Governor Jay Nixon Announces New Madrid Smelter Expansion

NEW MADRID, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation (“Noranda”) and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announced that Noranda’s New Madrid aluminum smelter has initiated steps to complete a $38 million capital project. The project will infuse more than $20 million into the local economy during construction. Noranda expects the project to increase the smelter’s annual metal production by approximately 35 million pounds by 2013.

“Our New Madrid smelter is critical to building a sustainable, integrated aluminum company founded on growth and successful long-term relationships with our customers, co-workers, suppliers, communities and investors”

Governor Nixon also announced an additional $1 million in economic development support for Noranda’s New Madrid operations, bringing the total economic development package to $9 million.

“Noranda’s plan to complete its $38 million expansion program is positive news for Southeast Missouri,” said Governor Jay Nixon. “This is my third visit to Noranda’s New Madrid smelter, and I am thrilled at the continued reports of growth and expansion. The State of Missouri values Noranda’s presence, which provides jobs to more than 850 Southeast Missouri citizens. It is my pleasure to deliver this latest $1 million installment of an economic development package totaling $9 million.”

“Our New Madrid smelter is critical to building a sustainable, integrated aluminum company founded on growth and successful long-term relationships with our customers, co-workers, suppliers, communities and investors,” said Layle K. “Kip” Smith, Noranda’s President and CEO. “We appreciate the continued contributions of Governor Nixon and the State of Missouri in supporting our employees and strengthening the sustainability of our operations in New Madrid.”

In mid-2008, Noranda launched a $48 million capital project to increase production capacity at the New Madrid smelter. In early-2009, as a result of declining market conditions, the Company suspended the New Madrid expansion program. Today’s announcement marks the re-launch of that program.

About Noranda

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 public company (NYSE: NOR) controlled by affiliates of its private equity sponsor.

Noranda is the largest employer in the Southeast Region of Missouri, comprising 15 counties, including New Madrid County. Noranda’s New Madrid aluminum smelter has annual production capacity of approximately 580 million pounds (263,000 metric tonnes), which represented more than 15% of total 2009 U.S. primary aluminum production.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company’s belief regarding future results, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. It is possible that actual results may differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect future results, see the discussion in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.