UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

_______________

FORM 20-F/A
(Amendment No.1)

[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 001-15264

logo
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)

People's Republic of China
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

_______________

No. 62 North Xizhimen Street, Hai Dian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China (100082)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

_______________

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each Class
American Depositary Shares, each representing 25 H Shares
Class H Ordinary Shares*

Name of Each Exchange on which Registered
New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. The Ordinary H Shares are also listed and traded on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)

 


 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of December 31, 2006:

Domestic Shares, par value RMB1.00 per share

7,705,910,185

 

 

H Shares, par value RMB1.00 per share

3,943,965,968

 

 

(including 406,067,500H Shares in the form of American Depository Shares)

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes [X] No [ ]

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Security Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes [ ] No [X]

Note-Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [ ]

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17 [ ] Item 18 [X]

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)

Yes [ ] No [X]

 


 

Explanatory Note

 

This Amendment to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on June 20, 2007 (the Original Form 20-F), amends and adds certain pages to the Original 20-F to include certain supplemental information. For presentation purposes only, this Report restates in its entirety the Original 20-F. Except as otherwise stated in this Report, all information presented in this Report, including forward looking statements, is as at June 20, 2007 and has not been updated for events subsequent to the date of the original filing. Certain disclosures are expressly presented as of an earlier date in accordance with disclosure requirements applicable to Form 20-F.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Pages

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

i

 

Certain Terms and Conventions

ii

 

 

 

PART I

Item 1.

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

1

 

Item 2.

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

2

 

Item 3.

Key Information

2

 

Item 4.

Information on the Company

14

 

Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

47

 

Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

71

 

Item 7.

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

83

 

Item 8.

Financial Information

91

 

Item 9.

The Offer and Listing

93

 

Item 10.

Additional Information

94

 

Item 11.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

124

 

Item 12.

Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

127

 

 

 

 

PART II

Item 13.

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

127

 

Item 14

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

127

 

Item 15

Controls and Procedures

127

 

Item 16

[Reserved]

128

 

Item 16A

Audit Committee Financial Expert

128

 

Item 16B

Code of Ethics

128

 

Item 16C

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

129

 

Item 16D

Exemption from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

129

 

Item 16E

Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

130

 

 

 

 


 

PART III

Item 17.

Financial Statements

130

 

Item 18.

Financial Statements

130

 

Item 19.

Exhibits

130

 

 

 

 


 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain information contained in this annual report, which does not relate to historical financial information may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements. The words or phrases "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," "believe" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. We wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to:

 

*

future prices and demand for our products;

 

 

*

future PRC tariff levels for alumina and primary aluminum;

 

 

*

sales of our products;

 

 

*

the amount and nature of, and potential for, future development;

 

 

*

production, consumption and demand forecasts of bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum;

 

 

*

expansion, consolidation or other trends in the primary aluminum industry;

 

 

*

the effectiveness of our cost-saving measures;

 

 

*

future expansion plans and capital expenditures;

 

 

*

expected production capacity increases;

 

 

*

competition;

 

 

*

changes in legislation, regulations and policies;

 

 

*

estimates of proven and probable bauxite reserves;

 

 

*

our research and development plans; and

 

 

*

our dividend policy.

 

 

These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in particular circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depends on a number of risks and uncertainties, which could

 

- i -

 


 

cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. These risks are more fully described in the section entitled "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors".

 

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this annual report are qualified by these cautionary statements. We cannot assure you that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected effect on us or our business or operations.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, statistical and market trend information, as well as statements related to market position and competitive data, are based on our internal statistics and/or estimates gathered from our own research and/or various publicly available sources.

 

CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS

 

Translations of amounts in this annual report from Renminbi into U.S. dollars and vice versa have been made at the rate of RMB7.8041 to US$1.00, which was the noon buying rate in the New York City for cable transfers in Renminbi per U.S. dollar as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 29, 2006. You should not construe these translations as representations that the Renminbi amounts actually represent U.S. dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at that rate or at all. See "Item 3. Key Information - Exchange Rate Information" for information regarding the noon buying rates from January 1, 2002 through May 31, 2007.

 

We publish our financial statements in Renminbi.

 

Various amounts and percentages set out in this document have been rounded and, accordingly, are not the exact figures and may not total.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this annual report to:

 

"A Share" are to the domestic ordinary shares, with a nominal value of RMB1.00 each;

 

"Alcoa" are to Alcoa International (Asia) Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong;

 

"alumina-to-silica ratio" are to the ratio of alumina to silica by weight found in bauxite;

 

"aluminum fabrication" are to the process of taking primary aluminum and converting it into plates, strips, bars, tubes, etc. which can be further converted into consumer or other end products;

 

"bauxite" are to mineral ores whose composition is principally alumina;

 

"Bayer process" are to a refining process employed to extract alumina from ground bauxite with a strong solution of caustic soda at an elevated temperature;

 

"brownfield development" are to development projects at existing plants or facilities;

 

"CCB" are to China Construction Bank, a PRC state-owned bank established pursuant to PRC government approval;

 

"Chalco," "the Company", "the Group", "our company," "we," "our" and "us" are to Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its subsidiaries and, where appropriate, to its predecessors;

 

"China" and the "PRC" are to the People's Republic of China, excluding for purposes of this annual report, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan;

 

"China Cinda" are to China Cinda Asset Management Corporation, a PRC state-owned financial enterprise established pursuant to PRC government approval;

 

"China Development Bank" are to a PRC state-owned bank established pursuant to PRC government approval;

 

- ii -

 


 

"Chinalco" and the "ultimate holding company" are to our controlling shareholder, Aluminum Corporation of China and its subsidiaries (other than Chalco and its subsidiaries) and, where appropriate, to its predecessors;

 

"China Orient" are to China Orient Asset Management Corporation, a PRC state-owned financial enterprise established pursuant to PRC government approval;

 

"diasporite" are to a mineral of bauxite deposits with the chemical composition of Al(2)O(3) * H(2)O;

 

"Exchange Act" are to The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

 

"fabricating ingots" are to the primary aluminum or aluminum alloy ingots that may be used directly in the aluminum fabrication process;

 

"Fushun Aluminum" are to Fushun Aluminum Company Limited, our subsidiary that is established under PRC law;

 

"Gansu Hualu" are to Gansu Hualu Aluminum Company Limited, our subsidiary that is established under PRC law;

 

"gibbsitic" are to a mineral of bauxite deposits with the chemical composition of Al(2)O(3) * 3H(2)O;

 

"greenfield investment" are to investment projects to construct new plants or facilities;

 

"Guangxi Investment" are to Guangxi Investment (Group) Co., Ltd. formerly known as Guangxi Development and Investment Co., Ltd., a PRC state-owned enterprise established in the PRC and one of our promoters and shareholders;

 

"Guizhou Development" are to Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation, a PRC state-owned enterprise established in the PRC and one of our promoters and shareholders;

 

"HK$" and "HK dollars" are to Hong Kong dollars, the lawful currency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC;

 

"H Shares" are to overseas listed foreign shares of par value RMB1.00 each, which are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and subscribed for and traded in HK dollars;

 

"Hong Kong Stock Exchange" are to The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited;

 

"hybrid Bayer-sintering process" are to the refining process developed in China which involves the application of the Bayer process and the sintering process in combination to extract alumina from bauxite more efficiently;

 

"ingots" and "remelt ingots" are to the international standard primary metal products from an aluminum smelter. Remelt ingots are the aluminum ingots generally remelted before being cast into alloyed products or used for aluminum fabrication;

 

"Jiaozuo Wanfang" are to Jiaozuo Wanfang Aluminum Company Limited, our associated company that is established under PRC law, in which we hold 29% of its equity interest;

 

"kA" are to kiloamperes, a unit for measuring the strength of an electric current, with one kiloampere equal to 1,000 amperes;

 

"kWh" are to kilowatt hours, a unit of electrical power, meaning one kilowatt of power for one hour;

 

"Lanzhou Aluminum" are to Lanzhou Aluminum Corporation Limited, previously our associated company that was a joint stock limited company established under the PRC law, whose A Shares were traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. After our A Share issuance on April 30, 2007, it became our wholly-owned subsidiary;

 

- iii -

 


 

"Listing Rules" are to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (as amended from time to time);

 

"NYSE" are to New York Stock Exchange;

 

"ore-dressing Bayer process" are to a refining process we developed which involves the treatment of bauxite in order to increase its alumina-to-silica ratio so as to allow the Bayer process to then be applied;

 

"provinces" are to provinces and to provincial-level autonomous regions and municipalities in China, excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region, and Taiwan, which are directly under the supervision of the central PRC government;

 

"refining" are to the chemical process required to produce alumina from bauxite;

 

"RMB" are to Renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC;

 

"NDRC" are to China National Development and Reform Commission;

 

"SASAC" are to State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council;

 

"Shandong Aluminum" are to Shandong Aluminum Industry Co., Limited, previously our majority owned subsidiary that is established under PRC law, whose A shares were traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. After our A Share issuance on April 30, 2007, it has become our wholly-owned subsidiary;

 

"Shandong Huayu" are to Shandong Huayu Aluminum and Power Company Limited, our subsidiary that is established under PRC law;

 

"Shanxi Huasheng" are to Shanxi Huasheng Aluminum Company Limited, our subsidiary that is established under PRC law;

 

"Shanxi Huaze" are to Shanxi Huaze Aluminum and Power Co., Limited, our subsidiary that is established under PRC law;

 

"sintering process" are to a refining process employed to extract alumina from ground bauxite by mixing with supplemental materials and burning in a coal fired kiln;

 

"smelting" are to the electrolytic process required to produce molten aluminum from alumina;

 

"tonne" are to the metric ton, a unit of weight, with one metric ton equal to 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.6 pounds;

 

"US$" are to U.S. dollars, the lawful currency of the United States of America;

 

"WTO" are to World Trade Organization; and

 

"Zunyi Aluminum" are to Zunyi Aluminum Company Limited, our subsidiary that is established under PRC law.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS

 

 

Not applicable.

 

- 1 -

 


 

ITEM 2.

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.

KEY INFORMATION

 

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Historical Financial Information

 

The following tables present our summary income statement data and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006; and the summary balance sheet data as of December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The summary balance sheet data as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 and income statement and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The summary balance sheet data as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 and income statement and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 have been derived from our historical financial statements as of and for such dates, which are not included in this annual report. We have changed certain of our accounting policies following the adoption of the new/revised Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards ("HKFRS" or "HKGAAP"), effective for accounting periods commencing on or after January 1, 2005. As a result, we have reclassified/restated certain income statement and balance sheet data for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 as required in accordance with the relevant requirements. Unless otherwise indicated, the financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Hong Kong. For a reconciliation of our net income and equity under HK GAAP to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, also known as "U.S. GAAP", see Note 35 to our audited consolidated financial statements. For more information, please see "Item 5 - Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - U.S. GAAP Reconciliation".

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 


 

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2006

 







 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$(4)

 

(restated(1))

(restated(1))

(restated(1))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share and per ADS data)

 

 

- 2 -

 


 

INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HK GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue(2)

17,273,542

23,799,474

32,959,343

37,826,486

61,896,265

7,931,250

Cost of sales(2)

13,828,477

16,972,503

22,095,880

25,542,555

41,894,313

5,368,244

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit(2)

3,445,065

6,826,971

10,863,463

12,283,931

20,001,952

2,563,006

Other (income) and other (gains)/losses, net(2)

(54,286)

(9,246)

(47,656)

(120,720)

(564,619)

(72,349)

Selling and distribution expenses(3)

501,829

549,432

672,311

720,497

958,133

122,773

General and administrative expenses(3)

733,803

1,047,461

1,196,123

1,489,537

2,092,669

268,151

Research and development expenses

131,941

173,359

132,635

113,381

113,529

14,547

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

2,131,778

5,065,965

8,910,050

10,081,236

17,402,240

2,229,884

Finance costs

476,100

439,897

109,948

366,908

715,717

91,710

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit after finance costs

1,655,678

4,626,068

8,800,102

9,714,328

16,686,523

2,138,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 3 -

 


 

Share of (losses)/profits of jointly controlled entities

(254)

1,193

(3,953)

372

(11,419)

(1,463)

Share of profits of associates

-

-

-

26,947

105,141

13,472

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before income tax expenses

1,655,424

4,627,261

8,796,149

9,741,647

16,780,245

2,150,183

Income tax expense

190,921

920,159

2,161,086

2,495,213

4,393,561

562,981

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the year

1,464,503

3,707,102

6,635,063

7,246,434

12,386,684

1,587,202

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity holders of the Company

1,417,681

3,549,732

6,391,523

7,022,422

11,744,676

1,504,937

Minority interest

46,822

157,370

243,540

224,012

642,008

82,265

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,464,503

3,707,102

6,635,063

7,246,434

12,386,684

1,587,202

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

472,496

1,060,788

1,944,778

2,364,673

3,672,137

470,539

Basic and diluted net earnings per share

0.13

0.34

0.58

0.64

1.03

0.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 4 -

 


 

Basic and diluted net earnings per ADS (5)

3.34

8.46

14.47

15.89

25.67

3.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

2,434,333

5,368,520

9,214,004

10,360,542

17,456,596

2,236,849

Net income

1,493,582

3,797,175

6,622,916

7,229,167

11,726,471

1,502,604

Basic and diluted net earnings per share

0.14

0.36

0.60

0.65

1.03

0.13

Basic and diluted net earnings per ADS (5)

3.50

9.04

15.00

16.36

25.63

3.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Operating Profit (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HK GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alumina

1,388,712

5,099,164

9,333,353

10,312,306

13,341,914

1,709,603

Primary aluminum

1,143,658

434,862

(43,875)

231,940

4,476,108

573,559

Corporate and other services

(57,933)

(78,337)

(76,906)

(48,438)

(54,493)

(6,983)

Unallocated

(311,729)

(359,443)

(281,431)

(306,604)

(198,780)

(25,471)

Inter-segment elimination

(30,930)

(30,281)

(21,091)

(107,968)

(162,509)

(20,824)

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating profit

2,131,778

5,065,965

8,910,050

10,081,236

17,402,240

2,229,884

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 5 -

 


 

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 


 

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2006

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$(4)

 

(restated(1))

(restated(1))

(restated(1))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

BALANCE SHEET DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HK GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

2,342,254

2,596,440

6,223,763

7,597,727

12,802,775

1,640,519

Total current assets

8,557,975

8,638,566

14,356,588

16,962,670

25,727,910

3,296,717

Total non-current assets

23,691,565

26,768,304

35,201,481

42,047,209

52,276,406

6,698,582

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

32,249,540

35,406,870

49,558,069

59,009,879

78,004,316

9,995,299

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 6 -

 


 

Total short-term loans (including current portion of long-term loans)

5,103,274

4,617,130

4,522,568

3,732,978

5,112,858

655,150

Short-term bonds

-

-

-

1,970,840

4,985,111

638,781

Total long-term loans (excluding current portion of long-term loans)

4,949,298

5,412,628

7,391,663

9,690,493

8,480,736

1,086,703

Equity attributable to the shareholders

15,769,314

18,985,410

27,566,795

32,644,439

44,224,734

5,666,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

29,770,888

33,244,024

47,260,826

55,525,980

76,062,665

9,746,507

Total long-term loans (excluding current portion of long-term loans)

4,949,298

5,412,628

7,391,663

9,690,493

8,480,736

1,086,703

Shareholders' equity

13,170,960

16,634,499

25,436,606

30,720,995

42,283,083

5,418,059

Number of shares

10,495,863

10,499,900

11,040,835

11,049,876

11,649,876

11,649,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 


 

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2006

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 7 -

 


 

 

(restated(1))

(restated(1))

(restated(1))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Other Financial Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HK GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash generated from

 

 

 

 

 

 

operating activities

2,671,759

6,002,506

8,265,203

8,590,208

13,223,960

1,694,489

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

(3,780,812)

(5,395,259)

(9,055,830)

(8,821,208)

(10,244,226)

(1,312,672)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash generated from (used in)

 

 

 

 

 

 

financing activities

(868,513)

(306,892)

4,417,950

1,604,964

(774,686)

(99,267)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditure

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alumina

3,357,576

4,013,419

5,398,997

5,369,606

3,554,884

455,515

Primary aluminum

865,360

1,635,826

5,257,407

2,793,892

4,324,238

554,098

Corporate and other services

49,304

47,259

76,841

124,811

122,214

15,660

Unallocated

29,930

33,030

208,411

129,623

692,986

88,798

Total capital expenditure

4,302,170

5,729,534

10,941,656

8,417,932

8,694,322

1,114,071

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

----------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Restatement of the financial information for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004 has been made pursuant to the adoption of the new/revised standards and interpretation of HKFRS on January 1, 2005.

 

 

(2)

Total other revenues of RMB554 million, RMB460 million, RMB646 million and RMB716 million, and related cost of sales of RMB530 million, RMB467 million, RMB593 million and RMB720

 

 

- 8 -

 


 

 

million were previously classified as "other (income) and other (gains)/losses, net" for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. They were separately presented as part of the total revenue and cost of sales, respectively, in the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, and related prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year classification.

 

 

(3)

Marketing and advertising expenses were previously classified as "general and administrative expenses" for the year ended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Total marketing and advertising expense of RMB10 million, RMB19 million, RMB25 million and RMB34 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively, were reclassified to "selling and distribution expenses" to conform to the current year clarification.

 

 

(4)

Translated solely for the convenience of the reader into U.S. dollars at the noon buying rate prevailing on December 29, 2006 of US$1.00 to RMB7.8041.

 

 

(5)

Effective in October 2006, the Company's American Depository Shares (the "ADSs") ratio has been changed from 1 ADS representing 100 H Shares to 1 ADS representing 25 H Shares. Basic and diluted net earnings per ADS for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 have been restated.

 

 

Exchange Rate Information

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the noon buying rate in New York for cable transfers payable in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in Renminbi per U.S. dollar:

 

 

Noon Buying Rate

 


Period

Period End

Average(1)

High

Low






 

(expressed in RMB per US$)

 

 

2002

8.2800

8.2772

8.2800

8.2699

2003

8.2767

8.2771

8.2800

8.2765

2004

8.2765

8.2768

8.2773

8.2764

2005

8.0702

8.1826

8.2765

8.0702

2006

7.8041

7.9579

8.0702

7.8041

    December

7.8041

7.8219

7.8350

7.8041

2007

 

 

 

 

    January

7.7714

7.7876

7.8127

7.7705

    February

7.7410

7.7502

7.7632

7.7410

 

 

 

 

 

- 9 -

 


 

    March

7.7232

7.7369

7.7454

7.7232

    April

7.7090

7.7247

7.7345

7.7090

    May

7.6516

7.6773

7.7065

7.6463

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Determined by averaging the rates on the last business day of each month during the respective period, except for monthly averages, which are determined by averaging the rates on each business day of the month.

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

We are subject to various changing business, competitive, economic, political and social conditions in China as well as factors relating to the alumina and aluminum industry. These changing conditions and factors entail certain risks, which are described below:

 

*

We price our alumina and primary aluminum products by reference to international and domestic market prices, import cost of alumina, and changes in supply and demand in the domestic market. Each of these factors may fluctuate beyond our control. Historically, the international market prices for alumina and primary aluminum products have been volatile. Because most of our costs are fixed and we may not be able to respond quickly to any sudden decrease in alumina or primary aluminum prices, any significant fluctuation in international market prices could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating performance.

 

 

*

Our plans to upgrade and expand our alumina and primary aluminum plants and to improve and upgrade our internal control and management system will require capital expenditures of approximately RMB16,600 million in 2007. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Property, Plants and Equipment - Our Expansion and Profit Improvement Plan". We may also need further funding for debt servicing, working capital, investments, potential acquisitions and joint ventures and other corporate requirements. We cannot assure you that cash generated from our operations will be sufficient to fund these development plans, or that our actual capital expenditures and investments will not significantly exceed our current planned amounts. If either of these conditions arises, we may have to seek external financing to satisfy our capital needs. Our ability to obtain external financing at reasonable costs is subject to a variety of uncertainties. Failure to obtain sufficient external funds for our development plans could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating performance.

 

 

*

Our planned expansion, cost reduction and technical improvement projects could be delayed or adversely affected by, among other things, failures to receive regulatory approvals, difficulties in obtaining sufficient financing, technical difficulties, or human or other resource constraints. Moreover, the costs involved in these projects may exceed those originally contemplated. Costs savings and other economic benefits expected from these projects may not materialize as a result of any such project delays, cost overruns or changes in market circumstances. Failure to obtain intended economic benefits from these projects could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating performances.

 

 

*

Our business has grown rapidly. Our ability to manage growth and the increased scale of our operations effectively will require us to continue to implement and improve our operational, financial and management systems, continue to develop the management skills of our managers, and continue to train, motivate and manage our employees. Failure to manage our growth and expanded operations effectively could adversely affect our operating performance.

 

 

 

In addition, we are in the process of conducting feasibility studies to establish an overseas joint venture company with Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, or CVRD, to produce alumina in Brazil. We have also participated in the bidding for bauxite mining projects in Australia and have been

 

 

- 10 -

 


 

 

selected as the preferred developer. Further, we entered into the memorandum of understanding with the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Group, or "VINACOAL" regarding the proposed establishment of joint venture companies to engage in the development of local bauxite resources. We have made various preliminary preparations for the bauxite exploring project in Guinea. Due to the increase of energy prices in the global market and uncertainty of future market conditions, as well as our unfamiliarity with local laws and regulations, we could encounter unforeseen problems. We cannot assure you that our overseas expansion or investments will be successful or that we will not suffer foreign exchange losses in connection with our overseas investments.

 

 

*

We face competition from both domestic and international primary aluminum producers. Our principal competitors in the primary aluminum business are domestic smelters, some of which are expanding their production capacity. These smelters pose competitive challenges to our primary aluminum operations in production costs, product quality and price. We also face increasing competition from international primary aluminum suppliers as China continues to open up its aluminum industry to international trade. As a result of China's accession to the WTO on December 11, 2001, competition from international suppliers of alumina may increase as tariff and non-tariff barriers for imported alumina are significantly reduced. The standard tariff on imports of alumina into China has been reduced from 18% as of December 31, 2001 to its current level of 3% as of November 1, 2006. Intensified competition may result in reductions in our prices or sales volume and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating performance. If we are not successful in reducing our costs, or if we are unable to maintain or increase our current share of China's primary aluminum market, our financial condition and profitability could be materially and adversely affected.

 

 

*

We rely heavily on coal as our energy and fuel source required during our production process. As we significantly increase our production capacities, coal required for our production substantially increases accordingly. If our coal suppliers are not able to supply the amount of coal required for our production due to general short supply of coal or any other reason, we may be forced to reduce production output or suspend operation of our production in which case our financial condition and results of operation may be materially adversely affected.

 

 

*

Bauxite is the most important raw material for alumina production. We obtain our bauxite from three major sources, including our own mines, jointly operated mines, and other suppliers. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Business Operations - Alumina - Raw Materials - Bauxite". Each of these sourcing methods could affect the security or cost of supply. If we are unable to obtain a steady supply of key raw materials externally and internally at a competitive price, our operating performance may be adversely affected.

 

 

*

The smelting of primary aluminum employs an electrolytic reduction process that requires a large and continuous supply of electricity. Interruptions of electricity supply can result in lengthy production shutdowns, increased costs associated with restarting production and waste of production in progress. In extreme cases, interruptions of electricity supply can also cause damage to or destruction of the equipment and facilities. If this occurs, our operations may be adversely affected.

 

 

*

Electricity cost is the principal production cost component of our primary aluminum production. All of our smelters benefit from various policies that allow them to purchase electricity at reduced prices. However, despite such preferential treatment, our electricity prices are expected to continue to be higher than those of major international primary aluminum producers. Our electricity costs have increased due to severe shortage of electric power in recent years. In 2005, the electricity shortage led to an increase of average electricity price, whereas such situation was gradually relieved in 2006. If any other preferential treatment policies are cancelled by the PRC government or not renewed upon expiration, or if electricity prices or charges were to increase for any reason, the resulting increase in our unit production cost for primary aluminum would have an adverse effect on our operating margin, financial condition and operating performance if we are unable to increase the selling prices of our products correspondingly.

 

 

- 11 -

 


 

*

Our alumina products are mainly delivered by rail or truck, and our primary aluminum products are transported to our customers mostly by rail. If we are unable to make on-time delivery due to transportation problems, or if the costs of transportation continue to rise, our operating performance will be significantly affected.

 

 

*

A main objective of our research and development projects is to develop new methods and new processes to improve the efficiency of refining alumina from bauxite that has relatively low alumina-to-silica ratios. There is a potential decline in China's supply of bauxite with high alumina-to-silica ratios. Therefore, failure to achieve technological improvements or to implement such improvements in commercial applications could impede our efforts to reduce unit production costs and to compete with major international producers.

 

 

*

The bauxite reserve data on which we base our production, revenue and expenditure plans are estimates we have developed internally and may be inaccurate. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves, including many factors beyond our control. If these estimates are inaccurate or indicated tonnages are not recovered, our business, financial condition and operating performance could be materially and adversely affected.

 

 

*

We rely on short-term borrowings as part of our financing needs. If we fail to achieve timely rollover, extension or refinancing of our short-term debt, we may be unable to meet our obligations in connection with debt service, accounts payable and/or other liabilities when they become due and payable. In addition, we may be exposed to changes in interest rates. If interest rates increase substantially, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

 

*

Our primary sources of funding are cash generated by operating activities , short-term and long-term bank borrowings, proceeds from shares offerings and proceeds from short-term bond offerings. In 2006, we required our customers to make prepayments or deposits for purchases of alumina. The total amount of prepayments and deposits was approximately RMB425.7 million as of December 31, 2006. We have relied on prepayments and deposits received from customers as a source of our liquidity. In the event that demand for alumina declines, we may not be able to require such prepayments and deposits from customers, in which case this source of liquidity would not be available to us.

