Outokumpu Technology to deliver new zinc leaching technology to China

STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE OUTOKUMPU TECHNOLOGY OYJ JANUARY 15, 2007 AT 2:00 PM

Outokumpu Technology has agreed with the leading Chinese zinc producer, Hunan Zhuye Torch Metals Co. Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of Zhuzhou Smelter Group Co. Ltd, for the design and delivery of a zinc plant expansion with new environmentally sound leaching technology. The plant is located close to the city of Zhuzhou, Hunan province in China. The contract value is nearly EUR 30 million.

Outokumpu Technology's delivery includes the engineering of a zinc plant with new Atmospheric Direct Leaching Process, iron precipitation and solution purification processes, main equipment supplies as well as supervision of installation and commissioning. The expansion will increase the plant capacity by 100 000 tonnes of zinc per year and the plant is estimated to be operational by July 2008.

Outokumpu Technology has developed a new process for zinc concentrates, called Atmospheric Direct Leaching Process, which eliminates the conventional roasting phase in zinc processing. The process is already in use in Boliden's Kokkola zinc plant in Finland and Odda zinc plant in Norway. Hunan Zhuye Torch Metals selected this process for its expansion because it is an environmentally sound way to produce zinc, it includes recycling of process residues, and it represents the latest technology. A wider selection of zinc concentrates can be used as raw materials in the process, which improves the use of resources.

In order to expand the use of Atmospheric Direct Leaching Process in China, Outokumpu Technology has also signed a Collaboration Agreement with Zhuzhou Smelter Group Co. Ltd.

For additional information please contact:

Outokumpu Technology Oyj
Antti Heikkinen, Vice President - Sales and Marketing, Base Metals
Tel. +358 (0)20 529 2121
E-mail: antti.heikkinen(at)outokumputechnology.com

Eila Paatela, Vice President - Corporate Communications
Tel. +358 (0)20 529 2004, mobile +358 (0)400 817198
E-mail: eila.paatela(at)outokumputechnology.com