A South African newspaper reported this month that SUAL, Russia's second-largest aluminium producer, had talked to South African officials about reviving the proposed 660 000-t smelter project, which has been stalled for months as Alcan assesses it.

"I don't know really what (SUAL's) true interest would be . . . I talk to (SUAL president Brian Gilbertson) all the time but not about this," Alcan chief executive Travis Engen said.

Engen said the feasibility study for the project, located 20 km (13 miles) from the southern city of Port Elizabeth, should be out in the second quarter, although it won't be synchronized with Alcan's quarterly results slated for May 9.

Montreal-based Alcan's involvement with Coega stems from its 2003 acquisition of France's Pechiney, which had agreed to be lead investor with a 49% stake.

Alcan is the world's second-biggest producer of primary aluminium. It also makes a vast range of aluminium products.

Speaking to an audience in Vancouver, British Columbia, Engen said Alcan's top priority this year is to complete the integration of Pechiney, the smaller rival it bought 16 months ago for €4-billion. – Reuters.