 

 

*

Chinalco, a state-owned enterprise, as of December 31, 2006 owned 39.59% of our issued share capital and is our largest shareholder. Upon the A Share issuance on April 30, 2007, China Orient transferred all of its equity interest in us, being 4.67% or 602,246,135 shares, to Chinalco, and thus Chinalco owned 40.46% of our issued share capital. The interests of Chinalco may conflict or even compete with our interests and the interests of our public shareholder. Chinalco may take actions that favor the interests of its subsidiaries, associates and other related entities over our interests and the interests of our public shareholders. In addition, Chinalco and some of its subsidiaries and associates provide a range of services to us, including engineering and construction services, social services, land and property leasing and supply of raw and supplemental material. Some of the services Chinalco provides to us, such as educational and medical care services for our employees, would be difficult to obtain from other sources. Our cost of operations could increase if Chinalco were unable to perform its agreement to provide such services to us.

 

 

*

Chinalco has substantial financial obligations relating to the businesses, operations and personnel that it retained in the reorganization. While Chinalco generates significant operating revenue and receives government support, it may also rely on dividends received from us as a means of funding these obligations. Subject to the relevant provisions of the PRC Company Law and our articles of association, Chinalco may seek to influence the amount of dividends we pay out in order to satisfy its cash flow requirements. Any resulting increase in our dividend payout would reduce funds available for reinvestment in our businesses.

 

 

*

Our alumina and primary aluminum production operations are subject to environmental protection laws and regulations in China, which impose such penalties as waste discharge fees, fines or closure of non-compliant plants. Each of our alumina and primary aluminum production plants has

 

 

- 12 -

 


 

 

implemented a system to control its emissions and to oversee compliance with PRC environmental regulations. However, the PRC government has taken steps, and may take additional steps, towards more rigorous enforcement of applicable laws, and/or adoption of more stringent environmental standards. If the PRC national or local authorities enact additional regulations or enforce existing or new regulations in a more rigorous manner, we may be required to make additional environmental expenditures, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition.

 

 

*

We may experience major accidents in the course of our operations, which may cause significant property damage and personal injuries. Significant industry-related accidents and natural disasters may cause interruptions to various parts of our operations, or could result in property or environmental damage, increase in operating expenses or loss of revenue. The occurrence of such accidents and the resulting consequences may not be covered adequately, or at all, by the insurance policies we carry. In accordance with customary practice in China, we do not carry any business interruption insurance or third party liability insurance for personal injury or environmental damage arising from accidents on our property or relating to our operations other than our automobiles. Losses or payments incurred may have a material adverse effect on our operating performance if such losses or payments are not fully insured.

 

 

*

We are also subject to a number of risks relating to the PRC, including the following:

 

 

 

*

The central and local PRC governments continue to exercise a substantial degree of control and influence over the aluminum industry in China and shape the structure and characteristics of the industry by means of policies in respect of major project approvals, preferential treatments such as tax incentives, electricity pricing, and safety, environmental and quality control. If the PRC government changes its current policies or the interpretation of those policies that are currently beneficial to us, we may, to some extent, face pressure on profit margins and significant constraints on our ability to expand our business operations or to maximize our profitability.

 

 

 

 

*

Under current PRC regulatory requirements, the construction of new alumina refineries, the expansions of primary aluminum plants and mining projects in excess of RMB500 million require PRC government approval. If any of our important projects required for our growth or cost reduction are not approved, or not approved on a timely basis, our financial condition and operating performances could be adversely affected.

 

 

 

 

*

Substantially all of our business, assets and operations are located in China. The economy of China differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects. The economy of China has been transitioning from a planned economy to a market-oriented economy. Although in recent years the PRC government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the PRC government. In addition, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry by imposing industrial policies. It also exercises significant control over China's economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Some of these measures benefit the overall economy of China, but may have a negative effect on us.

 

 

 

 

*

Since 1994, the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including Hong Kong and U.S. dollars, has been based on rates set by the People's Bank of China, or PBOC, which are set daily based on the previous day's PRC interbank foreign exchange market rate and current exchange rates on the world financial markets. On July 21, 2005, PBOC announced a reform of its exchange rate system and revalued the Renminbi. Under the reform, Renminbi is allowed to trade against a basket of foreign currencies. Any further appreciation of Renminbi in the future will increase the cost of our export sales, reduce the Renminbi equivalent value

 

 

 

- 13 -

 


 

 

 

of our account receivables denominated in foreign currencies and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. On the other hand, any devaluation of Renminbi may adversely affect the value of, and dividends payable on, our H Shares and ADSs in foreign currencies since we receive our revenue and denominate our profits in Renminbi. Our financial condition and operating performance may also be affected by changes in the value of certain currencies other than Renminbi in which our earnings and obligations are denominated. In particular, a devaluation of the Renminbi could increase the portion of our cash flow required to satisfy our foreign currency-denominated obligations.

 

 

 

 

*

Since 1979, many new laws and regulations covering general economic matters have been promulgated in China. Despite this activity to develop the legal system, China's system of laws is not yet complete. Even where adequate law exists in China, enforcement of existing laws or contracts based on existing law may be uncertain and sporadic, and it may be difficult to obtain swift and equitable enforcement or to obtain enforcement of a judgment by a court of another jurisdiction. The relative inexperience of China's judiciary in many cases creates additional uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. In addition, interpretation of statutes and regulations may be subject to government policies reflecting domestic political changes.

 

 

 

See also "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview", "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects", "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions - Related Party Transactions", "Item 8. Financial Information" and "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks".

 

ITEM 4.

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

 

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

Overview

 

We were incorporated as a joint stock limited company under PRC laws on September 10, 2001. Our scope of business includes bauxite mining, the production of alumina, primary aluminum and ancillary products, and provision of engineering and construction services. Pursuant to a reorganization agreement effective as of July 1, 2001 among Chinalco, Guangxi Investment, Guizhou Development and us, as well as a mining rights agreement between Chinalco and us, substantially all of Chinalco's alumina and primary aluminum production operations, operations of the Research Institute, as well as mining operations and mining rights of bauxite mines and other related assets and liabilities were transferred to us upon our formation.

 

We are currently the largest producer of alumina and primary aluminum in terms of production and sales volume in China, one of the fastest growing major aluminum markets in the world. Alumina and primary aluminum are our principal products. Alumina is refined from bauxite through a chemical process and is the key raw material for producing primary aluminum, which in turn is a widely used metal and the key raw material for aluminum fabrication. In addition to alumina and primary aluminum, we also produce and sell a comparatively small amount of alumina chemical products, including alumina hydrate and alumina-based industrial chemical products, carbon products, including principally carbon anodes and cathodes, and gallium.

 

We produced approximately 8,830,000 tonnes of alumina, representing a year-on-year increase of 23%, and approximately 1,100,000 tonnes of alumina chemical products in 2006, representing a year-on-year increase of 17%. Our total alumina products represent approximately 50.1% of all alumina products consumed in China during that year, making us the second largest producer of alumina in the world. The intra-company utilization ratio of alumina was increased to approximately 40% for 2006 from approximately 26% for 2005.

 

- 14 -

 


 

Our alumina production has increased rapidly in the past few years. >From 2002 to 2006, our annual alumina production grew from 5,410,000 tonnes to 9,520,000 tonnes.

 

Our primary aluminum production of 1,930,000 tonnes in 2006 accounted for approximately 22.3% of China's domestic primary aluminum production for 2006. From 2002 to 2006, our annual primary aluminum production grew from 750,000 tonnes to 1,930,000 tonnes.

 

Our key operating assets include one bauxite branch, four integrated alumina and primary aluminum production plants, another two alumina refineries and nine primary aluminum smelters, including Jiaozuo Wanfang, which is our 29% owned associated company, in addition to the integrated production plants and one research institute, which also produces a small amount of products on a pilot run basis. Most of our refineries are located in reasonable proximity to abundant bauxite reserves and, as of December 31, 2006, had annual production capacities ranging from 800,000 to 2,217,000 tonnes. Our primary aluminum smelters had annual production capacities ranging from 56,000 to 403,700 tonnes as of December 31, 2006. According to the China Non-ferrous Metals Industry Association, our smelters in Qinghai and Guizhou are the third largest and the fifth largest smelters in China, respectively, in terms of production capacity. Since December 31, 2004, all of our production facilities have been granted ISO9001:2000, OHSAS 18001:1999 and GB/T 28001-2001 accreditations.

 

Our recent domestic development

 

We entered into a number of acquisition and joint venture agreements with partners in China and overseas to further increase our alumina and primary aluminum production capacities. On December 6, 2005, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Shanxi Guanlv Co., Ltd. to establish a joint venture company, Shanxi Huasheng Aluminum Company Ltd. The joint venture company started operation in March 2006, with a designed annual production capacity of primary aluminum of approximately 220,000 tonnes. The joint venture company has a registered capital of RMB1,000 million, and we hold a 51% equity interest in it.

 

On February 17, 2006, our Qingdao Branch was established under the PRC law in Qingdao, with secondary aluminum alloy as its major product. Our Qingdao Branch is designing an aluminum alloy production line with an annual capacity of 120,000 tonnes. The project is expected to be completed at the end of 2007 and investment in the project is expected to be RMB850 million.

 

In March 2006, we entered into a share transfer agreement with Liaoning Fushun Aluminum Plant to acquire the 100% equity interest held by it in Liaoning Fushun Aluminum Co., Ltd., or Fushun Aluminum, with an designed annual production capacity of 140,000 tonnes for a consideration of RMB500 million. Fushun Aluminum's primary business is the production of primary aluminum and carbon products.

 

In April, 2006, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. to establish a joint venture company, Chalco Zunyi Alumina Co., Ltd. We hold a 67% equity interest in the joint venture company. The joint venture company is expected to have a designed annual production capacity of alumina of approximately 800,000 tonnes and is expected to commence operation in June 2009. The joint venture company is expected to have a total investment of RMB4,250.0 million and a registered capital of RMB1,400.0 million.

 

On May 19, 2006, we entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Jiaozuo Wanfang Group to acquire 29% of the issued share capital, or 139,251,064 State-owned legal person shares held by Jiaozuo Wanfang Group in the issued share capital of Jiaozuo Wanfang. Jiaozuo Wanfang has a designed annual production capacity of 272,000 tonnes of primary aluminum. Jiaozuo Wanfang is a joint stock limited company established in the PRC, the shares of which are listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange of the PRC. The total consideration paid by us for the acquisition of Jiaozuo Wanfang is RMB247.0 million. We are the largest shareholder of Jiaozuo Wanfang.

 

In June 2006, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. and other eight companies who were the shareholders of Zunyi Aluminum to purchase part of the equity interest from Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. and all the equity interest from the other eight companies. We have completed our purchase and hold 61.3% of the equity interest of Zunyi Aluminum. Zunyi Aluminum has a designed annual production capacity of aluminum of 110,000 tonnes.

 

- 15 -

 


 

In July 2006, we entered into a share transfer agreement with Shandong Huasheng Jiangquan Group to acquire a 55% equity interest in Shandong Huayu, a subsidiary of Shandong Huasheng Jiangquan Group. Shandong Huayu has a designed annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of primary aluminum, and also has other supporting facilities and two 135MW coal-fired generators.

 

On July 7, 2006, our Chongqing Branch was established under the PRC law in Chongqing, mainly to produce alumina products. Chongqing Branch is constructing an alumina project with annual capacity of 800,000 tonnes, which is expected to be completed in June 2009. The total investment amounts to RMB4,700 million.

 

In August 2006, we entered into a share transfer agreement with Baiyin Nonferrous Metal (Group) Co., Ltd., or Baiyin Nonferrous, and Baiyin Ibis Aluminum Co., Ltd., or Baiyin Ibis. Baiyin Nonferrous contributed 127,000 tonnes of primary aluminum smelting and supporting facilities owned by Baiyin Ibis as capital contribution and held a 49% equity interest in Gansu Hualu, a subsidiary of Baiyin Ibis, and we held 51% equity interest in Gansu Hualu. The joint venture company will have a designed annual production capacity of 127,000 tonnes of primary aluminum.

 

In addition, on May 29, 2006, we entered into a letter of intent with Guangyuan city government and Sichuan Guangyuan Venus Aluminum Co., Ltd. ("Guangyuan Venus Aluminum") to promote the joint operation of aluminum and electricity. We will hold 26% in the equity interest of Guangyuan Venus Aluminum, which has a designed annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes of primary aluminum. Negotiation on the terms of the agreements is proceeding.

 

The following sets forth those of our plants acquired in 2006 that are either currently in operation or under construction:

 

Plants in operation

Major products

 

 

Shanxi Huasheng

Primary aluminum products

Fushun Aluminum

Primary aluminum products

Zunyi Aluminum

Primary aluminum products

Shandong Huayu

Primary aluminum products

Gansu Hualu

Primary aluminum products

Jiaozuo Wanfang

Primary aluminum products

 

 

Plants under construction

Major products

Chalco Zunyi Alumina

Alumina products

Qingdao Secondary Aluminum Alloy Branch

Aluminum alloy products

Chongqing Branch

Alumina products

 

 

Our recent overseas development

 

To secure our bauxite supply, we continued to participate in overseas development projects in 2006. We entered into a non-binding Framework Agreement with CVRD on May 24, 2005. Since then, we have been discussing and negotiating the contents of the feasibility study and the product market of the joint venture with CVRD. See "-Business Overview - Production Facilities - Alumina". We submitted a letter of intent to bid for the development of bauxite resources in Aurukun, Australia to the Queensland government in October 2005. We further submitted a non-binding preliminary development proposal to the Queensland government in January 2006. On September 15, 2006, we were selected as the preferred developer of the Aurukun project. On March 23, 2007, we signed the Aurukun project development agreement with the Queensland Government. We expect to enter into an agreement with the indigenous communities within the second quarter of 2007, and then to obtain the mining rights development license for the Aurukun bauxite project. From then on, the feasibility study is expected to commence. See "-Business Overview - Raw Materials - Alumina".

 

- 16 -

 


 

Since 2006, we have made various preliminary preparations for a bauxite exploration project in Guinea, including field investigations by a team of experts, preparation of the authorized and registered area for bauxite exploration, design proposals for the overall exploration planning arrangement, and formally submissions of the exploration plan to the Ministry of Mines of Guinea. Currently, the exploration has commenced.

 

In addition, we participated in a mining project under cooperation between the PRC and Vietnam governments to exploit bauxite resources in Dak Nong province in Vietnam. In December 2005, we entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with VINACOAL regarding the proposed establishment of joint venture companies to explore bauxite resources in Dak Nong province in Vietnam. In 2006, through close cooperation with Vietnam National Coal Corporation, we made a number of preliminary preparations relating to the project, which included completing the plant site investigation and ore washing tests, as well as finalizing the amendments to the preliminary feasibility study, which has been submitted to the Vietnam government. On November 16, 2006, the parties entered into a cooperation agreement regarding the Dak Nong Project. Currently, we are waiting for the Vietnam government's approval on the feasibility study report of the project. See "-Business Overview - Production Facilities - Alumina".

 

Our capital expenditures in 2004, 2005 and 2006 were RMB10,941.6 million, RMB8,417.9 million and RMB8,694.3 million, respectively. We currently expect our capital expenditures to be approximately RMB16,600 million in 2007. For details of our capital expenditures and our future plan, please see "-Our Expansion and Profit Improvement Plan" and "Item 5 -Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Capital Expenditures".

 

Our principal executive office is currently located at No. 62 North Xizhimen Street, Hai Dian District, Beijing, 100082, People's Republic of China. Our contact telephone number is (86)10 8229 8103. Our website is www.chalco.com.cn. Information on our website does not constitute part of this annual report.

 

Strategic Investor

 

We and Alcoa agreed in 2001 to develop a long-term strategic relationship. The key components of this relationship involve an investment in our company and the formation of a joint venture company, Guangxi Pingguo JV, to own and operate our Pingguo facilities. To establish this strategic relationship, we and Alcoa entered into:

 

*

a strategic investor subscription agreement, dated November 5, 2001, or Subscription Agreement, pursuant to which Alcoa agreed to purchase our shares in our initial global share offering in December 2001 at the initial public offering price of an amount of shares that would constitute 8.0% of our outstanding share capital immediately following the global offering; and

 

 

*

a memorandum of understanding, or the MOU, dated November 12, 2001, which sets forth the basis on which we propose to form the Guangxi Pingguo JV to own and operate the alumina and primary aluminum production facilities at our Guangxi plant.

 

 

The primary aspects of our strategic relationship with Alcoa are described below.

 

Investment in Our Company

 

Holding 6.86% of our issued share capital, Alcoa maintains a strategic stake in our shares and is entitled to appoint one director to our board of directors, to participate in any future projects we may contemplate undertaking with a foreign partner in bauxite mining, alumina refining or primary aluminum smelting in China, and to establish a second equity joint venture with us so long as we and Alcoa agree that the initial joint venture company at the Guangxi plant represents a successful beginning to our strategic relationship.

 

In addition, Alcoa has given us the right of first refusal to participate in any future projects Alcoa may contemplate undertaking with a domestic partner in the PRC in bauxite mining, alumina refining or primary aluminum smelting.

 

Joint Venture at Our Guangxi Plant

 

- 17 -

 


 

The MOU sets forth the basis on which we and Alcoa intend to form a limited liability equity joint venture company as equal 50% shareholders of our Guangxi plant for the purpose of mining bauxite, refining alumina and smelting aluminum. The term of the Guangxi Pingguo JV is proposed to be 50 years.

 

In April 2004, we received a notification from the NDRC regarding their approval on March 29, 2004 of the establishment of the Guangxi Pingguo JV. For further information, see "Item 4. Information of the Company - Our Facilities - Guangxi Plant".

 

According to the MOU, the board of directors of the Guangxi Pingguo JV will consist of six directors, of which we will appoint three and Alcoa will appoint the other three. The chairman of the board of directors is to be elected from among the directors that we appoint. The vice-chairman is to be elected from among the directors appointed by Alcoa. The day-to-day management of the Guangxi Pingguo JV will be the responsibility of a general manager nominated by Alcoa and appointed by the board of directors of the Guangxi Pingguo JV.

 

Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, as amended, if the final joint venture agreement for the Guangxi Pingguo JV is not executed within eight months from the closing of our global offering or if all necessary relevant PRC government approvals for the Guangxi Pingguo JV are not obtained within twelve months from the closing of our global offering due to the failure of a party to abide by the terms of the MOU, the defaulting party would be obliged to pay US$7.5 million (equivalent to RMB62.1 million) to the other party as compensation and the restrictions on Alcoa's ability to sell our shares will terminate. We continue to work closely and actively with Alcoa to seek the opportunity of establishing a joint venture. As of December 31, 2006, we have not made any claim against Alcoa nor has Alcoa made any claim against us for compensation under the Subscription Agreement, as amended.

 

Our Initial Public Offering

 

In December 2001, we completed our global initial public offering in which 2,749,889,968 H Shares were listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code 02600) and 409,646,400 H Shares in the form of ADSs were sold in the United States and listed on the NYSE under the symbol "ACH".

 

Our H Shares Placement in 2004

 

On January 6, 2004, we placed 549,976,000 additional H Shares, each with a par value of RMB1.00, to certain independent professional and institutional investors who are non-U.S. persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 at a price of HK$5.658 per H share. The net proceeds amounted to RMB3,251.0 million. As of December 31, 2006, RMB3,118 million from our H Share placement was used for capital expenditures.

 

Our Recent H Shares Placement

 

We placed 644,100,000 H Shares in the share capital of our Company at a price of HK$7.25 per H Share on May 9, 2006. The net proceeds from the placement of the 600,000,000 new H Shares of our Company were HK$4,248 million (equivalent to RMB4,391 million). We will use the net proceeds arising from the Placement for possible acquisitions of domestic primary aluminum projects and for general working capital purposes.

 

The Placing shares were listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on May 19, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, RMB1,104.0 million of our net proceeds from our H Share placement was used for capital expenditures.

 

The A Shares Offering

 

As approved by the shareholders at a Special General Meeting held on February 27, 2007, we issued no more than 1,500,000,000 domestically listed Renminbi-denominated ordinary shares by way of share exchange with all the shareholders of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum other than us, including the third party or parties (if any) who provide cash alternatives to the shareholders of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum. Because the proceeds from our A Share issuance was used to acquire Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum, we did not raise any fund by the issuance.

 

- 18 -

 


 

The dealings of the A Shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange commenced on April 30, 2007. We initially offered 1,236,731,739 A Shares at the price of RMB 6.60 for each share. Our total share capital increased to 12,886,607,892 shares, comprising 7,794,564,567 restricted A Shares, 1,148,077,357 unrestricted A Shares and 3,943,965,968 H Shares. Chinalco's equity interest in us decreased from 39.59% to 35.79% as a result of the A Share issuance. At the same time, China Orient transferred all of its equity interest in us to Chinalco, and ceased to be our shareholder. Chinalco's equity interest in us increased to 40.46% as a result of the transfer.

 

Our Short-term Bonds Offering

 

In May and December 2006, we issued domestic short-term bonds in the total principal amount of RMB3 billion and RMB2 billion, respectively, at a par value of RMB100 each for net proceeds of approximately RMB2,988 million and approximately RMB1,925 million, respectively. These bonds bear interest at the rates of 3.13% and 3.44%, respectively, and have a maturity period of one year.

 

In March 2007, we obtained Board approval to issue short-term bonds in the principal amount of not more than RMB5 billion and with a maturity period of one year, which was then approved by our shareholders at the annual general meeting held on May 18, 2007. On June 15, 2007, we issued domestic short-term bonds in the total principal amount of RMB3 billion at coupon interest rate of 3.55%. The net proceeds of the short-term bonds issuance will be principally used as our working capital.

 

Our Long-term Bonds Offering

 

A resolution relating to the issue of long-term corporate bonds by us in a principal amount not exceeding RMB5 billion was approved at our Special General Meeting held on February 27, 2007. On March 19, 2007, we received the requisite approvals and on June 13, 2007, we issued long-term corporate bonds in the principal amount of RMB2 billion. The bonds have a ten-year fixed rate with an annual rate of 4.50%. The proceeds raised from the bonds issuance will be used mainly for renovation or expansion projects of alumina and aluminum.

 

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

Our Principal Products

 

We manage our operations according to our two principal business segments. Our alumina segment includes the production and sale of our alumina-related products, namely, alumina and alumina chemical products, including alumina hydrate, alumina-based industrial chemical products and gallium. Our primary aluminum segment includes the production and sale of our primary aluminum-related products, namely, primary aluminum (including both ingots and other primary aluminum products) and carbon products. External sales of our alumina and primary aluminum segments accounted for approximately 44.3% and 54.5%, respectively, of our total revenue in 2006. Alumina is refined from bauxite through a chemical process and is the key raw material for producing primary aluminum, which in turn is a key raw material for aluminum fabrication.

 

Our alumina segment products consist primarily of alumina, which accounted for approximately 92.75% of our total alumina segment output based on total production volume in 2006. Other alumina segment products consist primarily of alumina chemical products, including alumina hydrate, alumina-based industrial chemical products and gallium. Alumina chemical products are used in the production of chemical, pharmaceutical, ceramic and construction materials. In the process of refining bauxite into alumina, we also produce small amounts of gallium, which is a related product and a high-value rare metal with special uses in the electronics and telecommunications industries.

 

Our most important primary aluminum product is ingots, which accounted for approximately 89.12% of our total primary aluminum output in 2006. Our standard ingots are 20-kilogram remelt ingots used for general aluminum fabrication primarily for the auto, construction, power and consumer goods industries. Other than ingots, we also produce a small amount of high value-added and high-margin primary aluminum, such as electrical aluminum and aluminum alloys used for special industrial applications. In 2006, we continued to adjust our product mix to increase the production of high value-added primary aluminum, such as increasing

 

- 19 -

 


 

the production of aluminum alloys by approximately 89.0% compared to 2005, to realize the higher margin of such products. Our primary aluminum plants produce carbon products (principally carbon anodes and cathodes) used in smelting operations.

 

The carbon we produce supplies substantially all of the carbon products required for our smelters. We also sell some of our carbon products to external smelters.

 

Since 2003, we have started to recycle scrap materials for our primary aluminum production. In 2006, our Shandong Plant used recycled materials to produce approximately 47,000 tonnes primary aluminum products. At present, only our Shandong Plant has the capability to produce primary aluminum products from recycled materials.

 

Our Production Capacity

 

The following table sets forth the production capacity of alumina and primary aluminum for each of our plants as of December 31, 2006:

 

 

Production Capacity

 

as of December 31, 2006

 


Plant

Alumina

Primary Aluminum

 



 

(in thousand tonnes) (1)

 

 

Guangxi plant

850.0

139.5

Zhongzhou plant

1,570.0

-

Qinghai plant

-

367.0

Shanxi plant

2,217.0

-

Guizhou plant

800.0

403.7

Henan plant

2,050.0

56.0

Shandong plant

1,500.0

75.0

Shanxi Huaze

-

280.0

Lanzhou Aluminum(2)

-

160.0

Shanxi Huasheng

-

220.0

Fushun Aluminum

-

140.0

Jiaozuo Wanfang(3)

-

272.0

Zunyi Aluminum

-

110.0

Shandong Huayu

-

100.0

 

 

 

- 20 -

 


 

Gansu Hualu

-

140.0

Research Institute

20.0

18.0

 



 

 

 

Total

9,007.0

2,481.2

 



 

 

 

(1)

Our production capacity takes into account designed capacity and subsequent modifications. Designed capacity is based on various assumptions including down time for ordinary maintenance and repairs and assumptions as to ore grade of bauxite used.

