It was idled in March 2009 in response to the global downturn in demand. The site has already brought 183 pots back online, with a total of 264 pots expected to be in operation by early April. NkAZ predicts output in 2010 to be 253kt - 10% more than last year.
More than 200 employees from those relocated to work at other smelter facilities have returned to work since the beginning of the capacity restart. Site 1 has also employed an extra 265 people.