauxite mine and related facilities pursuant to a partnership agreement with the Government of Jamaica and supplies Gramercy’s bauxite requirements.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” which involve risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “anticipates” or similar expressions that relate to Noranda’s strategy, plans or intentions. All statements Noranda makes relating to its estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results or to the Company’s expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and which reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Noranda undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Noranda’s actual results or performance may differ materially from those suggested, expressed or implied by forward-looking statements due to a wide range of factors including, without limitation, the general business environment, fluctuating commodity prices and the Company’s ability to return its New Madrid smelter to full capacity. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of Noranda, please see the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

About the Company

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation is a leading North American integrated producer of value-added primary aluminum products, as well as high quality rolled aluminum coils. Noranda is a private company owned by affiliates of Apollo Management, L.P.