 

 

(2)

As of December 31, 2006, Lanzhou Aluminum was our associated company owned as to 28% of its equity interest and its results of operations were not consolidated into our financial statements. Production capacity presented above represents 100% of Lanzhou Aluminum's smelting capacity. See Notes 11(b) and 19(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements. After the A Shares issuance on April 30, 2007, Lanzhou Aluminum became our wholly-owned subsidiary.

 

 

(3)

Jiaozuo Wanfang is our associated company owned as to 29% of its equity interest. Its results of operations are not consolidated into our financial statements. Production capacity presented above represents 100% of Jiaozuo Wanfang's smelting capacity. See Note 11(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information relating to our production volumes of the alumina segment and primary aluminum segment products:

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 


Production Volume by Product

2004

2005

2006

 




 

(in thousand tonnes, except Gallium)

 

 

Alumina segment

 

 

 

Alumina

6,351.0

7,181.0

8,830.0

Alumina chemical products

469.0

937.0

1,100.0

Gallium (in tonnes)

23.0

22.2

25.5

Primary aluminum segment

 

 

 

Primary aluminum (1)(2)(3)

770.0

1,051.6

1,930.0

Carbon

623.0

672.0

1,060.0

 

 

 

 

- 21 -

 


 

-----------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Including ingots and other primary aluminum products.

 

 

(2)

As of December 31, 2006, Lanzhou Aluminum was our associated company owned as to 28% of its equity interest whose results of operations were not consolidated into our financial statements. Production volumes for 2006 presented above included 172,000 tonnes which represent 100% of Lanzhou Aluminum's production volumes. See Notes 11(b) and 19(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

(3)

Jiaozuo Wanfang is our associated company owned as to 29% of its equity interest. Its results of operations are not consolidated into our financial statements. Production volumes for 2006 presented above include the 148,000 tonnes that represent 100% of Jiaozuo Wanfang's production volumes. See Note 11(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Production Process

 

Alumina

 

Alumina is produced from bauxite, an aluminum-bearing ore, by a chemical refining process. The production process to be used for producing alumina is determined by the mineral composition of the bauxite used. The production process generally includes the sintering process, the Bayer process, the hybrid Bayer-sintering process or the ore-dressing Bayer process. Most of the bauxite found in China is diasporite bauxite of a particular mineralogy, with high alumina content but relatively higher silica content, resulting in low alumina-to-silica ratios. The Bayer process cannot efficiently refine such bauxite unless the alumina-to-silica ratio of the bauxite is raised sufficiently prior to refining. Refining low alumina-to-silica ratio bauxite generally requires the use of either the sintering process or the hybrid Bayer-sintering process that we have developed and improved to enable the efficient processing of diasporite bauxite generally found in China.

 

Primary Aluminum

 

Alumina is converted into primary aluminum through a smelting process using electrolytic reduction. This electrolytic process takes place in a reduction cell, or "pot", a steel shell lined with carbon cathodes and refractory materials. Powerful electric currents are passed through the pot to produce molten aluminum. The molten aluminum is transferred to holding furnaces and then poured directly into moulds to produce foundry ingots or further refined to form fabricating ingots. Most of the primary aluminum we produce is in the form of ingots.

 

The two methods commonly used to produce primary aluminum are the "pre-bake" reduction process and the "soderberg" reduction process. Most modern aluminum production facilities adopt the pre-bake reduction. As of December 31, 2006, all of our primary aluminum capacity used pre-bake anode reduction pot-lines. In the pre-bake reduction process, the anodes are pre-formed in a separate facility where the pollutants can be contained. The cells themselves are enclosed with removable panels, so that the waste gases produced can be extracted using large exhaust fans. These gases are then treated and purified to reduce emissions of dust and fluoride to acceptable levels.

 

Production Facilities

 

Alumina

 

We operate six main alumina production facilities. Four of these six refinery plants are integrated with primary aluminum smelting operations. Our total designed annual production capacity for alumina products was approximately 9,007,000 tonnes as of December 31, 2006. In 2006, our actual production of alumina products was approximately 8,830,000 tonnes of alumina and approximately 1,100,000 tonnes of alumina chemical products. In 2006, we supplied approximately 3,570,000 tonnes to our own smelters, and sold the

 

- 22 -

 


 

rest to other domestic smelters. All of our alumina chemical products in the alumina segment we produced in 2006 were sold externally, either domestically or exported for chemical, pharmaceutical and other uses.

 

The following table sets forth the designed annual production capacity, alumina production output, alumina chemical products production output and the utilization rate of each of our alumina refineries and our Research Institute as of December 31, 2006.

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

Alumina

 

 

 

Designed

 

Chemical

 

 

 

Annual

Alumina

Products

 

 

 

Production

Production

Production

Utilization

 Production

 

Capacity (1)

Output

Output

Rate (2) (%)

Process

 

(in thousand tonnes, except percentages)

 


 

Shanxi plant

2,217.0

2,173.6

18.4

99.0

Hybrid Bayer-sintering

Henan plant(3)

2,050.0

2,163.8

208.5

113.5

Hybrid Bayer-sintering

Shandong plant

1,500.0

927.1

635.0

85.6

Sintering

Guizhou plant(3)

800.0

1,016.1

12.2

128.0

Hybrid Bayer-sintering

Zhongzhou plant(3)

1,570.0

1,624.5

154.6

110.0

Sintering and Bayer

Guangxi plant(3)

850.0

919.9

35.6

110.9

Bayer

Research Institute(4)

20.0

-

34.3

113.0

Bayer

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

9,007.0

8,825.0

1,098.6

105.7

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Our production capacity takes into account designed capacity and subsequent modifications. Capacity is based on various assumptions, including down time for ordinary maintenance and repairs and assumptions as to ore grade of bauxite used.

 

 

(2)

The capacity utilization rate is derived from the summation of (i) the production output of alumina chemical products multiplied by a quotient based on alumina content in these alumina chemical products and (ii) the production output of alumina divided by production capacity of a particular plant. Rates greater than 100% reflect the higher productivity obtained through the use of higher-grade bauxite than originally contemplated in capacity calculations.

 

 

(3)

Due to the technology upgrading of each refinery, our production capacity now exceeds our designed production capacity.

 

 

(4)

The alumina chemical products production facilities of our Research Institute are test facilities for research and development purposes. These products are sold commercially, and such sales are included in our total revenue.

 

 

Overseas investment

 

To secure future bauxite and alumina supply, we have participated in several overseas projects in Brazil, Australia Guinea and Vietnam. On May 24, 2004, we entered into a non-binding Framework Agreement

 

- 23 -

 


 

with CVRD, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil, for the establishment of a joint venture company, ABC Refinery, producing alumina in Brazil. We further entered into the first and second Amendment to the Framework Agreement in November 2004 and January 2005, respectively, to set forth the details and schedule of ABC Project.

 

It is intended that ABC Refinery will be owned by the joint venture company and shall be established as a first class alumina refinery with high competitiveness globally. The intended alumina capacity of the initial phase of ABC Refinery will be 1,800,000 tonnes per year, and may reach a final capacity of 7,200,000 tonnes per year through phased expansions. The proposed development of the ABC Refinery will involve a series of related transactions involving mining, transportation, shipping and port developments. Since 2006, we have been discussing and negotiating the contents of the feasibility study and the product market of the joint venture with CVRD.

 

We participated in a mining project under cooperation by the PRC and Vietnam governments to exploit bauxite resources in Dak Nong province in Vietnam. In December 2005, we entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with VINACOAL regarding the proposed establishment of joint venture companies to explore the bauxite resources in Dak Nong province in Vietnam. In 2006, through close cooperation with Vietnam National Coal Corporation, we made a number of preliminary preparations relating to the project, which included completing the plant site investigation and ore washing testings, as well as finalizing the amendments to the preliminary feasibility study, which has been submitted. In November 2006, the parties entered into a cooperation agreement regarding the Dak Nong Project. The alumina production capacity in the initial phase of such project is expected to be 1,900,000 tonnes per annum. Currently, we are waiting for the Vietnam government's approval on the feasibility study report of the project.

 

We submitted a letter of intent to bid for the development of bauxite resources in Aurukun, Australia to the Queensland government in October 2005. We further submitted a non-binding preliminary development proposal to the Queensland government in January 2006. On September 15, 2006, we were selected as the preferred developer of the Aurukun project. We are the first PRC enterprise ever to obtain large-scale bauxite resources in a western developed country by virtue of its own comprehensive capabilities in technologies, management and investment. On March 23, 2007, we signed the Aurukun project development agreement with the Queensland Government. The alumina production capacity of such project is 2,100,000 tonnes per annum. We expect to enter into an agreement with the indigenous communities within the second quarter of 2007, and then to obtain the mining rights development license for Aurukun bauxite project. From then on, the feasibility study is expected to commence.

 

Since 2006, we have made various preliminary preparations for the bauxite exploring project in Guinea, including field investigation by expert team, preparing the bauxite registered area exploration, design proposal for proposing the overall planning exploration arrangement, and formally submitting the exploration plan to the Ministry of Mines of Guinea. Currently, related work has been commenced.

 

Primary Aluminum

 

We operate thirteen major primary aluminum production facilities located in eight provinces in China. Four of these thirteen smelter plants are integrated with alumina refining operations and are self-sufficient with respect to alumina supply. In addition, our Research Institute also operates a test plant that produces primary aluminum in connection with its research and development.

 

Six of the thirteen primary aluminum production facilities, namely Shanxi Huasheng, Fushun, Shandong Huayu, Zunyi, Gansu Hualu and Jiaozuo Wanfang, were acquired by us in 2006. These six smelters have a designed annual production capacity of approximately 220,000 tonnes, 140,000 tonnes, 100,000 tonnes, 110,000 tonnes, 127,000 tonnes and 272,000 tonnes, respectively, and the total production capacity is 969,000 tonnes.

 

The total production capacity for primary aluminum production of all thirteen of our smelters, including four integrated alumina and primary aluminum production plants, Lanzhou Aluminum and Jiaozuo Wanfang, and our Research Institute in 2006 was 2,481,200 tonnes. In 2006, we, including Lanzhou Aluminum and

 

- 24 -

 


 

Jiaozuo Wanfang, produced approximately 1,930,000 tonnes of primary aluminum. Lanzhou Aluminum and Jiaozuo Wanfang, however, as of December 31, 2006, were our associated companies owned respectively as to 28% and 29% of their equity interest. The results of operations of Lanzhou Aluminum and Jiaozuo Wanfang are not consolidated into our audited financial statements. See Note 11(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

The following table sets forth the designed annual production capacity, output of aluminum products, the utilization rate and the smelting equipment used in each of our aluminum smelters and our Research Institute as of December 31, 2006:

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

Production

Aluminum

Utilization

 

Plant

Capacity(1)

Output

Rate (2) (%)

Smelting Equipment

 

(in thousand tonnes, except percentages)

 


 

Qinghai plant

367.0

382.2

104.1

60 kA pre-bake

Guizhou plant

403.7

362.7

89.8

160 kA & 186kA pre-bake

Guangxi plant

139.5

136.2

97.6

160kA &320kA pre-bake

Shandong plant

75.0

125.7

167.6

85kA pre-bake

Henan plant

56.0

41.3

73.8

85kA pre-bake

Shanxi Huaze

280.0

270.2

96.5

300kA pre-bake

Lanzhou Aluminum(3)

160.0

172.0

107.5

200kA & 75kA pre-bake

Shanxi Huasheng(4)

220.0

114.9

52.2

300 kA pre-bake

Fushun Aluminum(4)

140.0

100.0

71.4

200 kA pre-bake

Jiaozuo Wanfang(4) (5)

272.0

68.4

25.1

280 kA pre-bake

Zunyi Aluminum(4)

110.0

42.6

38.7

200 kA pre-bake

Shandong Huayu(4)

100.0

54.3

54.3

240 kA pre-bake

Gansu Hualu(4)

140.0

34.6

24.7

160 kA & 210kA pre-bake

Research Institute (6)

18.0

17.2

95.5

140 kA & 280kA pre-bake

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

2,481.2

1,922.3

77.5

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Production capacity takes into account designed capacity, subsequent modifications and down time for ordinary maintenance and repairs. Our production capacity includes new projects completed in 2006.

 

 

(2)

The capacity utilization rate is determined by dividing the production output of a particular plant by that plant's production capacity.

 

 

(3)

As of December 31, 2006, Lanzhou Aluminum was our associated company owned as to 28% of its equity interest. The results of operations of Lanzhou Aluminum were not consolidated into our audited financial statements. See Note 11(b) and Note 19(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

(4)

We acquired Shandong Huasheng, Fushun Aluminum, Shandong Huayu, Zunyi Aluminum, Gansu Hualu and Jiaozuo Wanfang in 2006. The aluminum production capacities of these smelters were

 

 

- 25 -

 


 

 

their total designed annual production capacity. The aluminum outputs were calculated from the date of their acquisition.

 

 

(5)

As of December 31, 2006, Jiaozuo Wanfang was our associated company owned as to 29% of its equity interest. The results of operations of Jiaozuo Wanfang were not consolidated into our audited financial statements. See Note 11(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements. As we exercise significant influence over Jiaozuo Wanfang, 100% of its designed annual production capacity and its production volume are included in the table above.

 

 

(6)

The primary aluminum production facilities of our Research Institute are experimental facilities for research and development purposes. Primary aluminum produced at the smelter is sold commercially, and such sales are included in our total revenue.

 

 

Raw Materials

 

Alumina

 

Bauxite is the principal raw material for the production of alumina. Most of Chinese bauxite is AL2O3.H2O mineral, an uncommon mineral in other parts of in the world where AL2O3.3H2O is prevailing. Aluminum deposits run through a broad area in Central China, and are especially abundant in the southern and northern areas of China. The largest aluminum deposit lies in Shanxi Province.

 

Our aluminum deposits, except those of Guangxi Pingguo Mine which is an accumulation deposit due to original erosion, usually have similar stratigraphical sequences. Primary bauxite deposit, as a type of sedimentary AL2O3.H2O of Carboniferous or Permian age, is contained in clay rock, limestone or coal seams. A zonary red shale is usually located at the bottom of the bauxite and the red seam distributes over the irregular "karst-type" erosion face on the top of Ordovician limestone. Aluminum deposits in northern China are usually covered with a very thick Quaternary weathering.

 

The thickness and quality of deposits vary with locations. Quality is usually consistent in smooth sections but changes sharply in karst "billabong" terrain. The level of hardness of minerals also varies. A sequence of a seam of hard bauxite of fine quality in the middle and soft bauxite of inferior quality on the bottom and top seams is common in deposits.

 

Generally, deposits are horizontal or with an obliquity of 0-8o, but there are also steep deposits at an angle of 75o, such as the Guizhou No. 2 Mine. Most of the original mineralization is not influenced by folds and faults, and some fractures of a low obliquity and folds emerge in certain deposits, which is evident in the Guizhou No. 2 Mine area where the underground mining method must be used due to the obliquity of its bauxite body reaching 70o with the influence of folds and several meters of dislocation arising from partial faults.

 

The systematic and accurate method of test boring, inspection pit, trial trench, density, tonnage analysis and calculation applied to the geological work of Chinese bauxite is an appropriate method to analyze these types of deposits.

 

On average, our refineries consume approximately 1.8 tonnes of bauxite to produce one tonne of alumina. We used approximately 13,600,000 tonnes, 15,800,000 tonnes and 18,760,000 tonnes of bauxite in our alumina production in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. In 2006, bauxite cost represented approximately 23%, as compared to 21.3% in 2005 of our per unit alumina production costs.

 

Supply. The predominant use of bauxite is for alumina production. We are the largest alumina producer in China and expect to remain so for the foreseeable future. Therefore, we intend to use our dominant market position to obtain bauxite on favorable terms. Except for our Shandong Plant, all of our refineries are located in the four provinces where over 90% of China's potentially mineable bauxite has been found. We generally source our bauxite from mines close to our refineries to save transportation costs. We procure our bauxite supply principally from three sources:

 

*

our own bauxite mining operations;

 

 

*

jointly operated mines; and

 

 

*

purchases from other suppliers, which principally include small independent mines and, to a lesser extent, imports.

 

 

We purchase bauxite from a number of suppliers. We are not dependent on any single supplier or small group of suppliers for our bauxite requirements. We endeavor to explore new bauxite reserves and streamline our bauxite procurement system to support the growth of our alumina production. In 2006, the Chongqing Nanchuan mine became our newly owned mine under the charge of our Chongqing branch. In addition, the Yangcheng Nanpo jointly operated mine was newly added to our Shanxi branch in 2006. In 2006, the production of our owned mines and jointly operated mines was 8,825,600 tonnes, an increase of 29% as compared to 2005.

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the proportion of our bauxite requirements supplied by our three sources:

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

Percentage of

 

Percentage of

 

Percentage of

 

Total

our total

Total

Our Total

Total

our Total

 

Bauxite Supply

Bauxite Supply

Bauxite Supply

Bauxite Supply

Bauxite Supply

Bauxite Supply

 

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 26 -

 


 

 

(in thousand

(in thousand

(in thousand

 

tonnes)

tonnes)

tonnes)


 

Our owned mines

2,237.3

16.4

2,988.1

18.9

4,115.3

21.4

Jointly operated mines

2,501.3

18.4

3,854.8

24.4

4,710.3

24.6

Other suppliers

8,889.4

65.2

8,949.6

56.7

10,343.4

54.0

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

13,628.0

100%

15,792.5

100%

19,169.0

100%

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total designed annual production capacity of our own mines was 5.17 million tonnes, and the total bauxite production in 2006 was 4.12 million tonnes. Of the 4.12 million tonnes of bauxite produced in 2006, 434.9 thousand tonnes was produced by the Guizhou branch, 545.3 thousand tonnes was produced by the Shanxi branch, 1.93 million tonnes was produced by the Guangxi branch, and 1.21 million tonnes was produced by the Kuang Ye branch. All of our mines are accessible via railroads or highways.

 

Owned Mines. We currently have eleven open-pit mines. As of December 31, 2006, these mines had approximately 204.84 million tonnes of aggregate proven and probable bauxite reserves as such terms are defined by the SEC. This amount of bauxite reserves would be sufficient to sustain our mining operations in excess of 30 years assuming an annual mining output of 5,000,000 tonnes. As none of our mines produce bauxite for external sales, we are assured of full access to the bauxite produced by our own mines. In 2006, we sourced approximately 21.4% of our bauxite from mines that we own and operate. In order to obtain or retain the title to mines, we are required to comply with mining qualifications approved by the relevant Chinese authorities and pay an annual fee in amount of 1,000 RMB per km2.

 

For the three years from 2004 to 2006, our own mines produced bauxite of 2,237,300 tonnes, 2,988,100 tonnes and 4,115,300 tonnes, representing 16.42 %, 18.92% and 21.47% of the demand from alumina production, respectively. The following table sets forth information regarding ownership, mining methods and licence renewal dates for our own mines as of December 31, 2006:

 

Branch

Mine

Location

Nature of ownership

Mining Method

License Renewal Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guangxi

Pingguo Mine

Baise, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Zone

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Open pit

September 2031

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guizhou

No.1 Mine

Guiyang, Guizhou Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Open pit

September 2031

 

No.2 Mine

Guiyang, Guizhou Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Open pit

September 2031

 

 

 

 

Open pit

September 2031

 

 

 

 

Underground

October 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanxi

Xiaoyi Mine

Lvliang, Shanxi Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Open pit

September 2031

 

 

 

 

Open pit

September 2031

 

 

 

 

Open pit

June 2008

 

 

 

 

Open pit

May 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henan Bauxite

Mianchi Mine

Sanmenxia, Henan Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Open pit

October 2031

 

 

 

 

Underground

April 2015

 

 

 

 

Open pit

November 2006

 

Luoyang Mine

Luoyang, Henan Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Open pit

October 2031

 

Xiaoguan Mine

Zhengzhou, Henan Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Open pit

October 2031

 

 

 

 

Open pit / Underground

December 2007

 

 

 

 

Open pit / Underground

December 2007

 

Yuzhong Mine

Zhengzhou, Henan Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Underground

June 2015

 

Sanmenxia

Sanmenxia, Henan Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Open pit

April 2016

 

 

 

 

Underground

August 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shandong

Yangquan Mine

Yangquan, Shanxi Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Open pit

September 2031

 

 

 

 

Open pit

September 2026

 

 

 

 

Open pit / Underground

December 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chongqing

Nanchuan Mine

Nanchuan, Chongqing Province

100% owned and operated by Chalco

Underground

November 2016

 

 

 

 

Underground

November 2016

 

 

 

 

Underground

November 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

The respective terms of the mining rights permits are the shorter of the estimated working life of the mine and 30 years beginning 2001. We are required to obtain mining rights permits to operate mining services. To obtain mining rights permits, a mine owner must first prepare exploration reports of the mine and then submit those reports as part of an application to the local government for approval. If an applicant for mining rights permits is not the owner of a mine, the applicant must first enter into an agreement with the mine owner, and then follow the foregoing procedures. The development license is subject to renewal on a regular basis. In addition to mining rights permits, in order to operate these mines, we are required to have land use rights over the land relating to these mines. We lease land use rights relating to all these mines from Chinalco pursuant to a land use rights leasing agreement that we entered into upon our formation. Chinalco's land use rights relating to over 90% of our mining properties are for 50-year terms beginning on July 1, 2001. The remaining land use rights relating to the mines we own and operate are for shorter terms, some as short as eight years. All of our land use rights leases end on the expiry date of the mining rights or the end of the actual mine life, whichever is earlier. Both the land use rights and their leases are renewable.

 

The following table sets forth the specified details about our self-owned mines.

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Branch

Mine

Area

Reserves

  Average Grade (%)

Ratio of

 

 

(km2)

(million tonnes)

Al2O3

SiO2

Average A/S(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henan Bauxite

Mianchi, Luoyang, Xiaoguan, Yuzhong, Sanmenxia

46.17

68.22

64.89

11.42

5.88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guangxi

Pingguo

136.04

86.88

57.09

4.89

12.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guizhou

No.1

20.58

24.59

66.86

10.75

6.24

 

No.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanxi

Xiaoyi

8.88

23.77

64.43

12.48

5.16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shandong

Yangquan

3.19

1.37

59.77

13.58

4.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chongqing

Nanchuan(2)

12.93

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total (average)

 

227.81

204.84

61.73

8.71

7.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By reserve type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Proven reserve

 

 

58.64

63.99

9.30

6.88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Probable reserve

 

 

146.19

60.82

8.47

7.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total (average) reserves

 

 

204.84

61.73

8.71

7.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Refers to the ratio of average grade of Al2O3 to the average grade of SiO2 of the reserves.

 

 

(2)

As of December 31, 2006, Nanchuan mine was still under construction.

 

 

Jointly Operated Mines. We currently jointly operate 17 bauxite mines. Jointly operated mines are generally operated pursuant to long-term contractual arrangements in which we typically contribute resources such as funding, equipment, labor and management, and the other parties contribute land and/or mining rights and certain personnel resources. The other parties are also typically responsible for obtaining all relevant certificates or approvals in respect of the lands. Generally, we are able to control the mining operations of our jointly operated mines, including determination of production schedules as well as the amounts and grades of bauxite produced. As of December 31, 2006, we had obtained mining rights certificates for all of our 17 jointly operated mines. To better utilize our resources and reduce costs, we currently manage our jointly-operated mines using one of three different methods: 1) establishing joint ventures with other companies to invest in and share resources; 2) providing mining technology or other resources to companies with local mines in return for exclusive purchase rights to the bauxite ores; or 3) contracting with local companies for their mining services to operate mines owned by us.

 

In the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, our jointly-operated mines produced bauxite of 2,501,300 tonnes, 3,854,800 tonnes and 4,710,300 tonnes, representing 18.35%, 24.41% and 24.57% of the demand from alumina production, respectively. The following table sets forth ownership and operator data as well as information on mining methods and licence renewal dates for our jointly operated mines as of December 31 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

Mining

License

 

Branch

Mine

Location

Name of Joint Operator

Method

Renewal Date

Material Terms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guizhou

Guojiang

Zunyi, Guizhou Province

Guojiang Economic Development Mining Co., Ltd.

Open pit

August 2011

This mine is 100% owned by Guojiang Economic Development Mining Co., Ltd. We provide mining services in return for the exclusive purchase rights to the mined bauxite for a period of 10 years starting from 1998.

 

Maige

Guiyang, Guizhou Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

December 2012

This mine is 100% owned and operated by Qingzhen City Xinfeng Mining Co., Ltd. We possess the exclusive purchase rights to the mined bauxite for 15 years, since 2000.

 

Zhijin

Bijie, Guizhou Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

September 2008

This mine is 100% owned and operated by Guizhou Chengjin Mining Co., Ltd. We possess the exclusive purchase rights to the mined bauxite for 15 years, since 2001.

 

Tuanxi

Zunyi, Guizhou Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

May 2009

This mine is 100% owned by Qingzhen City Xingwang Mining Co., Ltd. We possess the exclusive purchase rights of the mined bauxite for 30 years, since 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanxi

Wenquan Town

Lvliang, Shanxi Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

April 2007

We 100% own these mines and are

 

Shangtan

Changzhi, Shanxi Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

December 2009

conducting research on the

 

Yangpo

Changzhi, Shanxi Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

July 2008

development plan of these mines

 

Shaping

Changzhi, Shanxi Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

January 2010

and searching for operators for

 

Jindui

Guxian Jindui, Shanxi Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

January 2010

future development.

 

Shicao

Luofan Shicao, Shanxi Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

August 2008

 

 

Nanpo

Yangcheng Nanpo, Shanxi Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

July 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henan Bauxite

Jiagou

Zhengzhou, Henan Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

February 2017

We own a 100% interest in these mines and are conducting research on the development plan of these mines and searching for operators for future development.

 

Qingshigou

Luoyang Kangxin Mining Development Co., Ltd.

n/a(1)

Open pit

March 2008

We own a 100% interest in this mine and contracted with Luoyang Kangxin Mining Development Co., Ltd. for its provision of mining services.

 

Shanchuan

Zhengzhou, Henan Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

November 2008

We own a 100% interest in these mines and are conducting research on the development plan of these mines. We are searching for operators for future development.

 

Jiyuan

Yuxiang mining Co. Ltd.

Shandong Alumina Corporation

Open pit

October 2011

We own a 100% interest in this mine and contracted with Yuxiang Mining Co. Ltd. for its provision of mining services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shandong

Yuanping

Xinzhou, Shanxi Province

Yuanpinggao Alumina mine

Open pit

December 2007

We established a joint venture with Yuanpinggao Alumina mine, in which we hold 51% shares of interest.

 

Dayu

Yangquan, Shanxi Province

n/a(1)

Open pit

June 2007

We own a 100% interest in these mines and are conducting research on the development plan of these mines. We are searching for operators for future development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

We have decided to cooperate with other parties to undertake the mining operations in these mines. However, as of December 31, 2006, the parties we would contract with have not been confirmed yet.

 

 

Jointly operated mines are typically smaller than our own mines but larger than the small independent mines in terms of reserves and production scales. Our 17 jointly operated mines had approximately 28.98 million tonnes in the aggregate of proven and probable bauxite reserves as such terms are defined by the SEC. Security of supply from jointly operated mines is contingent upon the extension or renewal of the joint operation arrangements and mining rights upon their expiration. Accordingly, we view our jointly operated mines, as a group, to be a stable, long-term source of our bauxite supply, although the particular mines comprising this group are likely to change. Jointly operated mines supplied 24.6% of our bauxite needs in 2006.

 

The following table sets forth the specified details of our jointly-operated mines.

 

     

Total

   

Branch

Mine

Area

Reserves

    Average Grade (%)

Ratio of

   

(km2)

(million tonnes)

Al2O3

SiO2

Average A/S(1)

   

 

 

 

 

 

Guizhou

Guojiang

18.05

12.67

62.34

11.47

5.45

 

Tuanxi

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zhijin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maige

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanxi

Wenquanxiang

14.64

11.86

64.52

10.47

6.19

 

Shangtan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yangpo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shaping

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jindui

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shicao

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henan Bauxite

Jiagou

14.19

2.73

62.67

12.54

5.17

 

Qingshuigou(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanchuan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiyuan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shandong

Dayu

1.78

1.71

65.31

11.23

5.81

 

Yuanping(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total (average)

 

49.48

28.98

51.58

9.13

5.65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By reserve type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Proven reserve

 

 

2.98

57.57

11.23

5.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Probable reserve

 

 

26.00

50.89

8.89

5.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total (average) reserves

 

 

28.98

51.58

8.71

5.65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Refers to the ratio of average grade of Al2O3 to the average grade of SiO2 of the reserves.

 

 

(2)

As of December 31 2006, the newly established Qingshuigou and Yuanping mines were still under construction.

 

 

Other Suppliers. In addition to our own mines and our jointly operated mines, we also source bauxite from other suppliers. A majority of other suppliers are small independent mines. However, we also secure a small

 

- 27 -

 


 

portion of bauxite from overseas. Bauxite secured from other suppliers accounted for 54.0% of our total bauxite supply in 2006.

 

*

Small Independent Mines. We purchase bauxite directly from small independent mines or through local distributors that procure bauxite from these mines. Small independent mines are not affiliated with us and generally have annual bauxite production capacities not exceeding 200,000 tonnes. These mines have historically been our important source of bauxite. The average price of bauxite from small independent mines increased by 3.5% from 2005 to 2006.

 

 

*

In addition, we also source a small portion of bauxite from other overseas suppliers.

 

 

Bauxite Procurement. A mineral resource department in our headquarters is responsible for the control and coordination of the supply of our bauxite. To determine how our bauxite requirement will be allocated among our principal sources each year, we first estimate our total bauxite needs for the year. Based on market conditions, production costs and other factors, we decide on the amount of bauxite that we wish to source from our own mines, and allocate the remaining requirements among the jointly operated mines and other suppliers. Given the increasing price of bauxite supplied by external independent mines resulting from high market demand, our management or operational control of our own mines and jointly operated mines generally allows us to adjust the procurement levels from these sources during the course of the year to accommodate market conditions.

 

Alumina-to-Silica Ratio. The production method for alumina refining is determined by the mineral composition of the bauxite, as measured by reference to its alumina-to-silica ratio. Most of the bauxite reserves in China are diasporic with low alumina-to-silica ratios. Based on our current technology, an efficient application of the Bayer process requires bauxite with an alumina-to-silica ratio of 10:1 or higher, while the sintering process can refine bauxite with an alumina-to-silica ratio as low as 4:1. The average alumina-to-silica ratio of the proven and probable reserves of our own mines is from 6.5:1 to 7:1.

 

Prices. There is neither governmental regulation of bauxite prices nor an official trading market for bauxite in China. We negotiate and agree on bauxite prices with our suppliers, based on ore quality, mining costs, market conditions, transportation costs and various governmental taxes or levies, including a resource tax imposed by local governments. Because we procure bauxite from three different sources, our total bauxite cost is influenced by the following factors:

 

*

the cost of our own mining operations;

 

 

*

the terms of our operational arrangements with respect to our jointly operated mines; and

 

 

*

the market conditions relating to purchases from small independent mines.

 

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the average purchase price paid for bauxite obtained over the last three years from our own operations, joint operations, domestic third-party suppliers and overseas third-party suppliers:

 

 

 

Jointly

Domestic

Overseas

 

Own Mines

Operated Mines

Third-Party Mines

Third-Party Mines

 

(RMB / tonne)

 

 

2004

143

159

181

303

2005

167

199

199

320

2006

170

197

207

341

 

 

 

 

 

We purchase a significant amount of bauxite from sources other than our own mines as a means to protect the resources that we have already acquired. This strategy is of significant importance to us, particularly because there are fewer bauxite reserves in domestic China compared to other countries. Additionally, in order to fully utilize our own resources, we refine all bauxite that meets the minimum requirement. We purchase ore of higher grades from other suppliers and blend the ore to meet exact product requirements. This practice allows for flexibility and the inclusion of isolated, poorer grade bauxite, to better utilize the available bauxite deposit.

 

Our own mines did not produce to their designed capacities primarily because the delayed upgrade of our manufacturing facilities resulted in insufficient production capacities. However, due to the decrease in supply of high quality bauxite at reasonable prices in recent years, we have increased our expenditures in the improvement and upgrade of our own mines. Through purchases of modern equipment, we have enhanced the stability and quality of our bauxite supply. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our capital expenditures for our mines:

 

 

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

 

(RMB thousand)

   

Capital Expenditures

           

    Infrastructure construction

-

8,651.67

3,751.46

303,894.34

50,552.37

550,237.51

    Facility upgrade

-

-

6,360.40

7,714.74

34,193.98

64,971.36

             

Total

-

8,651.67

10,111.86

311,609.08

84,746.35

615,208.87

             

We have implemented efforts to improve and upgrade several of our mines in the year ended December 31, 2006. These upgrade plans include: (i) an upgrade project to the Shanxi Xiaoyi Bauxite mine with designed mining capacity of 950,000 tonnnes per year; (ii) an upgrade project to Yinchangpo deposit of the Guizhou No.1 mine and Yanlong deposit of the Guizhou No.2 mine with a designed mining capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year and 80,000 tonnes per year, respectively; (iii) construction of Phase III of the Taiping mine of Guangxi plant which commenced from November 2006 with a designed mining capacity of 2,080,000 tonnes per year. We also commenced plans to improve the capacity of the Jiagou mine, Yanchi Guangou mine, Jiajiawa mine and Xiaoguan mine in 2006.

 

We have consistently undertaken activities relating to the consolidation of existing mines and exploration for new resources since our establishment. During the Track Record Period, major upgrade or expansion projects to our mines included: (i) Phase III Aluminum Projects (mining part) in both the Guangxi and Shanxi branches; (ii) a new ore cracking system for Guilin Branch; and (iii) an expansion project in Henan Branch.

 

In an effort to modernize our property and equipment, we utilize modern and large-scale mining equipment in the Pingguo Mine in Guangxi and the Xiaoyi Mine in Shanxi because these two mines have larger reserves and higher production volumes.

 

We are currently conducting several exploration projects on our mines, including consolidation of existing mines and exploration of new mines. As a result, our total bauxite reserves was approximately 404.4 million tonnes as of December 31, 2006, an increase from 359.7 million tonnes in the year 2005.

 

Primary Aluminum

 

An average of approximately 2.0 tonnes of alumina and 14,500 kWh of electricity were required to produce one tonne of primary aluminum. Alumina and electricity, the two principal ingredients in the smelting process in terms of volume and cost, accounted for approximately 47% and 30%, respectively, of our unit primary aluminum production costs in 2006. We also require carbon anodes, carbon cathodes and sodium fluoride in the smelting process.

 

Alumina is the main raw material in the production of primary aluminum. Our Shandong, Henan, Guizhou and Guangxi smelters have historically sourced all or substantially all of the alumina they required from their respective integrated refineries. All our plants which do not have alumina refining operations on site have obtained alumina internally from our own alumina refineries. Due to mergers and consolidation, there were 34 primary aluminum smelters with an annual production volume not less than 100,000 tonnes in the PRC as of December 31, 2006. The average production volume of the 34 primary aluminum smelters is approximately 106,000 tonnes. With the development of the primary aluminum industry, our competitiveness has been enhanced. As of December 31, 2006, the total amount of alumina consumed by our smelters is 3,570,000 tonnes.

 

Supplemental Materials, Electricity and Fuel

 

The main fuel used by our plants is diesel for mining and manufacturing equipment. We are able to purchase diesel supplies from the public markets.

We source our water mainly from local rivers, lakes or underground water resources.

 

- 28 -

 


 

Alumina

 

Electricity, coal, alkali (caustic soda or soda ash) and heavy oil are the other principal items required for our alumina production. We established a supplies department in our headquarters to control and coordinate the budgeting and procurement for all major items required for our production. In addition, to raise the efficiency of materials flow, a distribution center was set up at each production facility. However, our efforts in improving the efficiency of material supplies by the procurement system were to a certain extent offset by the significantly increased prices for coal and fuel due to their short supply in 2006.

 

Electricity. Electricity is one of the principal forms of energy used in our refining process. Electricity represented approximately 7% of our unit alumina production cost in 2006.

 

To the extent that power produced by the joint operation facility is insufficient to meet a refinery's total power requirements, we purchase the shortfall from regional power grids at government-mandated rates pursuant to power supply agreements. Power prices in China can vary, sometimes substantially, from one region to another, based on power production costs in the region as well as the consuming community's ability to pay. Accordingly, power costs for our various plants differ. Most of our electricity supply agreements are one to three year renewable contracts with regional power grids.

 

Coal. Large quantities of coal are used as a reducing agent and as fuel to produce steam and gas in the alumina refining process. The coal we consumed directly in the alumina refining process in 2006 represented 7% of our unit alumina production costs. Additional amounts of coal were used to produce steam and electricity in connection with refining for the same periods.

 

To secure our coal supply, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Jiaozuo Coal (Group) Co., Ltd., or Jiaozuo Coal, on April 12, 2004 to establish a joint venture company in Henan Province to operate coal mines and manage coal processing business on May 15, 2004. We contributed 30% of the total registered capital in the amount of RMB45.0 million by way of cash and Jiaozuo Coal contributed 70% of the total registered capital in the amount of RMB105.0 million by way of cash and revaluated coal mining rights in respect of Zhaogu mine. Zhaogu mine is currently under construction and the construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. According to the joint venture agreement, we are entitled to all of the slack coal produced by the joint venture company.

 

Alkali. Alkali is used as a supplemental material in alumina refining. The sintering process and the hybrid Bayer-sintering process require soda ash while caustic soda is used in the Bayer process. We purchase all of our alkali from outside suppliers. Alkali accounted for 7% of our unit alumina production cost in 2006.

 

Heavy Oil. Heavy oil is used as fuel in the calcination of aluminum hydroxide to make alumina. Most of our refineries use heavy oil. Heavy oil represented approximately 4% of our unit alumina production cost in 2006.

 

There is no governmental regulation of the prices of heavy oil, alkali or coal. The prices are set at market rates or through negotiations. We have not experienced difficulty in obtaining these materials in sufficient quantity and at an acceptable price.

 

Deliveries of raw materials and supplemental materials are generally made on a monthly basis. Our raw material suppliers arrange for railway transportation of these raw materials by submitting to local bureaus of the Ministry of Railways their annual and monthly transportation plans. These local bureaus then arrange for appropriate rail transportation to transport such raw materials or fuel to our refineries.

 

Primary Aluminum

 

Electricity. Smelting primary aluminum requires a substantial, continuous supply of electricity. Therefore, the availability and price of electricity are key considerations in our primary aluminum production operations. Costs of electricity have increased period by period in the recent years due to severe shortage of electric power in China. In 2006, electricity prices increased due to the government adjustment. Accordingly, our electricity purchase price increased 2.9% compared to 2005. We rely on electricity from the power grids for our smelter operations. We purchase electricity from regional power grids. Prices for electricity supplied by the power grids under power supply contracts are set by the government based on the power generation

 

- 29 -

 


 

cost in the region and the consumers' ability to pay. Industrial users within each region are generally subject to a common electricity tariff schedule, but rates vary, sometimes substantially, across regions. Each regional power grid serves a region comprising several provinces. The regional power grids generally rely on multiple power sources to generate electricity, with coal and hydro power being the two most common sources. We believe that the different types of power sources do not imply different degrees of reliability of supply, and that our power supply from the grids is generally not reliant upon any particular generation facility supplying the grid.

 

Electricity purchased from different power grids is subject to different tariff levels. All of our production facilities currently enjoy preferential discount electricity prices granted by local government authorities. Our smelters' average electricity cost was RMB0.348/kWh in 2006. Our electricity costs per tonne of primary aluminum for 2006 represented 30% of our unit primary aluminum production costs. A major challenge to our strategy of enhancing the competitiveness of our primary aluminum operations is the high price of electricity in China. In 2006, the total electricity used in the smelting operations at our primary aluminum production facilities was 27.8 billion kWh.

 

Carbon Products. Carbon anodes and cathodes are key elements of the smelting process. As of December 31, 2006, carbon anodes represented 9.98% of our unit primary aluminum production costs. Each of our smelters produces carbon products other than carbon cathodes, such as carbon anodes. Only our Guizhou plant has a carbon cathode production facility, which supplies all of our smelters with the carbon cathodes required and sells any excess domestically to outside smelters.

 

Suppliers

 

We rely on our suppliers for the supply of raw materials including bauxite, coal, heavy oil and alkali. The amount of raw materials provided by our five largest suppliers for alumina products and primary aluminum products accounted for 7% and 21%, respectively, of our total cost of raw materials for 2006. Raw materials provided by our largest supplier accounted for 3% and 7%, of our total cost of raw materials for alumina and primary aluminum, respectively, in 2006. All payments to our suppliers are in Renminbi.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

We coordinate our major sales and marketing activities at our corporate headquarters. We set uniform prices for our alumina sales and set minimum prices in each region where our primary aluminum is sold. We have consolidated the networks of our branch offices to eliminate overlapping of administrative support and to reduce sales costs. In response to increasingly intensified competition, we established Shandong Alumina Chemicals Sales Department to centralize the sales of our alumina chemical products. Our subsidiaries have also played an important role in improving our after-sales services and enhancing our influence in the marketplace.

 

In 2003, as part of our centralized management program, we required all sales of alumina and primary aluminum to be settled upon delivery. However, due to the increased number of the subsidiaries acquired by us, our net trade receivables increased from RMB179.2 million as of December 31, 2005 to RMB358.6 million as of December 31, 2006. Since 2004, we have required our customers to make prepayments and deposits for purchases of alumina. The total amount of deposits and prepayments received was RMB425.7 million as of December 31, 2006. We expect to continue this policy so long as market demand remains strong.

 

Alumina

 

We sell a portion of the alumina we produce to our own primary aluminum smelters and a majority of our alumina output to external customers. In 2006, we used approximately 3.57 million of approximately 8.83 million tonnes of our total alumina output internally, which represented approximately 40% of our total alumina production. The volume of internal sales includes the alumina we sold to our associated companies, namely Lanzhou Aluminum, which became our wholly-owned subsidiary after the A Share issuance on April 30, 2007, and Jiaozuo Wanfang. We sold approximately 5.26 million tonnes of alumina externally in 2006. All of our output of alumina chemical products is sold externally.

 

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Sales

 

We coordinate sales of alumina at our corporate headquarters. In the fourth quarter of each year, we organize a national alumina sales conference with our domestic primary aluminum smelter customers in order to match our supply with their requirements for the following year. Based on our production capacity for the coming year, we first reserve the amount of alumina needed for primary aluminum production by our smelters before we determine the amount available for sale to other primary aluminum smelters. Next, we allocate our alumina to smelters with whom we have long-standing relationships and that have good credit and a good payment history. We consider other smelters only if we have remaining alumina to allocate. Approximately 95% of our sales of alumina are made through these annual conferences.

 

Based on the sales allocations we make at the annual conference, we and our customers typically enter into one-year sales agreements that set forth their total allocation and sales schedules. At the time of entering into these one-year sales agreements, prices are left open and determined at or near the time of delivery at the then prevailing market price. We apply uniform prices to alumina sales regardless of where the alumina is produced. If a customer does not accept our price near the time of delivery, it may refuse to take delivery despite the one-year agreement. We began selling a portion of our alumina pursuant to long-term sales contracts in 2001. Since January 1, 2004, we have gradually entered into three-year or five-year sales contracts for alumina. The external sales volume under these long-term sales contracts accounts for approximately 54% of the total sales volume in 2006. Under these contracts, the sales volume is fixed, and the price is linked to an index of three-month futures price of primary aluminum quoted at the Shanghai Futures Exchange.

 

Customers

 

We sell our alumina to smelters throughout China. Sales to our five largest external customers accounted for 17.7%, 12.9% and 13% of our total external alumina revenue for 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Sales to our largest customer accounted for 4.3%, 3.6% and 4%, respectively, of our total external alumina revenue for the same periods. All of these major customers in the last three years were domestic smelters.

 

Pricing

 

We sell our alumina products by way of spot sales or under long-term contracts. Pricing for our alumina products is determined by the nature of the sale as described below.

 

Spot sales. We set, and adjust as necessary, uniform sales prices for alumina produced by any of our refineries. In 2006, The highest and lowest spot price of domestic alumina was RMB6,500 per tonne and RMB2,300 per tonne, respectively. The annual average selling price of our alumina was RMB4,107 per tonne, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.4%. We set uniform prices for all our external sales of alumina by reference to import costs of alumina, the market supply and demand conditions, as well as our short-term and mid-term projections. Our pricing generally takes into account:

 

*

free-on-board Australia prices for alumina exports into China;

 

 

*

international transportation costs;

 

 

*

the applicable standard PRC import tariff;

 

 

*

value-added tax at 17%;

 

 

*

import related fees; and

 

 

*

domestic demand and supply conditions.

 

 

Long-term contracts sales. Internationally, the customary practice for alumina pricing under long-term contracts is by reference to the LME prices for primary aluminum. Since 2001, we have entered into a number of domestic long-term alumina sales contracts with three-year terms, under which the sales price is set as a percentage of the three-month primary aluminum prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange. As a result, fluctuations of primary aluminum prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange can affect our alumina

 

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prices under these long-term contracts, and such effects may increase as we increase the proportion of alumina sales under long-term contracts.

 

Primary Aluminum

 

Substantially all of our primary aluminum products are sold externally. In 2006, we sold approximately 1,930,000 tonnes of primary aluminum, including the sales made by Lanzhou Aluminum and Jiaozuo Wanfang, with the average price of RMB20,548 per tonne, representing a year-on-year increase of 23.1%.

 

Sales

 

We sell our primary aluminum through two channels:

 

*

Contract sales. Most of our primary aluminum sales are made pursuant to contracts entered into directly with our established customers. These may be long-term or short-term contracts, and a smelter plant may make deliveries directly or through a branch office.

 

 

*

Sales on the Shanghai Futures Exchange. As part of our effort to manage market risk, we sell a portion of our primary aluminum products on the Shanghai Futures Exchange through futures contracts of one to six month terms to hedge against a potential decline in primary aluminum prices.

 

 

We hold annual regional primary aluminum sales conferences in the fourth quarter of each year to coordinate the production and sales for the following year. We centrally control our product futures sales on the Shanghai Futures Exchange.

 

To improve the efficiency of our distribution, we divide our China market into several regions as follows:

 

*

southern China (including Guangdong and Fujian Provinces);

 

 

*

eastern China (including Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces and Shanghai City);

 

 

*

southwestern China (including Sichuan Province and Chongqing City);

 

 

*

the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu area; and

 

 

*

northeastern China (including Heilongjiang Province).

 

 

Customers

 

Apart from a small amount of export sales, we sell all of our primary aluminum products to domestic customers. The Chinese market is our core market for primary aluminum, and we expect it to remain so for the foreseeable future. Domestic customers of our primary aluminum products principally consist of:

 

*

domestic aluminum fabricators that use our primary aluminum as raw material for further processing; and

 

 

*

aluminum distributors that resell our primary aluminum products to domestic aluminum fabricators or other purchasers.

 

 

Our five largest customers combined accounted for approximately 17.5%, 21.1% and 9% of our total primary aluminum revenue for 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Our largest customer accounted for approximately 6.6%, 9.8% and 3% of our total primary aluminum turnover during the same periods.

 

Our export operations consist of ordinary sales of our products to international customers and export sales of primary aluminum. All export sales of our primary aluminum are sold at negotiated prices. However, with effect from November 1, 2006, exports of primary aluminum are subject to a 15% export tax, and no export tax refund is available. Due to the small quantity of our exportation, the export tax does not have substantial effect on us.

 

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Pricing

 

We establish pricing guidelines for domestic sales of our own primary aluminum products, taking into account three main factors:

 

*

the primary aluminum spot prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange;

 

 

*

our production costs and profit margins; and

 

 

*

market supply and demand conditions.

 

 

As part of our sales integration and centralization efforts, we set minimum prices with respect to each region in China where our primary aluminum is sold. These minimum prices are expressed by reference to the Shanghai Futures Exchange spot price for primary aluminum, not including transportation. The minimum prices may differ from region to region, but all of our primary aluminum sold into a region, regardless of the plant or warehouse from which it originates or is shipped, is sold at or above the minimum price applicable to that region. Those of our smelter plants filling particular orders are principally involved in discussions with the customer as to the pricing and delivery arrangements for specific transactions. They are required to comply with the minimum pricing guidelines unless prior approval from headquarters has been obtained. In general, we supply each region with products from our nearest smelters to minimize transportation costs as much as possible.

 

Alumina Chemical Products and Gallium

 

Alumina chemical products and gallium are intermediate products of, or otherwise related to, our alumina production. Our production levels for these products are based on market demand for them. We sell all of our alumina chemical products and gallium externally, mostly domestically but some internationally. Prices for our alumina chemical products and gallium are set according to market demand or by agreement with our customers.

 

Delivery

 

Alumina

 

Delivery of alumina is made from our refineries by rail or truck. Our sales price is normally exclusive of transportation costs. For long-distance delivery, we have spur lines connecting our plants to the national railway routes. We are responsible for the maintenance of these spur lines. The price of shipping on the national railway system is fixed by the government.

 

Primary Aluminum

 

Our primary aluminum products are transported to our customers mostly by rail. In view of the substantial distances that separate our smelter plants from southern and eastern China where most of the aluminum fabrication plants are concentrated, we have subsidiaries (often with warehousing capacity leased from third parties) in major cities in eastern and southern China to facilitate deliveries and coordination.

 

Our Facilities

 

Our core facilities include sixteen production plants and our Research Institute. Set forth below is a plant-by-plant description of our facilities. Our production operations are organized and managed according to our two business segments, alumina and primary aluminum. See "Item 4 - History and Development of the Company-Overview" for details of the plants under construction. All of our facilities are accessible via railroads or highways.

 

Guangxi Plant

 

The Guangxi plant commenced operations in 1994 and is located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southwestern China, an area rich in bauxite resources. The Guangxi plant receives bauxite for production via highway from the Pingguo mine, located in Guangxi Pingguo. The Guangxi plant is our newest alumina and primary aluminum plant, and is equipped with imported production facilities and technology.

 

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Our Guangxi plant is situated within 17 kilometers of our own mines that contain large, easily exploitable high alumina-to-silica ratio bauxite reserves. The Guangxi plant is our only refinery that uses the Bayer method exclusively. With imported European technology and production equipment, our Guangxi refinery features a high level of automation and energy efficiency. Since its inception, we have increased the Guangxi plant's original designed production capacity by removing production bottlenecks and capacity expansions. As of December 31, 2006, the plant's production capacity reached 850,000 tonnes of alumina per annum. Most of its alumina output is used in the primary aluminum smelter at our Guangxi plant and the remainder is sold to external smelters. The third-period construction of Guangxi Alumina, with a production capacity of 800,000 tonnes, commenced in March 2006 and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2008.

 

Our Guangxi plant also uses advanced 160 kA and 320 kA pre-bake reduction pot-lines, which we developed, for its primary aluminum production. As of December 31, 2006, the plant's production capacity reached 139,500 tonnes of primary aluminum per annum. All primary aluminum it produces is sold externally.

 

Guizhou Plant

 

Our primary aluminum production facilities in Guizhou Province, which possesses integrated alumina and primary aluminum production facilities, commenced operations in 1966. The Guizhou plant receives bauxite for production via highway from the Guizhou No. 1 mine located in Guizhou, Xiuwen, and via cableway and railway from the Guizhou No. 2 mine located in Guizhou, Qingzhen.

 

Our Guizhou alumina refinery commenced operations in 1978 and is as advanced as any facility of its kind in China, as many of its key technologies and equipment are imported. It uses the hybrid Bayer-sintering process for its alumina production and relies on our own mines and outside suppliers for bauxite supply. Bauxite from our own nearby mines is delivered to the refinery by cable cars and by train. The plant's alumina output is mostly used in the primary aluminum production at the same plant and the remainder sold to external smelters. As of December 31, 2006, the plant's production capacity reached 800,000 tonnes of alumina per annum. Recently, Guizhou plant has undertaken an environmental protection management project which is expected to be completed at the end of 2007. Upon the completion of this project, the alumina production capacity of Guizhou plant is expected to increase by 400,000 tonnes. The primary aluminum facilities at our Guizhou plant consist of large-scale pre-bake reduction pot-lines, ranging from 160 kA to 186 kA. As a result of technological innovations and overhauls since its inception, our Guizhou smelter plant is among the most technologically advanced smelters in China. In 2006, the production capacity of primary aluminum of our Guizhou plant was 403,700 tonnes. The production volume of out Guizhou plant was 363,000 tonnes in 2006, ranking it the fifth largest primary aluminum plant in China in terms of production capacity.

 

The Guizhou plant also contains a modern carbon production facility. In addition to producing carbon anodes, it is the only facility we operate that produces carbon cathodes. As such, it supplies all of the carbon cathodes required by our seven plants and our Research Institute. Its carbon cathodes are also sold externally throughout China.

 

Henan Plant

 

Our Henan plant is located in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, a province rich in bauxite resources. The Henan plant receives bauxite for production via railway and highway from the following mines: Xiaoguan mine located in Henan Zhengzhou; Luoyang mine in Henan Luoyang; Yanchi mine in Henan Sanmenxia; Yuzhong mine in Henan Zhengzhou; and Jiaozuo mine in Henan Jiaozuo. Its alumina and primary aluminum production commenced operations in 1966 and 1967, respectively. The Henan plant was the first refinery in China to develop the hybrid Bayer-sintering process. We commenced operations of a new alumina production line from February 2004 using the ore-dressing Bayer process that we developed in recent years to refine low alumina-to-silica ratio bauxite. Since its inception, the Henan plant's production facilities have undergone substantial technological upgrades, based on equipment imported from Germany and Denmark. The refinery has also benefited from its access to high alumina-to-silica ratio bauxite from our own mines and through local market purchases. Its alumina output is first used to satisfy its primary aluminum production, and the remainder is sold to our other smelters and external customers. The designed annual production capacity of alumina of our Henan plant was 2,050,000 tonnes in 2006.

 

We upgraded a portion of the primary aluminum facilities at this plant, which now utilizes 85 kA pre-bake reduction pot-lines. Its carbon plant produces high quality carbon products for external sales in China as well

 

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as for export, after meeting the needs of our various smelting operations. As of December 31, 2006, the plant's production capacity reached 56,000 tonnes of primary aluminum per annum.

 

Shandong Plant

 

The Shandong plant commenced operations in 1954 and has the capacity to produce both alumina and primary aluminum. The Shandong plant receives bauxite for production via railway and highway from the Yangquan mine in Shanxi Yangquan. Its refinery was China's first production facility for alumina. Both the refinery and smelter are owned and operated by Shandong Aluminum, which became our wholly-owned subsidiary after the A Share issuance on April 30, 2007. The plant produces the majority of its alumina through the sintering process, but has a small production line to produce alumina through the Bayer process using imported bauxite. During 2002, the Bayer production line was converted into an ore-dressing sintering operation. The Shandong plant purchases the majority of its bauxite requirements from small independent mines in Henan and Shanxi Provinces. Its alumina output is first used to satisfy its primary aluminum production, and the remainder is sold to our other smelters and external customers. As of December 31, 2006, after using the hybrid Bayer-sintering process, the annual capacity of alumina increased from 1,050,000 tonnes to 1,500,000 tonnes.

 

In addition to alumina, our Shandong plant also produces substantial amounts of alumina chemical products. It is the largest and most technologically advanced alumina chemical products production facility, and produces the most varieties of these products in China. Alumina chemical products produced by our Shandong plant are used in the jewelry, ceramics and other industries. Its alumina chemicals products are sold both domestically and internationally.

 

Our Shandong plant's primary aluminum operations have undergone technological and equipment upgrades, with the majority of its original equipment having been replaced by more advanced equipment. As of December 31, 2006, the plant's production capacity reached 75,000 tonnes of primary aluminum per annum.

 

Qinghai Plant

 

Located in Qinghai Province, our Qinghai plant is a stand-alone primary aluminum production facility and is also China's second largest smelter in terms of production capacity. This plant commenced operations in 1987 and is one of the most technologically advanced primary aluminum smelters in China. It operates 160 kA automated pre-bake anode reduction pot-lines that were developed domestically. It benefits from relatively low electricity costs in Qinghai Province resulting from substantial hydroelectric power stations in the region. Historically, the plant has relied on our Shanxi, Shandong, Henan and Zhongzhou plants for its alumina supply. Because of its relatively remote location, the plant incurs higher transportation costs for both raw materials and its primary aluminum products. The Qinghai plant's designed annual production capacity of primary aluminum was 367,000 tonnes in 2006. Its production volume was 382,000 tonnes in 2006, ranking it the third largest primary aluminum smelter in China in terms of production capacity.

 

Shanxi Plant

 

The Shanxi plant commenced operations in 1987 and is located in Shanxi Province, a province with rich bauxite deposits in China. The Shanxi plant receives bauxite for production via railway and highway from the Xiaoyi mine in Shanxi Province. Our Shanxi plant is a stand-alone alumina plant and is currently China's largest alumina plant in terms of production capacity.

 

The Shanxi plant's production facilities are primarily imported and are more technologically advanced compared with other domestic alumina refineries. The plant relies on bauxite from our own mines as well as external suppliers. In close proximity to large coal mines and substantial water resources, the plant currently has the largest power cogeneration capacity of all of our alumina plants. The total alumina production capacity of our Shanxi plant reached 2,217,000 tonnes in 2006.

 

Zhongzhou Plant

 

Situated in Henan Province, our Zhongzhou plant is a stand-alone alumina plant, located near bauxite, coal and water supplies. The plant commenced operations in 1993 and is equipped with imported and self-developed technology and has undergone various improvements and upgrades, including improved sintering technology. We purchase bauxite supplies from Henan and Shanxi Provinces. In 2006, following the completion of a project involving the upgrade of the sintering process, as well as a project involving alumina

 

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concentration with added bauxite after digestion of the ore-dressing Bayer process, the plant's production capacity reached 1,570,000 tonnes of alumina per annum.

 

Bauxite Branch

 

Our bauxite branch is situated in Henan province and was established in February 2005. After its establishment, our self-owned mining facilities from the Henan plant and Zhongzhou plant were incorporated into the bauxite branch. The main business of our bauxite branch is the exploration, exploitation and sale of bauxite and lime.

 

Lanzhou Aluminum

 

Lanzhou Aluminum is situated in Lanzhou city in Gansu Province and is a stand-alone primary aluminum plant. Lanzhou Aluminum Plant was established in 1999, whose shares were listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2000. In January 2005, we entered into an agreement with Lanzhou Aluminum Plant to acquire 151,851,442 shares, or 28% of the total issued share capital in Lanzhou Aluminum. The acquisition was completed in March 2005 and Lanzhou Aluminum became our associated company whose results of operations are not consolidated into our financial statements as of December 31, 2006. After A Shares issuance on April 30, 2007, Lanzhou Aluminum became our wholly-owned subsidiary and its shares ceased to be traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange See "Item 4 - History and Development of the Company - The A Shares Offering". Lanzhou Aluminum owns a primary aluminum smelting plant with a designed annual production capacity of approximately 160,000 tonnes. Lanzhou Aluminum also owns an alumina-based material processing plant with a designed annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes. A new primary aluminum project with production capacity of 2,800,000 tonnes is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.

 

Jiaozuo Wanfang

 

Jiaozuo Wanfang is situated in Jiaozuo city in Henan Province and is a stand-alone primary aluminum plant. Jiaozuo Wanfang Plant was established in 1993, whose shares were listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1996. In May, 2006, we entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Jiaozuo Wanfang Group to acquire 29% of the issued share capital, or 139,251,064 State-owned legal person shares held by Jiaozuo Wanfang Group in the issued share capital of Jiaozuo Wanfang Aluminum Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ("Jiaozuo Wanfang"), and thus became its largest shareholder. Jiaozuo Wanfang has a designed annual production capacity of 272,000 tonnes of primary aluminum. A new primary aluminum project with production capacity of 1,400,000 tonnes is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.

 

Shanxi Huaze

 

Shanxi Huaze is situated in Shanxi Province. On March 30, 2003, we established a joint venture company, Shanxi Huaze Aluminum & Power Co., Ltd., with Shanxi Zhangze Electricity Company Limited to commence the construction of a primary aluminum production facility with a designed annual production capacity of 280,000 tonnes, carbon anodes facilities and two 300 MW coal-fired generators. The construction was substantially completed at the end of 2006. For more information, see "- Property, Plant and Equipment - Our Expansion and Profit Improvement Plan - Shanxi Huaze Smelter".

 

Shanxi Huasheng

 

Shanxi Huasheng Aluminum is situated in Shanxi Province. On December 6, 2005, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Shanxi Guanlv Co., Ltd. to establish a joint venture company, Shanxi Huasheng Aluminum Company Ltd. The joint venture company commenced operations in March 2006, with a designed annual production capacity of primary aluminum of approximately 220,000 tonnes. The joint venture company has a total investment of RMB2,379.4 million and a registered capital of RMB1,000 million, of which we committed RMB510 million and hold a 51% equity interest in Shanxi Huasheng.

 

Zunyi Aluminum

 

Zunyi Aluminum is situated in Guizhou Province. In June 2006, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. and eight other companies, which are the

 

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shareholders of Zunyi Aluminum, to purchase part of the equity interest from Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Co and all the equity interest held by the other eight companies. We have completed our purchase and currently hold a 61.3% equity interest in Zunyi Aluminum. Zunyi Aluminum, has a designed annual production capacity of 110,000 tonnes of primary aluminum.

 

Fushun Aluminum

 

Fushun Aluminum is situated in Liaoning Province, and is a stand-alone primary aluminum plant which has an annual production capacity of 140,000 tonnes. In March 2006, we entered into a share transfer agreement with Liaoning Fushun Aluminum Plant to acquire the 100% equity interests in Fushun Aluminum for a consideration of RMB500 million. Fushun Aluminum's primary business is the production of primary aluminum and carbon products. A new primary aluminum project with a production capacity of 1,000,000 tonnes is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.

 

Shandong Huayu

 

Shandong Huayu is situated in Shandong Province, and is a stand-alone primary aluminum plant. In July 2006, we entered into a share transfer agreement with Shandong Huasheng Jiangquan Group to acquire a 55% equity interest of Shandong Huayu, a subsidiary of Shandong Huasheng Jiangquan Group. Shandong Huayu has a designed annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of primary aluminum, and also has other supporting facilities and two 135MW coal-fired generators.

 

Gansu Hualu

 

Gansu Hualu is situated in Gansu Province, and is a stand-alone primary aluminum plant. In August 2006, we entered into a share transfer agreement with Baiyin Nonferrous Metal (Group) Co., Ltd. ("Baiyin Nonferrous"), and Baiyin Ibis Aluminum Co., Ltd. ("Baiyin Ibis"). Baiyin Nonferrous contributed 127,000 tonnes of primary aluminum smelting and supporting facilities owned by Baiyin Ibis as capital contribution and holds a 49% equity interest in Gansu Hualu, a subsidiary of Baiyin Ibis, and we hold a 51% equity interest in Gansu Hualu. The joint venture will have a designed annual production capacity of 127,000 tonnes of primary aluminum.

 

Research Institute

 

Established in August 1965 and located in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, the Research Institute specializes in aluminum smelting-related research and development. It is the only research institute in China dedicated to light metals research, and has played a key role in bringing about technological innovations in China's aluminum industry. The Research Institute is central to our research and development efforts. The Research Institute operates test facilities, which produce alumina chemical products and primary aluminum. It also provides research and development services to third parties on a contractual basis. Approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the PRC in December 2003, Research Institute established National Research Center of Aluminum Refinery Technologies and Engineering.

 

Research Institute's significant achievements in 2006 include:

 

*

Developing the technology of (i) desilication of low-grade bauxite; (ii) improving the seed decomposition ratio; (iii) improving the anode quality; and (iv) harmless disposal of the inner liner of the spent potliner;

 

 

*

Implementing and commercializing production technology to increase the production volume for the enhancement of the efficiency of alumina production;

 

 

*

Commercializing the technology to lower the energy consumption during the smelting process and developing new technology and equipment for smelting; and

 

 

*

Obtaining significant breakthrough in the development of anti-flotation technology for China's medium- and low-grade diasporite bauxite.

 

 

Competition

 

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Alumina

 

As the largest producer of alumina in China and the dominant supplier of alumina to the Chinese market, we believe that we will not face significant competition from domestic alumina producers in the immediate future for the following reasons:

 

*

a new producer would need access to a substantial and stable supply of bauxite;

 

 

*

we are experienced in alumina production and our production technologies are specifically adapted to the particular chemical composition of bauxite found in China;

 

 

*

we have strong capacity in technology research and hold certain self-owned technologies and patents;

 

 

*

we have a large number of professionals who have extensive experience in production and management of this area;

 

 

*

we are supported by the state policy.

 

 

The rapid growth of the aluminum industry has caused demand to exceed supply for alumina in China. In 2006, the domestic alumina production in China was approximately 13,700,000 tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 61%, while the national demand in China reached approximately 19,000,000 tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 14.4%. In 2006, approximately 6,910,000 tonnes of alumina was imported into China, a 1.6% decrease compared to 2005. In 2006, our alumina production represented approximately 50% of total national consumption.

 

We believe that we have competitive advantages over our foreign competitors in the China alumina market. As a local supplier situated in close proximity to our customers, we do not incur international transportation and import-related costs and enjoy stable long-term relationships with our customers in a vast and growing market. Our competitive advantages may be reduced if international suppliers of alumina can offer alumina in China at prices below ours. As a result of China's accession to the WTO on December 11, 2001, competition from international suppliers of alumina may increase as tariff and non-tariff barriers for imported alumina are significantly reduced. The standard tariff on imports of alumina into China has been reduced from 18% as of December 31, 2001 to its current level of 3% as of November 1, 2006.

 

Primary Aluminum

 

Domestic Competition

 

Over 90% of our primary aluminum revenue is derived from sales in China. Our competition includes other domestic smelters and international producers that sell primary aluminum into China. In 2006, our primary aluminum production represented approximately 22.3% of total national consumption.

 

There are approximately 100 primary aluminum smelting companies operating in China, which sell substantially all of their products in China. We are the largest integrated alumina and primary aluminum producer in China, and our Guizhou and Qinghai plants operate two of the five largest smelters in China. Our smelters as a total accounted for 20.6% of the domestic primary aluminum production for 2006. Currently, only fourteen smelters in China (including Chalco) have annual production capacities of 200,000 tonnes or more. Most smelters have smaller production capacities. It is the PRC government's industrial policy to consolidate the Chinese primary aluminum industry into an industry that consists of larger, less polluting and more efficient producers. Accordingly, the larger smelters are being granted favorable treatment, including priority in the allocation of raw materials and electricity supplies and prices. These preferential treatments, especially discounts in electricity prices, give large domestic smelters a stronger competitive advantage over small domestic smelters. In addition, since January 1, 2005, the PRC government has prohibited domestic aluminum smelters whose annual production capacity lower than 100,000 tonnes from directly importing alumina to China. We are among a few companies in the PRC that are currently qualified to directly import alumina for our primary aluminum production. As imported alumina will usually be cost-effective, we believe our competitiveness is enhanced as a result.

 

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We face competition from other large domestic smelters. We have several advantages over such competitors, including:

 

*

Scale of production. With thirteen primary aluminum facilities, we can achieve significant economies of scale. In addition, our scale of production enables us to achieve high production volumes in order to fill large customer orders and maintain a large customer base. Through our national distribution network, we are able to make timely deliveries to customers from our local warehouses.

 

 

*

Technology. We believe we employ more sophisticated and efficient technology than most of our domestic competitors. Our Guangxi, Guizhou and Qinghai plants are among the most technologically advanced primary aluminum smelting facilities in China. In addition, our technological support and research and development capabilities are superior to other domestic smelters.

 

 

*

Vertical integration. As the largest integrated alumina and primary aluminum producer in China, we are able to supply alumina internally to our 13 primary aluminum plants. As a result, we save on transportation, warehousing and related costs. In addition, because we operate our own alumina refineries, we are able to assure a stable supply of alumina for our primary aluminum smelting operations. Since 2006, we captured the marketing opportunity and expanded our primary aluminum business by merger and acquisition, and we acquired six primary aluminum plants in 2006, which largely improved our own utilization rate of the alumina we produced and thus strengthened our risk control ability.

 

 

*

Quality. The quality of our primary aluminum compares favorably with the primary aluminum produced by most of our domestic competitors. The primary aluminum produced by most of our smelters has satisfied the quality standards of the London Metal Exchange, or LME, and we are registered for trading on the LME.

 

 

International Competition

 

The current tariff rate for primary aluminum imports is 5%. China had a net export of approximately 549,000 tonnes of primary aluminum in 2006. Competition from international suppliers of alumina and primary aluminum is expected to increase. Such competitors are likely to be large, efficient international companies, which generally have lower production costs than we do. Some competitors may also consider establishing joint venture companies with local producers in China to gain access to the resources in China and to lower transportation costs. However, other PRC governmental policies directed at fostering the growth of larger domestic smelters are likely to be retained, and the PRC government encourage the large domestic smelters to seek the overseas projects.

 

Research and Development

 

Our research and development efforts over the years have helped to expand our production capacity and reduce our unit production costs. We have successfully commercialized our previous research and development results in various technologies. In 2006, we accomplished the development and industrial applications of three key technologies and promoted the applications of eight industrialization projects. We further strengthened the intellectual property management and protection by filing a total of 204 patent applications during the year.

 

As of December 31, 2006, we owned 607 patents. The major registered patents relate primarily to technologies and know-how, equipment and new products. Once registered, a patent in China for a new invention is valid for 20 years and for a new function or a new design is valid for 10 years from the date of the patent application.

 

As of December 31, 2006, we owned 26 trademarks, which are used to identify our businesses and products. The trademarks have a term of 10 years. We have entered into a Trademarks License Agreement with Chinalco for the non-exclusive use by Chinalco of two of our trademarks relating to aluminum fabrication.

 

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Although the PRC has been promulgating and amending its patent, trademark, and license laws to comply with various international agreements, its laws are still evolving. In its current form, Chinese intellectual property law differs from United States intellectual property law in significant ways. For instance, the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC may grant a compulsory license on a patent if it is unable to obtain a license from the patent owner for reasonable terms and within a reasonable time frame. Chinese patent law also provides immunity from damages for an entity that uses or sells a patented product without knowing that it was made or sold without the patentee's permission so long as it proves that the infringing product was obtained from a legitimate source. United States patent law does not offer such provisions. Chinese law also awards patents on a first-to-file system as opposed to the United States' first-to-invent system. Chinese trademark law is similarly based on a first-to-register system as opposed to the United States' first-to-use system.

 

Moreover, the PRC government and its courts have limited experience in enforcing its intellectual property laws. The current PRC patent and trademark laws have only been in effect for approximately 20 years. Courts in China have not reached the same level of experience in enforcing and interpreting intellectual property laws as have the courts in the United States. However, the PRC government has created administrative bureaus to resolve administrative and judicial matters relating to patent and trademark infringement disputes. These administrative bureaus also have the power to order an infringing party to stop and desist from such violations.

 

We do not regard any single patent, license, or trademark to be material to our sales and operations as a whole. We have no material patents, licenses, or trademarks the duration of which cannot, in the judgment of our management, be extended as necessary. We are neither involved in any material intellectual property disputes against us nor are we pursuing any material intellectual property rights against any party.

 

Environmental Protection

 

We are subject to PRC national environmental laws and regulations as well as environmental regulations promulgated by the local governments where we operate. These include regulations on waste discharge, land repair, emissions disposal and mining control. For example, national regulations promulgated by the PRC government set discharge standards for emissions into the air and water. National environmental protection enforcement authorities also promulgate discharge fees for various waste substances. These schedules usually provide for discharge fee increases for each incremental increase of the amount of discharge up to a specified level set by the PRC government or the local government. For any discharge exceeding the specified level, the relevant PRC government agencies may order any of our facilities to rectify certain behavior causing environmental damage, and subject to PRC government approval, the local government has the authority to order any of our facilities to close for failure to comply with existing regulations.

 

Our bauxite mining operations are subject to relevant environmental laws and regulations promulgated by national and local governments, including regulations on waste discharge, land repair, emission management and mining control.

 

The pollutants discharged from our alumina refining process include red mud, waste water and waste emission of gases and dust. Our primary aluminum production process generates fluorides, pitch fume and dust. It is illegal for such waste to be released into the atmosphere without first being processed. Once processed, the amount of pollutants that can be released is subject to national or local discharge limits.

 

Each of our alumina refineries and primary aluminum smelters has its own waste treatment facilities on site or has developed other methods to dispose of the industrial waste. In 2006, our Shandong plant, Henan plant, Shanxi plant, Zhongzhou plant, Guangxi plant, Qinghai plant and Lanzhou Aluminum received awards from local governments for their outstanding performances in environment protection.

 

Our total expenditures for environmental protection was RMB52.4 million, RMB69.8 million and RMB105.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. We have been granted ISO14001:1996 accreditations issued by The International Certification Network on December 31, 2004. We believe that our operations are substantially in compliance with currently applicable national and provincial environmental regulations.

 

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Insurance

 

We currently maintain insurance coverage on our property, plant and equipment, our transportation vehicles and various assets that we consider to be subject to significant operating risks.

 

We paid a total of RMB37.1 million, RMB46.5 million and RMB54.5 million in insurance premiums in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

We are covered under the injury and accidental death insurance provided by the local government labor departments and do not purchase separate insurance policies from commercial insurers with respect to such risks.

 

Consistent with what we believe to be the customary practice in China, we generally do not carry any third party liability insurance to cover claims in respect of personal injury, environmental damage arising from accidents on our property or relating to our operations (other than our automobiles) or business interruption insurance. More extensive insurance is either unavailable in China or would impose a cost on our operations that would reduce our competitiveness with other producers.

 

Seasonality

 

Our business is not seasonal.

 

Regulatory Overview

 

Producers of alumina and primary aluminum are subject to national industrial policies and relevant laws and regulations in areas of environmental protection, import and export, land use, foreign investment regulation and taxation. We are also subject to regulations relating to activities such as mining.

 

We are principally subject to governmental supervision and regulation by two agencies of the PRC government:

 

*

the NDRC, which sets and implements the major policies concerning China's economic and social development policies, approves investments exceeding certain capital expenditure amounts, including approval of Sino-foreign joint venture projects, coordinates economic development of state-owned enterprises and oversees their reform, and formulates industrial policies and investment guidelines for all industries including the aluminum industry; and

 

 

*

the Ministry of Land and Resources, which has the authority to grant land use licenses and mining right permits.

 

 

The following is a brief summary of the principal laws, regulations, policies and administrative directives to which we are subject.

 

Requirements for New Entrants and Other Capital Investments

 

The constructions of new alumina refineries and new primary aluminum smelters require prior approval by the NDRC, the important projects among which shall be approved by the State Council. Any nonferrous metals projects and rare earths mining projects in which the amount of total investment exceeds RMB5,000 million shall be approved by the NDRC and filed with the State Council for record. All other projects shall be filed with the local competent investment authorities for record disregarding the scale of such projects. Moreover, in order to obtain governmental approval for its establishment, a new alumina refinery must have an annual production capacity of at least 500,000 tonnes if it uses the sintering process, 400,000 tonnes if it uses the hybrid Bayer-sintering process or 300,000 tonnes if it uses the Bayer process. All legal and regulatory requirements for new projects and other capital investments in the alumina and aluminum industries apply equally to us. Accordingly, we are required to obtain all necessary governmental approvals for our capital expenditure plans.

 

Any capital markets financing activities, for example, to finance a capital project, are subject to approval by securities regulatory authorities and other relevant authorities in China, regardless of whether the funds are

 

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raised in China or on the international capital markets. An issuer of equity securities or equity-linked securities in the PRC must obtain prior approval from the CSRC. For the issuance of equity or equity-linked overseas securities, the issuer is also required to obtain approval from the NDRC. Offerings of debt, such as debentures, are subject to approval from the People's Bank of China, as well as the NDRC. For all international financing activities through bank borrowing or issuance of debt, the issuer must obtain prior approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and register with it after the completion of the transaction.

 

Foreign investment in the production of alumina and primary aluminum is encouraged by the PRC government subject to various conditions. Wholly foreign-owned companies may conduct bauxite mining operations in the western region of China, but bauxite mining activities in other regions of China may only be conducted jointly with PRC entities in the form of a joint venture.

 

Pricing

 

The PRC government does not impose any limitations with respect to the pricing of alumina, primary aluminum and related products. Thus, alumina and primary aluminum producers are free to set prices for their products. All the raw materials, supplemental materials and other supplies that we purchase are based on market prices, except for electricity, the price of which is described below. Freight transportation on the national railway system is subject to government mandated pricing.

 

Electricity Supply and Price

 

The State Power Supervision Commission is responsible for the supervision and administration of the power industry in China. The NDRC and local governments regulate electricity pricing. Electricity suppliers may not change their electricity prices without governmental authorization.

 

The Electric Power Law and related rules and regulations govern electricity supply and distribution. Currently, China's state-owned power companies, through their respective local subsidiaries, operate all the regional power grids in China from which we obtain most of our electricity requirements.

 

Regulations Concerning Imports and Exports of Alumina and Primary Aluminum

 

Imports of alumina into China are subject to import tariffs. The current standard tariff rate for alumina is 3%. Imports of primary aluminum into China are also subject to import tariffs currently at the rate of 5%. The export tax for primary aluminum is increased to 15% since November 1, 2006. In addition, the alumina business of processing with imported materials has been abandoned by the PRC government with effect from August 22, 2006.

 

Environmental Protection Laws and Regulations

 

The State Environmental Protection Administration of China is responsible for uniform supervision and control of environmental protection in China. It formulates national environmental quality and discharge standards and monitors China's environmental system. Environmental protection bureaus at the county level or above are responsible for environmental protection within their areas of jurisdiction.

 

Environmental regulations require companies to file an environmental impact report with the relevant environmental bureau for approval before undertaking the construction of a new production facility or any major expansion or renovation of an existing production facility. New facilities built pursuant to this approval are not permitted to operate until the relevant environmental bureau has performed an inspection and is satisfied that the facilities are in compliance with environmental standards.

 

The Environmental Protection Law requires any facility that produces pollutants or other hazards to incorporate environmental protection measures in its operations and establish an environmental protection responsibility system. Such system includes adoption of effective measures to control and properly dispose of waste gases, waste water, waste residue, dust or other waste materials. Any entity that discharges pollution must register with the relevant environmental protection authority.

 

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Remedial measures for breaches of the Environmental Protection Law include a warning, payment of damages or imposition of a fine. Any entity undertaking a construction project that fails to install pollution prevention and control facilities in compliance with environmental standards for a construction project may be ordered to suspend production or operations and may be fined. Criminal liability may be imposed for a material violation of environmental laws and regulations that causes loss of property or personal injuries or death.

 

Mineral Resources Laws and Regulations

 

All mineral resources in China are owned by the State under the current Mineral Resources Law. Exploration, exploitation and mining operations must comply with the relevant provisions of the Mineral Resources Law and are under the supervision of the Ministry of Land and Resources. Exploration and exploitation of mineral resources are also subject to examination and approval by the Ministry of Land and Resources and relevant local authorities. Upon approval, a mining permit is issued by the relevant administrative authorities, which are responsible for supervision and inspection of mining exploitation in their jurisdiction. Annual reports are required to be filed by the holders of mining rights with the relevant administrative authorities.

 

The PRC government permits mine operators of collectively owned mines to exploit mineral resources in designated areas and individuals to mine scattered mineral resources. Such mine operators and individuals are subject to government regulation. Mining activities by individuals are restricted. Individuals are not permitted to exploit mineral reserves allocated for exploitation by a mining enterprise or company or protected reserves. Indiscriminate mining that damages mineral resources is prohibited.

 

If mining activities result in damage to arable land, grassland or afforested area, the mining operator must take measures to return the land to an arable state within the prescribed time frame. Any entity or individual which fails to fulfill its remediation obligations may be fined and denied application for land use rights for new land by the relevant land and natural resources authorities.

 

It is unlawful for an entity or individual to conduct mining operations in areas designated for other legal mining operators. A mining operator whose exploitation causes harm to others in terms of production or in terms of living standards is liable for compensation and is required to take necessary remedial measures. When a mine is closed, a mine closure report and information concerning the mining facilities, hidden dangers, remediation and environmental protection must be submitted for examination and approval in accordance with the relevant law.

 

The mineral products illegally extracted and the income derived from such activities may be confiscated and may result in fines, revocation of the mining permit and, in serious circumstances, criminal liability.

 

Tax Laws and Regulation

 

In March 2007, the PRC government promulgated the Corporate Income Tax Law which will be effective from January 1, 2008. The Corporate Income Tax Law will impose a single income tax rate of 25% for both domestic and foreign invested enterprise. The existing Tax Law of the People's Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises (the "FIE and FE tax laws") and Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Enterprise Income Tax (collectively referred to as the "existing tax laws" will be abolished simultaneously. Currently, the Company and its subsidiaries applied the tax rates under existing tax laws. The Corporate Income Tax Law has provided for a 5-year transitional period for those entities that applied FIE and PE tax laws in previous years. As of May 31, 2007, there are still no detailed implementation rulings released.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

 

We are organized as a joint stock limited company under PRC law. As of May 31, 2007, Chinalco, China Cinda, China Construction Bank, China Development Bank, Guangxi Investment, Guizhou Development, Lanzhou Aluminum, Lanzhou Economy and Information Consulting Company and our public shareholders (not including Alcoa) own 40.46%, 6.99%, 5.51%, 4.31%, 1.53%, 1.00%, 0.62%, 0.01% and 32.65%, respectively, of our issued share capital. Alcoa owns approximately 6.86% of our issued share capital.

 

- 43 -

 


 

Shandong Aluminum, a significant subsidiary incorporated in the PRC and located in Shandong Province, in which we held a 71.4% interest, is a joint stock limited company established under PRC law. Its A shares were traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. After A Share issuance on April 30, 2007, we hold 100% of its equity interest, and its A shares were delisted from the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

 

Lanzhou Aluminum, previously our associate company in which we held a 28% equity interest. After the A Shares issuance on April 30, 2007, it became our wholly-owned subsidiary, and its A shares were delisted from the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

 

In 2006, we acquired the following six primary aluminum plants:

 

Shanxi Huasheng, a subsidiary incorporated in the PRC and located in Shanxi Province, in which we hold a 51.0% interest.

 

Fushun Aluminum, a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in the PRC and located in Liaoning Province.

 

Shandong Huayu, a subsidiary incorporated in the PRC and located in Shandong Province, in which we hold a 55.0% interest.

 

Zunyi Aluminum, a subsidiary incorporated in the PRC and located in Guizhou Province, in which we hold a 61.3% interest, is a joint stock limited company established under PRC law.

 

Gansu Hualu, a subsidiary incorporated in the PRC and located in Gansu Province, in which we hold a 51.0% interest.

 

Jiaozuo Wanfang, our associate company incorporated in the PRC and located in the Henan Province, in which we hold a 29% interest, is a joint stock limited company established under the PRC law. Its A shares were listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

Mines

 

The following map sets forth the location of our large-scale, mid-scale and small-scale mines and properties:

 

The following map sets forth details of the area surrounding our largest mine, Pingguo Mine:

 

 

The Guangxi Pingguo plant commenced operations in 1994 and is located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southwestern China. It is our newest alumina and primary aluminum plant. The surrounding infrastructure includes roadways and waterways. As of December 31, 2006, the plant had a production capacity of 850,000 tonnes of alumina per annum.

 

Land

 

Chinalco leases to us 454 pieces or parcels of land, which are located in six provinces, covering an aggregate area of approximately 59.64 million square meters for the purposes of all aspects of our operations and businesses. The leased land consists of:

 

*

439 pieces of allocated land with an area of approximately 59.26 million square meters, for which Chinalco has obtained authorization from the relevant administrative authorities to manage and lease the land use rights; and

 

 

*

16 pieces of land with an area of approximately 371,284.6 square meters for which Chinalco has paid the land premiums and has been granted the land use rights certificates.

 

 

 

The land is leased for the following terms:

 

 

*

allocated land: 50 years commencing from July 1, 2001 (except for land use rights of mines operated by us, the leased term for each shall end on the expiry date of the mining rights or at the end of the actual mine life, whichever is earlier); and

 

 

*

granted land: until expiry of the relevant land use right permits.

 

 

In view of the recent increases in rent of office premises in Beijing, we, at the request of China Aluminum Development Co., Ltd. have agreed to make a prepayment of the annual rent and property management fees of the premises, of which the Company is the tenant, for the remaining two years of the tenancy. The total prepayment amounted to RMB145,314,782 and was paid to China Aluminum Development Co., Ltd. in October 2006. China Aluminum Development Co., Ltd. is the landlord of the Premises and is a connected person of the Company.

 

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Due to the adjustment of land tax in Zhongzhou Plant and Shanxi Plant, and at the request of Chinalco, we bore the increase in land tax of approximately RMB45.18 million of these two branch factories of the Company. The relevant land use rights were leased to the Company pursuant to the Land Use Right Leasing Agreement between our Company and Chinalco dated November 5, 2001.

 

Buildings

 

Our principal executive offices, which we lease from Chinalco, are located at No. 62 North Xizhimen Street, Hai Dian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 100082.

 

Pursuant to the reorganization, Chinalco transferred to us, among other operating assets, ownership of the buildings and properties for the operation of our core businesses, with Chinalco retaining the remaining buildings and properties for Chinalco's remaining operations. The buildings transferred to us comprise 4,631 buildings with an aggregate gross area of approximately 4.2 million square meters.

 

The buildings transferred to us pursuant to the reorganization, which are located on land leased from Chinalco, may be sold or transferred only with the consent of Chinalco and in accordance with applicable land transfer procedures. Chinalco has undertaken to provide its consent and the necessary assistance to affect land grant procedures to ensure that our buildings can be legally transferred or sold.

 

We and Chinalco also lease to each other a number of other buildings and properties for ancillary uses, which comprise mainly buildings for offices, dormitory, canteen and storage purposes. We lease 59 buildings to Chinalco, with an aggregate gross area of approximately 62,819 square meters. Chinalco leases 100 buildings to us, with an aggregate gross area of approximately 265,388 square meters. The leased terms of all these buildings are 20 years commencing from July 1, 2001. Chinalco has obtained proper land and building title certificates for all of the buildings it leases to us by the end of 2004. We also leased from China Aluminum Development Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinalco, 30,160.81 square meters of office space for a term of three years commencing from March 28, 2005 for a consideration of RMB61.46 million per annum. See "Item 7 - Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions - Related Party Transactions - Tenancy Agreement".

 

For environmental issues in relation to the utilization of our assets, please refer to "Item 4. Environmental Protection".

 

Our Expansion

 

Our capital expansion plan for 2007 requires a total of RMB16,600 million in capital expenditures for technology upgrading and several acquisition projects to increase our annual production capacity. In 2007, our annual production capacity of alumina and primary aluminum are expected to increase 930,000 tonnes and 508,000 tonnes, respectively (not including acquisition project). For more information, see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospectus - Capital Expenditure Plan".

 

The following table shows the expected aggregate effects of our expansion and improvement plans for our alumina and primary aluminum production facilities for 2007:

 

 

 

Production

Expected Production

 

Planned Capital

Capacity as of

Capacity as of

 

Investment for 2007

  December 31, 2006

December 31, 2007

 




 

 

 

 

 

(RMB in millions)

(in thousand tonnes)

 

 

 

Alumina

10,100

9,007

9,937

Primary aluminum

6,500

2,481(1)

2,989(1)

 

 

 

 

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(1)

Includes 16,600 tonnes of production capacity and 428,000 tonnes of expected production capacity of Lanzhou Aluminum, which was our associated company owned as to 28% of its equity as of December 31, 2006, and 272,000 tonnes of production capacity and 412,000 tonnes of expected production capacity of Jiaozuo Wanfang, which is our associated company owned as to 29% of its equity interest. Production capacity presented above represents 100% of Lanzhou Aluminum and Jiaozuo Wanfang's smelting capacity. The results of operations of Lanzhou Aluminum and Jiaozuo Wanfang are not consolidated into our financial statements. See Note 11(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Capital expenditures are expected to further expand our alumina and primary aluminum production capacities to further enhance synergies arising from economy of scale, vertical integration and reduction of our unit production cost.

 

During 2006, we entered into six primary aluminum cooperation agreements which led to an increase of 969,000 tonnes of production capacity of primary aluminum, and one letter of intent which led to an increase of 120,000 tonnes of production capacity of primary aluminum.

 

1.

Jiaozuo Wanfang. On May 19, 2006, we entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Jiaozuo Wanfang Group to acquire 29% of the issued share capital, or 139,251,064 State-owned legal person shares held by Jiaozuo Wanfang Group in the issued share capital of Jiaozuo Wanfang, which has a designed annual production capacity of 272,000 tonnes of primary aluminum. The operation output was 70,000 tonnes from the date of the acquisition to the end of 2006.

 

 

2

Shanxi Huasheng. On December 6, 2005, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Shanxi Guanlv Co., Ltd. to establish a joint venture company, Shanxi Huasheng Aluminum Company Ltd, in which we hold a 51% equity interest. Our total commitment under the agreement amounts to RMB510 million. The joint venture company commenced operations in March 2006, with a designed annual production capacity of primary aluminum of approximately 220,000 tonnes. The production output of Shanxi Huasheng was 115,000 tonnes from the date of the acquisition to the end of 2006.

 

 

3

Zunyi Aluminum. In June 2006, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. and eight other companies who are the shareholders of Zunyi Aluminum to purchase part of the equity interest from Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. and all the equity interest from the other eight companies. We have completed our purchase and hold 61.3% of the equity interest in Zunyi Aluminum. Zunyi Aluminum had a designed annual production capacity of aluminum of 110,000 tonnes. The production output of aluminum was 43,000 tonnes from the date of the acquisition to December 31, 2006.

 

 

4

Fushun Aluminum. In March 2006, we entered into a share transfer agreement with Liaoning Fushun Aluminum Plant to acquire the 100% equity interest held by it in Fushun Aluminum, with a designed annual production capacity of 140,000 tonnes. The production output of Fushun Aluminum was 100,000 tonnes from the date of the acquisition to the end of 2006.

 

 

5

Shandong Huayu. In July 2006, we entered into a share transfer agreement with Shandong Huasheng Jiangquan Group to acquire a 55% equity interest in Shandong Huayu, a subsidiary of Shandong Huasheng Jiangquan Group. Shandong Huayu has a designed annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of primary aluminum, and also has other supporting facilities and two 135MW coal-fired generators. The production output of Shandong Huayu was 45,000 tonnes from the date of the acquisition to the end of 2006.

 

 

6

Gansu Hualu. In August 2006, we entered into a share transfer agreement with Baiyin Nonferrous Metal (Group) Co., Ltd., or Baiyin Nonferrous, and Baiyin Ibis Aluminum Co., Ltd., or Baiyin Ibis. Under the agreement, Baiyin Nonferrous is to contribute 127,000 tonnes of primary aluminum smelting and supporting facilities owned by Baiyin Ibis as capital contribution and hold

 

 

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a 49% equity interest in Gansu Hualu, a subsidiary of Baiyin Ibis, and we are to hold a 51% equity interest in Gansu Hualu. The joint venture will have a designed annual production capacity of 127,000 tonnes of primary aluminum. The production output of Gansu Hualu was 46,000 tonnes from the date of the acquisition to the end of 2006.

 

 

7

Guangyuan Venus Aluminum. On May 29, 2006, we entered into a letter of intent with Guangyuan city government and Sichuan Guangyuan Venus Aluminum to promote the joint operation of aluminum and electricity. Under the letter of intent, we are to hold 26% of the equity interest of Guangyuan Venus Aluminum, which has a designed annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes of primary aluminum.

 

 

In the area of alumina production, Zhongzhou plant had an increased production capacity of 210,000 tonnes following the completion of a project involving the upgrade of the sintering process as well as a project involving alumina concentration with added bauxite after digestion of the ore-dressing Bayer process. Shandong plant has an increased production capacity of 450,000 tonnes following the completion of a project involving the upgrade of the sintering process as well as a project involving expansion of the Bayer technology.

 

In 2007, we will continue the expansion and restructuring of our primary aluminum and alumina projects, the majority of which are included as follows:

 

*

Lanzhou Aluminum project. Upon the completion of this project, the primary aluminum production capacity will be 280,000 tonnes.

 

 

*

Fushun Aluminum restructuring project. Upon the completion of this project, the primary aluminum production capacity will be increased by 100,000 tonnes.

 

 

*

Jiaozuo Wanfang second-phase project of aluminum alloy. Upon the completion of this project, the primary aluminum production capacity will be increased by 140,000 tonnes.

 

 

*

Guangxi Alumina third-phase project of 800,000 tonnes. Such project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2008.

 

 

*

Chongqing and Zunyi Alumina projects of 800,000 tonnes each. Both of the projects are expected to be completed in June 2009.

 

 

*

Qingdao secondary aluminum alloy project. Such project is expected to be completed at the end of 2007.

 

 

*

Guangxi Huayin primary aluminum project of 1,600,000 tonnes. Such project is expected to be completed at the end of 2007.

 

 

We intend to fund these capital expenditures through a combination of internal funds derived from our own operations, the proceeds from the placement of H Shares and bank financing.

 

The preceding paragraphs provide a summary of our current capital expenditure plans for our major projects. These plans have been developed based on facts currently known to us, assumptions we believe to be reasonable and our estimates of market and other conditions. They may change as circumstances change, and may be modified as our business plans evolve. Other than as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publish updates of our plans or their implementation status.

 

ITEM 5.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements, and selected historical financial data, in each case together with the accompanying notes, included elsewhere in this annual report. This section contains certain expressions such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "seek", "estimate", "intends", "should", "may" or other terms or phrases which are forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. See "Item 3 Key Information Risk Factors". Forward-looking

 

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statements are not guarantees of our future performance or results and our actual results could materially differ from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements.

 

We have changed certain of our accounting policies following the adoption of HKFRS effective for accounting periods commencing on or after January 1, 2005. As a result, we have reclassified/restated certain income statement and balance sheet data for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Our audited financial statements are prepared in accordance with HKFRS which differs in certain material respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 35 to our audited consolidated financial statements provides a reconciliation of our financial statements to U.S. GAAP in accordance with Item 18 of Form 20-F.

 

The Reorganization

 

Prior to the reorganization conducted in preparation for the global offering, we did not exist as a separate legal entity. Our operations were conducted by Chinalco and its predecessors. As part of the reorganization, Chinalco transferred to us assets and liabilities related to seven alumina and primary aluminum production plants and our Research Institute. Because Chinalco controlled these operations prior to the reorganization and still controls us, accordingly, in those financial statements, the assets and liabilities transferred to us have been stated at historical amounts and the results of our operations have been presented as if our operations had already been transferred to us from Chinalco. In addition, those financial statements also reflect the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of operations retained by Chinalco in the reorganization, including one bauxite mine, two limestone quarries and a carbon plant, which were directly related to our alumina and primary aluminum operations. Because of the asset reorganization and the related carve-out accounting, those financial statements reflect various historical payments as distributions to Chinalco that are not expected to be indicative of future practices or results.

 

Since July 1, 2001, our financial statements as included in this annual report have been prepared using the purchase accounting method having given effect to our incorporation and the reorganization. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities transferred to us have been restated at fair value and the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of operation retained by Chinalco are not reflected. Since July 1, 2001, all transactions have been recorded at government guidance price, market price or at contractual price (cost plus a margin).

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We have identified a number of accounting policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. Some of our accounting policies require our management to make significant judgments relating to estimates and assumptions about the effects of circumstances to reported amounts in our financial statements. We have established procedures and processes to facilitate the making of such judgments in the preparation of our financial statements. See Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the impact of such accounting policies and any associated risks relating to these policies on our results of operations. Our management has identified areas of uncertainty and the variables most important in making the necessary estimates. Management has used the best information available but actual performance may differ from our management's estimates and future changes in key variables could change future reported amounts in our financial statements.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

The carrying amounts of long-lived assets are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the book value of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment exists when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is measured at the higher of net selling price or value in use, calculated based on discounted future pre-tax cash flows related to the asset or the cash generating unit to which the assets belong. A cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or group of assets. Estimates of future cash flows include the cash inflows from continuing use of the asset and cash outflows to prepare the asset for use that can be directly attributed, or allocated on a reasonable and consistent basis, to the asset. If applicable, estimates also include net cash flows to be received (or paid) for the disposal of the asset at the end of its useful life. We determine the estimated useful lives of our property, plants and equipment based on the historical experience of the actual useful lives of property, plant and equipment of similar nature and functions. Management will increase the depreciation

 

- 48 -

 


 

charge where useful lives are less than previously estimated lives, and will write-off or write-down technically obsolete or non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold. Management made a number of significant assumptions and estimates in the application of the discounted future cash flow model to forecast operating cash flows, including business prospects, market conditions, selling prices and sales volume of products, costs of production and funding sources. If there is an indication of impairment, the carrying value of such assets is written down to its recoverable amount. Results in actual transactions could differ from those estimates used to evaluate the impairment of such long-lived assets.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase consideration over the fair values ascribed to the separable net assets of entities acquired. Until December 31, 2004, under HK GAAP, goodwill resulting from acquisitions under purchase accounting was recognized as an intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful economic life of not more than 20 years. In accordance with the provisions of HKFRS 3 effective from January 1, 2005, the Company has ceased amortization of goodwill. Separately recognized goodwill is tested annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. Under U.S. GAAP, annual amortization of this amount ceased effective from January 1, 2002. Goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing and is written down if carrying value exceeds fair value. Management made a number of significant assumptions and estimates in the application of the discounted future cash flow model to forecast operating cash flows, including business prospects, market conditions, selling prices and sales volumes of products, costs of production and funding sources. Management considers both past data and all currently available information at the time the valuations of its businesses are performed. Results in actual transactions could differ from those estimates used to evaluate the impairment of goodwill.

 

Income tax

 

We are subject to enterprise income tax liabilities in the local jurisdictions within the PRC in which we operate. Due to uncertainties relating to the enforcement and interpretation of PRC tax laws as well as the lack of confirmation by the local tax authorities, our management have made certain estimates and judgments based on current PRC tax laws, regulations and other related policies in determining whether a provision of enterprise income taxes should be made or the amount of provision which should be made. If the management's estimates or judgments differ from the interpretation or enforcement by the central or local tax authorities, the income tax provision may vary in future periods.

 

Net realizable value of inventories

 

Net realizable value of inventories is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and selling expenses. In calculating the net realizable value of inventories, management must make a number of significant estimates of the selling price of inventories and related transaction costs in the ordinary course of business based on market conditions and the historical experience of manufacturing and selling products of similar nature, which are reviewed on each balance sheet date. Management's estimates of the selling price of inventories and related transaction costs in the ordinary course of business may differ from the actual selling price of inventories and related transaction costs in the ordinary course of business.

 

Provisions for Accounts and Other Receivables

 

Provision is made against accounts and other receivables when future collections are considered doubtful. In assessing the timing and amounts for these provisions, management must make a number of significant assumptions and estimates in the application of aging and specific identification analysis using past history and collections' experience, market conditions, potential events and circumstances affecting future collections and the credit status of specific customers, which are reviewed on each balance sheet date. Management's assessment of future collections of receivables may differ from the timing and amounts of the actual collections in future periods.

 

- 49 -

 


 

U.S. GAAP Reconciliation

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with HKFRS, which differs in various material respects from U.S. GAAP. See Note 35 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The summary of differences involve management's estimates and assumptions which may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure regarding contingent assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses.

 

New/Revised Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards and Hong Kong Accounting Standards

 

The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or HKICPA, has issued a number of new/revised Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards, or HKFRS, which are effective for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2005. We have adopted these new/revised HKFRS in the financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and reclassified/restated certain income statement data in accordance with the relevant requirements for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

 

Overview

 

We are the largest producer of alumina and one of the largest producers of primary aluminum in China. We are also the second largest producer of alumina in the world in terms of production volume for the year ended December 31, 2006. We are engaged primarily in alumina refining and primary aluminum smelting operations. We report our financial results according to the following business segments:

 

*

Alumina segment, which consists of mining and purchasing bauxite and other raw materials, refining bauxite into alumina, and selling alumina both internally to our primary aluminum smelters and externally to customers outside of our Company. To a lesser extent, this segment also includes the production and sale of alumina chemical products and gallium.

 

 

*

Primary aluminum segment, which consists of procuring alumina and other raw materials (including recycled aluminum), supplemental materials and electricity, smelting alumina to produce primary aluminum, and selling substantially all our primary aluminum products to external customers. To a lesser extent, this segment includes production and sales of carbon products.

 

 

*

Corporate and other services segment, which includes our headquarters' operations, research conducted by our research institutes and provision of our research and development services to third parties.

 

 

Factors Affecting Our Operating Performances

 

Our operating performances and the period-to-period comparability of our financial results are affected by a number of external factors. Our financial statements may not be indicative of our future earnings, cash flows or financial position for numerous reasons including those described below.

 

Alumina Prices

 

We sell our alumina products by way of spot sales or under long-term contracts. Pricing for our alumina products is determined by the nature of the sale as described below.

 

Spot sales. We set uniform prices for all our external sales of alumina by reference to import costs of alumina, the market supply and demand conditions as well as our short-term and mid-term projections. Our pricing generally takes into account:

 

*

free-on-board Australia prices for alumina exports into China;

 

 

*

international transportation costs;

 

 

*

the applicable standard PRC import tariff;

 

 

*

value-added tax at 17%;

 

 

- 50 -

 


 

*

import related fees; and

 

 

*

domestic demand and supply conditions.

 

 

The international market price for alumina fluctuates from time to time, and such fluctuation affects the price of our alumina, which tracks changes in the international market prices. In 2006, the market price of alumina made a historic record. The highest spot price of alumina in the international market supplied to China reached US$650 per tonne in June 2006. Affected by the rapid expansion in the PRC's new alumina production capacity and output, the international spot price began to weaken from August and bottomed at approximately US$200 per tonne in November, representing a significant decrease of 69.0% from the peak. The annual average price of alumina reached US$445 per tonne, still representing a year-on-year increase of 20.3%. The highest and lowest spot price of domestic alumina was RMB6,500 per tonne and RMB2,300 per tonne respectively. The yearly average selling price of our alumina was RMB4,107 per tonne, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.4%. The global output of alumina for 2006 was approximately 68.58 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 12.0%. The global alumina consumption continued its fast momentum to approximately 66.40 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.4%. Due to the significant expansion of the PRC's new alumina production capacity, domestic supply of alumina in 2006 increased, thereby relieving procurement pressure of the international spot market. Domestic output of alumina reached approximately 13.70 million tonnes, representing a stable growth of 61.0% over 2005, while its demand reached approximately 19 million tonnes, representing a further year-on-year increase of 14.3%. In 2006, the imported alumina amounted to approximately 6.91 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year decrease of 1.6%.

 

Long-term contracts sales. Internationally, the customary practice for alumina pricing under long-term contracts is by reference to the LME prices for primary aluminum. Since 2001, we have entered into a number of domestic long-term alumina sales contracts with three-year terms, under which the sales price is set as a percentage of the three-month primary aluminum prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange. As a result, fluctuations of primary aluminum prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange can affect our alumina prices under these long-term contracts, and such effects may increase as we increase the proportion of alumina sales under long-term contracts. We sold approximately 2,840,000 tonnes of alumina under long-term contracts in 2006.

 

Primary Aluminum Prices

 

Like most primary aluminum producers in China, we price our primary aluminum products by reference to Shanghai Futures Exchange spot prices. The Shanghai Futures Exchange primary aluminum spot prices generally reflect LME primary aluminum spot prices, plus an amount on account of international transportation, import tariffs, value-added tax and other import-related costs. Thus, fluctuations in the Shanghai Futures Exchange (and, by extension, the LME) spot prices affect our operating performances. Primary aluminum prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange and LME tend to be cyclical and volatile. The following table sets out the average three-month primary aluminum futures price on LME and the Shanghai Futures Exchange in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 




 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. Dollar per tonne)

 

 

LME

1,723.0

1,900.0

2,591.0

Shanghai Futures Exchange

1,695.0

1,782.0

2,207.0

 

 

 

 

Year 2006 saw a steady and rapid economic growth in the US, Europe, Japan and other western economies.

 

- 51 -

 


 

As driven by the continual growth of funds, consumption demand and energy shortage, the international aluminum price has stayed at a high level. In 2006, the lowest price of three-month primary aluminum futures on LME was approximately US$2,220 per tonne, the highest price was US$3,310 per tonne and the average price was US$2,591 per tonne, a year-on-year increase of 36.4%. In the PRC, despite the further increasing of aluminum export tax to 15% on November 1, 2006, the aluminum price in the PRC market maintained at a high level due to the hiking aluminum price in the international market and the booming aluminum consumption from the robust PRC national economy. The highest, lowest and average price of three-month aluminum futures on the Shanghai Futures Exchange ("SHFE") was RMB24,520 per tonne, RMB18,130 per tonne and RMB20,136 per tonne, respectively.

 

The global output of primary aluminum for 2006 was approximately 33.97 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.4%. The PRC's primary aluminum output continued a rapid growth to approximately 9.35 million tonnes, representing an increase of 19.7% over 2005. The global aluminum consumption was 34.33 million tonnes, representing an increase of 7.7% over 2005. The rapid growth of the PRC's economy boosted the fast growth of aluminum consumption in a wide range of industries including construction, transportation, packaging, aviation and aerospace. Accordingly, domestic aluminum consumption for 2006 was approximately 8.67 million tonnes, representing an increase of 22.6% over 2005.

 

Electricity Prices

 

The smelting of primary aluminum requires a substantial and continuous supply of electricity. Therefore, the availability and price of electricity are key considerations in our primary aluminum production operations. Interruptions of electricity supply can result in lengthy production shutdowns, increased costs associated with restarting production and waste of production in progress. In extreme cases, interruptions of electricity supply can also cause damage to or destruction of the equipment and facilities. We encountered severe shortages of electric power supply between 2004 and 2005 and shortages were gradually relieved in 2006. The electricity accounted for approximately 30% of our unit primary aluminum production costs in 2006, a slight decrease compared to 2005. Currently, all of our production facilities enjoy preferential electricity prices granted by local government authorities.

 

Debt and Financing Costs

 

Our financing costs consist predominantly of interest expenses on our borrowings. The majority of our debt has been incurred to fund our capital expenditures. Interest rates on loans related to capital expenditures and working capital set by banks generally follow guidelines issued by the People's Bank of China. The People's Bank of China increased interest rates for commercial loans chargeable by state-owned banks in 2005 and 2006, which correspondingly increased our interest expense on our floating rate loans during these periods.

 

Consolidated Operating Performances

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain income and expense items as a percentage of our revenue from our consolidated statements of income:

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 


 

2004

2005

2006

 

(restated(1) )

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

Revenue

100.0%

100.0%

100%

Cost of sales

67.0

67.5

67.7

 




 

 

 

 

- 52 -

 


 

Gross profit

33.0

32.5

32.3

Other (income) and other (gains)/losses, net

0.1

0.3

0.9

Selling and distribution expenses

2.0

1.9

1.5

General and administrative expenses

3.7

3.9

3.4

Research and development expenses

0.4

0.3

0.2

 




 

 

 

 

Operating profit

27.0

26.7

28.1

Finance costs

0.3

1.0

1.1

 




 

 

 

 

Operating profit after finance costs

26.7

25.7

27.0

 




 

 

 

 

(1)

Restatement of the financial information for the year ended December 31, 2004 has been made pursuant to the adoption of the new/revised standards and interpretation of HKFRSs on January 1, 2005.

 

 

Sales to Chinalco and its subsidiaries, jointly-controlled entities and other related parties accounted for approximately 10.2% and 9.1% of consolidated revenue for the two years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. For information on related party transactions, see "Item 7 - Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions - Related Party Transactions" and Note 34 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

Results of Operations

 

Our net profit attributable to our equity holders amounted to RMB11,745 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, representing a year-on-year increase of RMB4,723 million and an increase by 67.26% from the previous year's net profit attributable to our equity holders of RMB7,022 million.

 

Revenue

 

Our total revenue increased by RMB24,070 million from RMB37,826 million for the year 2005 to RMB61,896 million for the year 2006, representing an increase of 63.63%. The increase was primarily due to the increase in sales volume and selling prices of our principal products, alumina and primary aluminum. Our external sales volume of primary aluminum reached 1,823,100 tonnes, representing an increase of 918,100 tonnes or 101.44% from 905,000 tonnes of 2005. The growth was primarily attributable to the increase of production volume of primary aluminum resulting from commencement of production of the

 

- 53 -

 


 

aluminum production line of Guizhou branch and the aluminum project of Shanxi-Huaze, acquisition and establishment of subsidiaries, improvement and technological renovation of other production lines and the increase in trade sales. The increase of sales volume of primary aluminum contributed to an increase of RMB13,213 million in sales.

 

The external sales volume of alumina increased from 6,420,400 tonnes in 2005 (inclusive of trade volumes of 1,055,400 tonnes) to 6,799,400 tonnes in 2006 (inclusive of trade volumes of 1,183,700 tonnes), representing an increase of 379,000 tonnes or 5.9%. The increase was mainly attributable to the increase in output from the overall operation of the 800,000 tonnes alumina phase III production line in Shanxi, and the 700,000 tonnes alumina production line in Henan during 2006. The increase of the external sales volume of alumina contributed to an increase of RMB1,266 million in revenue.

 

In 2006, due to the effect of the increase in the market price of primary aluminum, our average external selling price of primary aluminum products reached RMB17,492 per tonne (excluding tax, hereinafter), representing an increase of RMB3,100 per tonne or 21.5% from RMB14,392 per tonne in 2005, which contributed to an increase of RMB5,652 million in revenue.

 

In 2006, our average external selling price of alumina products reached RMB3,609 per tonne, representing an increase of RMB268 per tonne (or 8.02%) from RMB3,341 per tonne in 2005, which contributed to an increase of RMB1,830 million in revenue.

 

In 2006, the sales of alumina chemicals and other products increased by approximately RMB2 billion from 2005.

 

Cost of Sales

 

Our total cost of sales increased by RMB16,351 million or 64.00% from RMB25,543 million in 2005 to RMB41,894 million in 2006. The increase was mainly attributable to the growth in external sales volume and the increased unit cost of sales of alumina.

 

Selling and Distribution Expenses

 

Our selling and distribution expenses increased by RMB238 million from RMB720 million in 2005 to RMB958 million in 2006, representing an increase of 33.05%, which was primarily attributable to the increase in transportation fee, loading fee and packing fee due to the growth of sales volume of primary aluminum.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses increased by RMB603 million from RMB1,490 million in 2005 to RMB2,093 million in 2006, representing an increase of 40.46%. The increase was mainly attributable to the increase in expenses of approximately RMB344 million as a result of acquisitions and the establishment of subsidiaries. The related tax charges other than income tax imposed by the PRC tax authorities increased by RMB215 million due to the expanded business generating taxable transactions. The continued efforts to strengthen our internal control system and information system increased the expenses by approximately RMB44 million.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Our expenditure for research and development slightly increased by RMB1 million from RMB113 million in 2005 to RMB114 million in 2006.

 

Other (Income) and Other (Gains)/Losses, Net

 

Net other income in 2006 was RMB565 million, an increase of RMB444 million or 366.94% from a gain of RMB121 million in 2005. This was attributable to the fact that we hedged some of the primary aluminum contracts in the futures market, resulting in an increase of RMB81 million in other income. The increase of RMB236 million was mainly due to the recognition of excess of interest in the net fair value of net assets acquired over cost of acquisitions of businesses completed during the year.

 

- 54 -

 


 

Operating Profit

 

As a result of the foregoing, our operating profit increased by RMB7,321 million from RMB10,081 million in 2005 to RMB17,402 million in 2006, representing an increase of 72.62%. Our operating profit as a percentage of sales of goods was 26.65% in 2005 and 28.11% in 2006.

 

Finance Costs

 

Our finance costs increased by RMB349 million or 95% from RMB367 million in 2005 to RMB716 million in 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to the fact that interest expense began to be recorded on borrowings related to the following projects upon commencement of production: Shanxi Huaze's aluminum smelting and power project, Shanxi alumina project of 800,000 tonnes and Henan alumina project of 700,000 tonnes. This led to an increase of RMB243 million in interest expenses, and finance costs of RMB158 million contributed by the entities acquired during the year and exchange losses.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our income tax expense increased by RMB1,899 million or 76.11% from RMB2,495 million in 2005 to RMB4,394 million in 2006. The increase was mainly attributable to our increased profit. In 2006, our average tax rate was 26.18%, which was slightly higher than the average tax rate of 25.61% in 2005. Our income tax rate is lower than the statutory tax rate of 33.0%. This is mainly because of the preferential tax rate of 15% for our three branches in Guizhou, Guangxi and Qinghai and Zunyi Aluminum Company Limited, an acquired subsidiary, all of which are located in the western region of the PRC.

 

Minority Interest

 

Minority interest increased by RMB418 million from RMB224 million in 2005 to RMB642 million in 2006, primarily due to the increase in the minority interest as a result of the acquisition of subsidiaries and establishment of joint ventures, and the increase in profits of our subsidiaries.

 

Net Profit for the Year Attributable to Equity Holders of the Company

 

As a result of the foregoing, our net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company increased by RMB4,723 million, an increase of 67.26% from RMB7,022 million in 2005 to RMB11,745 million in 2006.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

Revenue

 

Revenue from sales of alumina and primary aluminum increased by 14.9% from RMB32,313.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 to RMB37,110.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, representing an increase of RMB4,797.2 million. The increase was primarily due to the increase in selling prices of our alumina and primary aluminum, and a growth in external sales volume of such products. Other revenues after deduction of related expenses increased by 10.8% from RMB646.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 to RMB716.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, representing an increase of RMB69.9 million. The increase was primarily due to the provision of transportation, machinery processing and production design services.

 

For 2005, our average external selling price for alumina reached RMB3,268.3 per tonne (tax excluded, similarly hereinafter), representing an increase of RMB38.7 per tonne or 1.2% from RMB3,229.7 per tonne for the previous year. Our average external selling price for primary aluminum reached RMB14,264.0 per tonne, representing an increase of RMB507.7 per tonne or 3.7% from RMB13,756.3 per tonne for the previous year. Our external sales volume of alumina increased by 10.2% from 4,900,000 tonnes for the year ended December 31, 2004 to 5,400,000 tonnes for the year ended December 31, 2005 due to commencement of operations of our alumina production facilities in Shanxi, Henan and Zhongzhou in 2005. Our external sales volume of primary aluminum increased by 19.0% from 760,600 tonnes for the year ended December 31, 2004 to 905,000 tonnes for the year ended December 31, 2005, of which approximately 67,600 tonnes was attributable to the technological upgrade of our Qinghai smelter, approximately 33,800 tonnes was

 

- 55 -

 


 

attributable to the commencement of operation of Shanxi Huaze and approximately 43,000 tonnes was attributable to the technological upgrade of our existing primary aluminum production facilities.

 

Cost of Sales

 

Our total cost of sales increased by 15.6% from RMB22,095.9 million in 2004 to RMB25,542.6 million in 2005. The increase was mainly attributable to a growth in external sales volume of alumina and primary aluminum, which contributed to 10.2% of the increase in cost of sales, as well as increases in raw material and fuel prices.

 

Selling and Distribution Expenses

 

Our selling and distribution expenses increased by RMB48.2 million from RMB672.3 million in 2004 to RMB720.5 million in 2005, or 7.2%. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in transportation and loading expenses resulted from the increase in external sales volume of primary aluminum.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses increased by 24.5% from RMB1,196.1 million in 2004 to RMB1,489.5 million in 2005. The increase was mainly due to (i) an increase of RMB128.0 million resulting from start-up costs due to the commencement of operations of Shanxi Huaze and newly established branch offices; (ii) an increase of RMB56.0 million in tax expenses other than income tax corresponding with our business expansion; (iii) an increase of RMB45.0 million in rental for new office space; (iv) an increase of RMB34.0 million in establishment of internal control system and installation of enterprise resource planning system; and (v) an increase of RMB10.0 million in insurance premiums on coverage of new production facilities.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Our research and development expenses decreased by 14.5% from RMB132.6 million in 2004 to RMB113.4 million in 2005. The decrease was due to the decrease in expenses occurred in the research and development projects carried out in 2005.

 

Other (Income) and Other (Gains)/Losses, Net

 

Net other income increased from RMB47.7 million in 2004 to RMB120.7 million in 2005 due to the gain of RMB5.8 million in 2005 made by our subsidiary, China Aluminum International Trading Co., Ltd., from futures contracts of primary aluminum compared to a loss of RMB25.5 million in 2004.

 

Operating Profit

 

Our operating profit increased by 13.1% from RMB8,910.1 million in 2004 to RMB10,081.2 million in 2005. Our operating profit as a percentage of revenue decreased from 27.6% in 2004 to 27.2% in 2005.

 

Finance Costs

 

Our finance costs increased by RMB257.0 million, or 233.8%, from RMB109.9 million in 2004 to RMB366.9 million in 2005. The increase of RMB257.0 million was a result of RMB283.0 million of interest expense incurred by increased borrowings for newly commenced projects, which was partially offset by RMB26.0 million of foreign exchange gains derived from foreign currency loans due to Renminbi appreciation. In particular, the increase of RMB189.0 million was attributable to the increase in long-term borrowings, RMB41.0 million was attributable to the increase in interest rates and RMB28.0 million was attributable to finance cost incurred to fund newly commenced projects and interest payable on our short-term bonds. The increase in interest expense was partially offset by the decrease of interest expense resulting from repayment of certain short-term borrowings.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our income tax expense increased from RMB2,161.1 million in 2004 to RMB2,495.2 million in 2005, which was mainly attributable to our increased profit before tax. Our effective income tax rate was 25.6% in 2005, which was lower than the statutory tax rate of 33.0%. This was mainly because our three branches situated in

 

- 56 -

 


 

Guizhou Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province in the western region of the PRC were entitled to a preferential income tax rate of 15.0% in connection with the national policy to develop the western region. In addition, some of our plants benefit from tax credits in connection with the investment in the equipment made in China. Such tax credit resulted in tax reduction of approximately RMB73.9 million in 2005. See Note 28(c) to our audited financial statements.

 

Minority Interest

 

Minority interest decreased from RMB243.5 million in 2004 to RMB224.0 million in 2005 primarily as a result of the loss of RMB42 million incurred by Shanxi Huaze during its start-up operation period to achieve expected production standard.

 

Net profit for the Year Attributable to the Equity Holders of the Company

 

As a result of the foregoing, our net income attributable to the equity holders of the Company for 2005 increased by 9.9% from RMB6,391.5 million in 2004 to RMB7,022.4 million in 2005.

 

Discussion of Segment Operations

 

We account for our operations on a segmental basis, that is, separately accounting for the alumina and primary aluminum segments as well as the corporate and other services segment. Unless otherwise indicated, also included in these segments are other revenues derived from such activities as supplying electricity, gas, heat and water to affiliates, selling scrap and other materials, and providing services including transportation and research and development to third parties. Interest income and dividends from unlisted securities investments, included in other revenues, are not attributed to any segments. For additional data and information relating to our business segments and segment presentation, see Note 20 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

The following table sets forth (i) revenue by segment for the periods indicated, and (ii) the contribution of external sales and inter-segment sales for 2006 as a percentage of revenue for such period, both before and after elimination of inter-segment sales.

 

 

 

After

 

 

Elimination of

 

 

Inter-segment

 

Before Elimination of Inter-segment Sales

Sales

 



 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2004

2005

2006

2006

2006

 






 

RMB

RMB

RMB

%

%

 






 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alumina:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External sales

20,497.5

22,853.8

27,008.7

37.7

44.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 57 -

 


 

Inter-segment sales

4,226.2

5,191.7

10,603.4

14.8

-

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

24,723.7

28,045.5

37,612.1

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary aluminum:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External sales

11,720.4

14,128.5

33,256.8

46.4

54.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External sales

95.1

128.0

749.6

1.1

1.2

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenue before inter-segment eliminations

36,539.2

42,302.0

71,618.5

100

 

Eliminations of inter-segment sales

(4,226.2)

(5,191.7)

(10,603.4)

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated total sales

32,313.0

37,110.3

61,015.1

 

100

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, revenue, costs of sales, other costs net of other revenues and other income, and operating income (loss) by segment before and after elimination of inter-segment transactions.

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 


 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

 

- 58 -

 


 

 




 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 




 

(in millions)

 

 

Alumina:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

24,723.7

28,045.5

37,612.1

Total operating expenses

(15,390.3)

(17,733.3)

(24,270.2)

 




 

 

 

 

Operating profit

9,333.4

10,312.2

13,341.9

 

 

 

 

Primary aluminum:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

11,720.4

14,128.5

33,256.8

Total operating expenses

(11,764.3)

(13,896.6)

(28,780.7)

 




 

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss)

(43.9)

231.9

4,476.1

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

95.2

128.0

749.7

Total operating expenses

(172.1)

(176.5)

(804.2)

 




 

 

 

 

Operating loss

(76.9)

(48.5)

(54.5)

 

 

 

 

Segment operating income before unallocated operating loss and inter-segment elimination

9,212.6

10,495.6

17,763.5

 

 

 

 

- 59 -

 


 

Unallocated operating loss

(281.4)

(306.4)

(198.8)

Inter-segment elimination

(21.1)

(108.0)

(162.5)

 




 

 

 

 

Total operating income

8,910.1

10,081.2

17,402.2

 




 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

Alumina Segment

 

Revenue. Our total revenue of the alumina segment increased by RMB9,566 million, representing an increase of 34.1% from RMB28,046 million in 2005 to RM37,612 million in 2006.

 

Revenue from the external sales of alumina segment in 2006 increased by RMB4,155 million or 18.18% from RMB22,854 million in 2005 to RMB27,009 million in 2006, mainly due to the increase in external sales volume and selling price of our alumina.

 

Revenue from the sales of alumina to our smelters rose by RMB5,411 million from RMB5,192 million in 2005 to RMB10,603 million in 2006, primarily due to the increased total demand of alumina for production as a result of the increased output of our aluminum.

 

Cost of sales. The total alumina segment cost of sales in 2006 increased from RMB17,733.0 million in 2005 to RMB24,270.0 million in 2006, representing a year-on-year increase of 36.9%, primarily due to an increase in sales volume of alumina and an increase in unit costs in 2006.

 

Operating Profit. Our total operating profit of alumina segment increased by RMB3,030 million, or 29.38% from RMB10,312 million in 2005 to RMB13,342 million in 2006.

 

Primary Aluminum Segment

 

Revenue. Our total revenue for the primary aluminum segment increased by RMB19,129 million or 135.39% from RMB14,128 million in 2005 to RMB33,257 million in 2006, mainly due to the increase of the Group's primary aluminum sales volume and selling price.

 

Cost of Sales. The total primary aluminum segment cost of sales in 2006 increased from RMB13,897.0 million in 2005 to RMB28,781.0 million in 2006, representing a year-on-year increase of 107.1%, primarily due to an increase in sales volume of primary aluminum and an increase in unit costs in 2006.

 

Operating Profit. The primary aluminum segment recorded an operating profit of RMB4,476 million in 2006, representing an increase of RMB4,244 million as compared with RMB232 million in 2005.

 

Corporate and Other Services Segment

 

Our corporate and other services segment reflected the expenses of our headquarters, research and development services and product sales of our research institute to external customers. This segment recorded an increase in operating loss from RMB48.44 million in 2005 to a loss of RMB54.49 million in 2006.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

- 60 -

 


 

Alumina Segment

 

Revenue. Our total revenue of the alumina segment increased by RMB3,321.8 million to RMB28,045.5 million in 2005, a 13.4% increase from RMB24,723.7 million in 2004.

 

We sold alumina products to our smelters and to other domestic smelters. Revenue from the external sales of alumina in 2005 rose by RMB2,356.3 million, or 11.5% mainly due to an increase in selling price and external sales volume of alumina. The average external selling price of alumina in 2005 increased to RMB3,268.3 per tonne from RMB3,229.7 per tonne in 2004, mainly due to strong domestic demand for alumina. The external sales volume of alumina increased by 10.2% to 5,400,000 tonnes in 2005 from 4,900,000 tonnes in 2004, mainly attributable to the increased demand and our increased production capacity of alumina by 1,900,000 tonnes in 2005 compared to 2004.

 

Revenue from the sales of alumina to our smelters in 2005 rose by RMB965.5 million, or 22.9%, from 2004, primarily due to our increased production capacity of primary aluminum which required additional alumina as input to satisfy our expanded primary aluminum production capacities.

 

Cost of sales. The total alumina segment cost of sales in 2005 increased by RMB2,165.4 million, or 15.1%, from RMB14,386.8 million in 2004 to RMB16,552.2 million in 2005, primarily due to an increase in sales volume of alumina and an increase in raw material costs and fuel and power costs in 2005, which was partially offset by optimization of production process resulting from technological upgrade and increased production capacities.

 

Operating Profit. Total operating profit for the alumina segment increased by 10.5% from RMB9,333.4 million in 2004 to RMB10,312.2 million in 2005 primarily due to increased sales volume of alumina in 2005, partially offset by increased unit production cost.

 

Primary Aluminum Segment

 

Revenue. We sold a total of 760,600 tonnes and 905,000 tonnes of the primary aluminum products we produced in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Our total turnover for the primary aluminum segment increased by RMB2,408.1 million to RMB14,128.5 million in 2005, a 20.6% increase over 2004. This was mainly attributable to the increase in sales volumes supplemented by the increase in average selling prices of primary aluminum in 2005. The increase was partially offset by decreased revenue from carbon and other products.

 

Cost of sales. The total cost of sales for our primary aluminum segment increased by 18.2% from RMB11,239.8 million in 2004 to RMB13,280.6 million in 2005, mainly due to increases in sales volumes as noted above, and unit production cost. The increase in unit production cost was attributable to increased prices in alumina used as raw material to produce primary aluminum and electricity. The increase unit production cost, however, was partially offset by the increases in production volume.

 

Operating (Loss) Profit. The primary aluminum segment recorded an operating profit of RMB231.9 million in 2005, compared to an operating loss of RMB43.9 million in 2004, primarily due to increased sales volumes and increased average selling prices of primary aluminum in 2005.

 

Corporate and Other Services Segment

 

Our corporate and other services segment reflected the expenses for our headquarters and research and development services and revenue from product sales of our research institute to external customers. This segment recorded an operating loss of RMB48.5 million and RMB76.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

Working Capital and Liabilities

 

Our primary sources of funding are cash generated by operating activities, prepayments and deposits from customers, short-term and long-term borrowings, and proceeds from equity or debt offerings. Our primary uses of funds have been production-related working capital, repayment of short-term and long-term borrowings and capital expenditures. Since 2004, we have required our customers to make deposits or

 

- 61 -

 


 

prepayments for purchases of alumina. As of December 31, 2006, the total amount of deposits and prepayments received amounted to RMB425.7 million. Our current assets amounted to RMB25,728 million at December 31, 2006, representing an increase of RMB8,765 million as compared with RMB16,963 million at December 31, 2005.

 

As of December 31, 2006, our cash and cash equivalents amounted to RMB12,803 million, representing an increase of RMB5,205 million as compared with RMB7,598 million as of December 31, 2005.

 

As of December 31, 2006, our inventories amounted to RMB9,036 million, representing an increase of RMB1,801 million as compared with RMB7,235 million as of December 31, 2005. Our revenue rate of inventory in 2006 was 5.15, representing an increase of 1.17 as compared with the 3.98 in the previous year, resulting from the effective management of inventory.

 

Our net accounts receivable amounted to RMB2,026 million, representing an increase of RMB1,065 million as compared with RMB961 million as of December 31, 2005. Of the accounts receivable, bills receivable increased by RMB858 million from RMB712 million as of December 31, 2005 to RMB1, 570 million, while trade receivables increased by RMB206 million from RMB250 million as of December 31, 2005 to RMB456 million. The revenue rate of accounts receivable remained relatively unchanged at approximately 8.7.

 

As of December 31, 2006, our current liabilities amounted to RMB21,561 million, representing an increase of RMB6,623 million as compared with RMB14,938 million at the end of 2005. Of the current liabilities, the total short-term loans increased by RMB1,380 million to RMB5,113 million from RMB3,733 million in 2005; short-term bonds amounted to RMB4,985 million, representing an increase of RMB3,014 million as compared to the corresponding period in 2005; and the accounts payable, current income taxes payable and other current liabilities increased by RMB238 million, RMB705 million and RMB1,285 million, respectively.

 

In May 2006, we issued short-term bonds in the principal amount of RMB3 billion at par for repayment of certain short-term borrowings and for working capital purposes. In December 2006, we issued short-term bonds in the principal amount of RMB2 billion at discount for working capital purposes.

 

As a result of the foregoing, our net current assets amounted to RMB4,167 million as of December 31, 2006. This represented an increase of RMB2,142 million as compared to the net current assets of RMB2,025 million as of December 31, 2005.

 

As of December 31, 2006, our liquidity ratio (current assets/current liabilities) was 1.19, representing an increase of 0.05 as compared to 1.14 as of December 31, 2005. Our quick ratio ((current assets - inventories)/current liabilities) was 0.77, representing an increase of 0.12 as compared to the 0.65 in 2005.

 

Our gearing ratio (total borrowings/(total borrowings + total equity - minority interest)) decreased to 29.58% as of December 31, 2006 from 32.05% as of December 31, 2005, representing a decrease of 2.47 percentage points, which was mainly attributable to the H Shares placement of the Company and increased profit.

 

Our ability to obtain additional external financing in the future and the cost of such financing are subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:

 

*

obtaining PRC government approvals required to access domestic or international financing or to undertake any project involving significant capital investment, which, depending on the circumstances, may include one or more approvals from the NDRC, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the Ministry of Commerce and the China Securities Regulatory Commission;

 

 

*

our future operating performances, financial condition and cash flows;

 

 

*

the cost of financing and the condition of financial markets; and

 

 

*

potential changes in monetary policy of the PRC government with respect to bank interest rates and lending practices.

 

 

- 62 -

 


 

If we fail to achieve timely rollover, extension or refinancing of our short-term debt, we may be unable to meet our obligations in connection with debt service, accounts payable and/or other liabilities when they become due and payable.

 

In light of our good credit standing and various domestic and overseas financing methods, we believe that there will be no difficulty in financing capital investments. Our capital expenditures and external investment are mainly financed by operating activities, long-term and short-term loans and additional shares placement.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2006 amounted to RMB12,803 million, including Renminbi balances and foreign currency deposits of AUD31.95 million, US$30.67 million and HK$9.42 million. Cash and cash equivalents above include RMB3,000 million of time deposit. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a condensed summary of our statement of cash flows:

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 


 

2004

2005

2006

 




 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 




 

(in millions)

 

 

Net cash generated from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit before working capital changes(1)

11,349.3

12,595.7

20,438.9

Net change in working capital(2)

(891.6)

(652.9)

(2,772.1)

Interest paid

(456.3)

(686.4)

(766.6)

PRC income tax paid

(1,736.2)

(2,666.2)

(3,676.2)

 




 

 

 

 

Total

8,265.2

8,590.2

13,224.0

 




 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

(8,972.4)

(8,051.6)

(6,538.9)

Purchase of intangible assets

(81.6)

(28.7)

(29.4)

Investment in jointly controlled entities

(49.5)

(117.2)

(402.8)

 

 

 

 

- 63 -

 


 

Interest received

61.5

89.4

155.4

Increase in time deposit

-

-

(3,000.0)

Others

(13.8)

(713.1)

(428.5)

 




 

 

 

 

Total

(9,055.8)

(8,821.2)

(10,244.2)

 




 

 

 

 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from issue of shares

3,250.7

-

4,390.5

Net borrowings

1,884.5

1,509.2

(3,559.7)

Proceeds from short-term bonds

-

1,943.2

4,913.4

Repayment of short-term bonds

-

-

(2,000)

Net contribution from owner and minority shareholders

360.5

180.9

92.4

Dividend paid by a subsidiary to minority shareholders

(16.9)

(83.6)

(81.4)

Dividends paid

(1,060.8)

(1,944.8)

(4,529.9)

 




 

 

 

 

Total

4,418.0

1,604.9

(774.7)

 




 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

3,627.4

1,373.9

2,205.0

 




 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents profit before income tax and minority interest as adjusted for depreciation expense, loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, interest income and interest expenses.

 

 

- 64 -

 


 

(2)

Represents (increase) decrease in inventories, accounts receivable and other current assets, accounts payable and other payables and accruals.

 

 

Net Cash Generated From Operating Activities

 

Cash from operations increased by RMB4,634 million or 53.95% from RMB8,590 million in 2005 to RMB13,224 million in 2006. The increase was primarily the result of our increased profit.

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities in 2006 was RMB10,244 million, increasing by RMB1,423 million compared with RMB8,821 million in 2005. This was mainly due to the increase in our capital expenditure.

 

Net Cash Outflow from Financing Activities

 

Net cash outflow from financing activities amounted to RMB775 million in 2006, which was a decrease of RMB2,380 million as compared with an inflow of RMB1,605 million in 2005. In 2006, there was cash outflow consisting of short-term bond repayments of RMB2 billion, bank loan repayments of RMB6,438 million and dividend payments of RMB4,611 million. These were partially offset by cash inflow from proceeds generated from our placement of new H Shares for net proceeds of approximately RMB4,390 million, the issuance of short-term bonds for net proceeds of RMB4,913 million, additional bank loans taken of RMB2,879 million. We continue to benefit from the centralized cash management system implemented since 2002. We expect that this system will continue to help:

 

*

centralize and simplify internal clearing and settlement procedures;

 

 

*

utilize excess bank deposits to reduce bank borrowings;

 

 

*

reduce accounts receivable; and

 

 

*

improve the efficiency of our internal funds management.

 

 

Bank Loans and Banking Facilities

 

- 65 -

 


 

Our net borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were as follows:

 

 

As of December 31,

 


 

2004

2005

2006

2006

 





 

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$(1)

 





 

(in millions)

 

 

Short-term loans

3,448.9

2,379.0

2,762.0

353.9

Short-term bonds

-

1,970.8

4,985.1

638.8

Long-term loans

8,465.3

11,044.5

10,831.6

1,387.9

 





 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

11,914.2

15,394.3

18,578.7

2,380.6

 





 

 

 

 

 

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

(6,223.8)

(7,597.7)

(12,802.8)

(1,640.5)

 





 

 

 

 

 

Net debt

5,690.4

7,796.6

5,775.9

740.1

 





 

 

 

 

 

The aggregate maturities of our outstanding long-term bank loans as of December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

 

Principal Outstanding as of

Maturity Date

December 31, 2006

 


 

RMB

US$(1)

 



 

(in millions)

 

 

2007

2,349

301

2008

2,084

267

2009

2,068

265

2010

1,249

160

2011

991

127

2012

1,311

168

2013

773

99

2014

8

1

 

 

 

Total

10,832

1,388

 



 

 

 

_________________

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Translated solely for the convenience of the reader into U.S. dollars at the noon buying rate prevailing on December 29, 2006 of US$1.00 to RMB7.8041.

 

 

We had total cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2006 of RMB12,814.1 million, equivalent to US$1,641 million. Additionally, we have a history of strong earnings and of generating significant cash inflows from our continuous operating activities (cash generated from operating activities amounted to approximately RMB20,438.9 million, equivalent to US$2,619 million for the year ended December 31, 2006). Our Directors are of the view that we will continue to be able to meet our loan payment obligations as they fall due from working capital generated from our operating activities. Additionally, our Directors do not foresee any events that may have an impact on our satisfaction of such obligations.

 

- 66 -

 


 

(1)

Translated solely for the convenience of the reader into U.S. dollars at the noon buying rate prevailing on December 29, 2006 of US$1.00 to RMB7.8041.

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, we had secured bank loans of RMB1,187.4 million and we, on a stand-alone basis, provided guarantees in respect of RMB1,554.9 million of long-term bank loans and RMB1,170.0 million of short-term bank loans for our subsidiaries.

 

As of December 31, 2006, Chinalco guaranteed RMB494.0 million of our bank loans. The guarantees by Chinalco and its subsidiaries to various banks in respect of banking facilities and loans granted to third parties as of December 31, 2000 remained with Chinalco after our reorganization.

 

As of December 31, 2006, we had total banking facilities of RMB50,082.2 million, inclusive of long-term facilities of approximately RMB17,600.0 million and other loan facilities of approximately RMB32,482.0 million. Out of the total banking facilities granted, amounts totaling RMB13,679.6 million have been utilized as of December 31, 2006. Approximately RMB16,200.0 million in bank facilities must be renewed in 2007. We believe that we will be able to renew these facilities when they expire.

 

Foreign Exchange

 

We conduct our business primarily in Renminbi, which is also our functional and reporting currency. We convert a portion of our Renminbi revenue into other currencies to meet foreign currency financial obligations and to pay for imported equipment and materials. Under current foreign currency regulations in China, to meet these needs, we are permitted to convert Renminbi into the necessary foreign currencies at authorized banks based on a presentation of the relevant contracts. We may also borrow foreign currency loans from such banks for these purposes. To the extent that we need to obtain foreign currency funding for capital projects as defined under foreign exchange regulations, we would be required to obtain approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. Transactions in foreign exchange are translated at exchange rates prevailing at the transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising in these cases are recognized as income or expense in the profit and loss account.

 

Renminbi is not a freely convertible currency. The restrictions on foreign exchange imposed by the PRC government may result in material differences between future exchange rate and current exchange rate or historical exchange rate. The changes in the exchange rate of Renminbi will impact our ability to carry out operations relating to foreign exchange. Those changes will also impact our ability to pay dividends in HK dollars and to pay dividends of American Depository Shares in U.S. dollars. We believe that we are able to obtain sufficient foreign exchange to implement the above-mentioned obligations. As of December 31, 2006, our foreign currency denominated loans amounted to RMB9.0 million, all was denominated in Danish Krone. In addition, our foreign currency denominated short-term bank deposits amounted to RMB451.7 million, of which RMB239.5 million was denominated in U.S. dollars, RMB196.8 million was denominated in Australian dollars and RMB9.5 million was denominated in HK dollars. Most of our sales are domestic and, as such, we have a limited amount of foreign currency denominated accounts receivable. See "Item 11 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk - Foreign Exchange Rate Risk". Our sources of foreign exchange include the H Share placement, borrowings and funds converted from Renminbi. We do not anticipate that we will incur significant additional foreign currency debt in the near future.

 

We have been, and will continue to be, affected by changes in exchange rates in connection with our ability to meet our foreign currency obligations and will be affected by such changes in connection with our ability to pay dividends on H Shares in HK dollars and on ADSs in U.S. dollars. As of December 31, 2006, we maintained bank balances of US$30.7 million, HK$9.4 million, 32.0 million Australian dollars and 0.4 million euros and 0.3 million Swiss francs or the equivalent of approximately RMB451.7 million for purposes of satisfying our foreign currency obligations and paying dividends to our overseas shareholders. We believe that we have obtained or will be able to obtain sufficient foreign exchange to continue to satisfy these obligations. We do not engage in any financial contract or other arrangement to hedge our currency exposure.

 

Impact of Appreciation of Renminbi

 

- 67 -

 


 

We believe that, since the price of domestic alumina is determined with reference to the price of imported alumina, the appreciation of Renminbi will affect prices of the domestic spot market of alumina.

 

However, the appreciation of Renminbi will not have a significant impact on our operations because our import and export volume and foreign currency loans were minimal in 2006. From the perspective of production costs, the appreciation of Renminbi will, to some extent, decreased our competitiveness in the international market.

 

Inflation

 

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China experienced inflation of 0.7% in 2001, deflation of 0.8% in 2002, inflation of 1.2%, 3.9%, 1.8% and 1.3% in 2003, 2004, 2005 and the first nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. As a result, inflation in the PRC has not had a significant impact on our operating performances in recent years.

 

Trend Information

 

In 2006, China's GDP growth rate reached 10.5%. China's economy is expected to continue its strong growth in 2007, with increasingly important contribution from industrial growth. We expect the national demand for alumina and primary aluminum to grow in line with the nation's continuous economic growth. The recovery of the global economy is expected to further enhance aluminum consumption and support market prices of primary aluminum and alumina.

 

However, we will continue to face challenges in 2007, such as:

 

*

an increase in production cost resulting from continued increases in prices of raw materials, fuel and power; and

 

 

*

intensified domestic competition resulting from the cancellation of tax refund for primary aluminum export and the enhancement of the production capacity of alumina.

 

 

U.S. GAAP Reconciliation

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with HKFRS, which differs in various material respects from U.S. GAAP. See Note 35 to our audited consolidated financial statements for details. The summary of differences involve management's estimates and assumptions which may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure regarding contingent assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses. These material differences, as they apply to our financial statements, relate primarily to the following:

 

(a)

Revaluation of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(b)

Amortization of goodwill

 

 

(c)

Unrecognized excess of interest in the net fair value of net assets acquired over cost

 

 

(d)

Revaluation of mining rights

 

 

(e)

Minority interest

 

 

(f)

Income tax effect of U.S. GAAP adjustments

 

 

For further details regarding recent developments of U.S. GAAP, see Note 35 to our audited consolidated financial statements. For further details regarding recent accounting pronouncements of HK GAAP, see Note 2(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Contractual obligations

 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2006:

 

- 68 -

 


 

 

Payment due by period

 

Total

2007

2008-2009

2010-2011

Thereafter

 






 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 






 

(in millions)

 

 

Long-term debt

10,831.6

2,350.8

4,152.6

2,242.1

2,086.1

Interest payments

1,815.0

571.5

442.4

313.4

487.7

Operating leases

12,432.6

300.9

601.8

601.7

10,928.2

Capital contributions

750.4

750.4

-

-

-

Purchase obligations

2,167.3

2,167.3

-

-

-

 






 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

27,996.9

6,140.9

5,196.8

3,157.2

13,502.0

 






 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures and Capital Commitments

 

The following table sets forth our capital expenditures by segment for the years ended 2004, 2005 and 2006, and the capital expenditures in each segment as a percentage of our total capital expenditures for such years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 


 

2004

2005

2006

 




 

RMB

%

RMB

%

RMB

%

 







 

(in millions, except percentages)

 

 

- 69 -

 


 

Alumina

5,399.0

49.3

5,369.6

63.8

3554.9

40.9

Primary aluminum

5,257.4

48.1

2,793.9

33.2

4324.2

49.7

Corporate and other services

76.8

0.7

124.8

1.5

122.2

1.4

Unallocated

208.4

1.9

129.6

1.5

693.0

8.0

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

10,941.6

100%

8,417.9

100%

8,694.3

100%

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2006, we spent approximately 90.5% of our 2006 capital expenditure of RMB8,694.32 million to improve our alumina and primary aluminum production capacity.

 

*

We used RMB3,554.9 million of our alumina segment expenditures: (i) to expand our alumina production capacity; (ii) to undertake technological improvements to our alumina production processes and facilities; (iii) for the Shandong alumina project involving the upgrade of our innovative energy-saving sintering technology as well as the alumina project involving the reconstruction and expansion of Bayer technology; (iv) for the Zhongzhou alumina project involving the upgrade of the sintering process as well as the project involving alumina concentration with added bauxite after digestion of the ore-dressing Bayer process.

 

 

*

We used RMB4,324.2 million to expand our primary aluminum production capacity by merger and acquisition of primary aluminum smelters, such as Shanxi Huasheng, Fushun Aluminum, Shandong Huayu, Zunyi Aluminum, Gansu Hualu and Jiaozuo Wanfang.

 

 

In 2007, we expect to use approximately RMB16,600 million for technology upgrade and construction; of this amount, we expect to use approximately RMB10,100 million for our alumina project, and approximately RMB6,500 million for our primary aluminum projects.

Our capacity expansion plan reflects our focus on expanding our alumina production capacity to take advantage of our market position in China. In addition, we continually evaluate acquisition and joint venture opportunities and may take advantage of these opportunities if we determine that it is in our and our shareholders' best interests. We expect that our alumina and primary aluminum production capacity will reach 9,937,000 and 2,989,200 tonnes, respectively, by the end of 2007.

These are our current plans with respect to our capital expenditures. They may change as circumstances change, and may be modified as our business plans evolve. Other than as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publish updates of our plans.

As of December 31, 2006, our capital commitments relating to investments in property, plant and equipment amounted to RMB8,200 million, of which those contracted but not provided for amounted to RMB2,167 million and those authorized and not contracted amounted to RMB6,033 million. Our external investment commitments amounted to RMB880 million, mainly attributable to the establishment of Guangxi Huayin alumina project and Chalco Zunyi Alumina through joint venture. Our investment in construction and upgrade of technology as well as external investment and acquisition improved our capacity and output of alumina and primary aluminum.

 

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Research and Development

Our department of science and technology coordinates the research and development efforts undertaken at our Research Institute and technology centers at our plants. The Research Institute, the only organization in China dedicated to aluminum research, is responsible for the research and development of technologies and associated projects that are applied at our relevant plants. The technology centers at our plants focus on providing engineering solutions to, and technological application of, research and development efforts. Each of the plants also conducts operational testing and pilot experimentation relating to various research and development topics. Although we collaborate with universities and other research institutions in China on some of our projects, we generally do not outsource our research and development.

 

Our total expenditure for research and development was approximately RMB132.6 million, RMB113.4 million and RMB113.5 million for 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

ITEM 6.

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

 

All of our directors and supervisors are elected for a three-year term. At the expiry of the term of office, the term is renewable upon re-election. Each of our directors and supervisors has entered into a service contract with us for a term of three years. The service contract is not terminable by us within one year without payment of compensation (other than statutory compensation). There were no arrangements providing for benefits upon termination of our directors, supervisors or other senior management personnel.

 

In addition to director's fees, our directors are entitled to performance bonuses. The executive directors are also entitled to the welfare benefits provided under the relevant PRC laws and regulations.

 

Directors

 

At our annual general meeting of shareholders held on June 7, 2004, Messrs. Xiong Weiping, Chen Xiaozhou, Joseph C. Muscari, Chiu Chi Cheong Clifton and Wang Dianzuo were re-elected for further terms of three years, and Messrs. Xiao Yaqing, Luo Jianchuan and Chen Jihua were elected for terms of three years. Mr. Xiao Yaqing was elected Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer. At the extraordinary shareholders' meeting held on September 28, 2004, Mr. Kang Yi was elected to fill the vacancy in our Board. At our annual general meeting of shareholders held on June 9, 2005, Mr. Shi Chungui was elected as our Non-executive Director in place of Mr. Chen Xiaozhou. Further, at our extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on October 14, 2005, Mr. Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel was elected as our Independent Non-executive Director in place of Mr. Chiu Chi Cheong Clifton who resigned with effect from October 14, 2005. Mr. Xiong Weiping resigned from his office as an Executive Director on August 23, 2006. Mr. Zhang Chengzhong was appointed as an Executive Director of the Company to replace Mr. Xiong Weiping at the Extraordinary General Meeting on October 13, 2006. At the annual general meeting on May 18, 2007, the third session of the Board was established. The members are Xiao Yaqing, Luo Jianchuan, Chen Jihua, Shi Chungui, Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel and Kang Yi, and three new directors, Liu Xiangmin, Helmut Wieser and Zhang Zuoyuan, with Mr. Xiao Yaqing serving as the Chairman. The term of directors' service is three years. The business address of each of our directors is No. 62 North Xizhimen Street, Hai Dian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 100082.

 

We follow our home country practice in relation to the composition of our board of directors in reliance on the exemption provided under Section 303A.00 of the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules available to foreign private issuers. Our home country practice does not require a majority of directors of a listed company to be independent directors. As such, the majority of our directors are not independent within the meaning of NYSE Corporate Governance Rules.

 

The table and discussion below set forth information concerning our directors as of December 31, 2006.

 

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Name

Age

Positions with the Company




 

 

 

Executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Xiao Yaqing

48

Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Luo Jianchuan

44

Director and Senior Vice President

 

 

 

Chen Jihua

39

Director, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Zhang Chengzhong

47

Director and Vice President

 

 

 

Non-executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Shi Chungui

67

Director

 

 

 

Joseph C. Muscari

60

Director

 

 

 

Independent Non-executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel

47

Independent Director

 

 

 

Wang Dianzuo

73

Independent Director

 

 

 

Kang Yi

66

Independent Director

 

 

 

The table and discussion below set forth information concerning our directors appointed at our annual general meeting held on May 18, 2007:

 

Name

Age

Positions with the Company




 

 

 

- 72 -

 


 

Executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Xiao Yaqing

48

Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer

Luo Jianchuan

44

Director and President

Chen Jihua

39

Director, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Liu Xiangmin

45

Director and Vice President

 

 

 

Non-executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Shi Chungui

67

Director

Helmet Wieser

53

Director

 

 

 

Independent Non-executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel

47

Independent Director

Kang Yi

66

Independent Director

Zhang Zuoyuan

73

Independent Director

 

 

 

Executive Directors

 

Xiao Yaqing, aged 48, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He has been employed by our Company since 2004. Mr. Xiao is the Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee under the Board of our Company and is the President of Chinalco. Mr. Xiao graduated from Central South University of Industry where he majored in pressure processing and received a doctorate degree. Mr. Xiao is a professor-grade senior engineer. Mr. Xiao has abundant academic achievement and more than twenty years of extensive practical experience in the fields of metallic materials and management. He has been the engineer, department head, deputy chief engineer and chief engineer of Northeast Light Alloy Fabrication Plant. He has also been the General Manager of Northeast Light Alloy Corporation Limited, the Factory Manager of Southwest Aluminum Fabrication Plant, the Chairman and General Manager of Southwest Aluminum (Group) Co., Ltd. and the Deputy General Manager of Chinalco.

 

Luo Jianchuan, aged 44, is an Executive Director and the President. He has been employed by the Company since 2001. Mr. Luo graduated from Central South University of Industry majored in resources

 

- 73 -

 


 

and environment economy and received a doctorate degree. Mr. Luo is a senior engineer with about 20 years of experience in nonferrous metal import and export trading management and extensive professional experience in trading and management. Mr. Luo formerly served as the engineer of the Lead and Zinc Bureau under China Non-ferrous Metals Industry Corporation, the Manager of Haikou Nanxin Industry & Commerce Corporation, Assistant to General Manager of Jinpeng Mining Development Corporation, the Deputy General Manager and General Manager of Xinquan Corporation, Assistant to General Manager of China Non-Ferrous Metals Industry Trading Group Corporation, the Deputy Chief of the Trading Division of China Copper, Lead & Zinc Group Corporation, the General Manager of China Aluminum International Trading Corporation Limited and the General Manager of the Operations and Sales Division of the Company.

 

Chen Jihua, aged 39, is an Executive Director, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. He has been employed by the Company since 2001. Mr. Chen holds a Master's degree from Central University of Finance and Banking. Mr. Chen has participated in a wide range of corporate and financial management projects. He formerly served as the Executive Manager of the International Finance Department of China Chengxin Securities Rating Company Limited, the Chief Financial Officer with Red Bull Vitamin Beverages Company Limited and China Operations of ALJ Group of Saudi Arabia. He also formerly served as the Chief Financial Officer with Jitong Network Communications Company Limited.

 

Liu Xiangmin, aged 45, is a Vice President and the Executive Director of the Company since May 2007. He has been employed by the Company since 2001. Mr. Liu graduated from Central South University of Industry, majoring in non-ferrous metal science and has also obtained a Doctorate degree in Metallurgy Engineering. He is a professor-grade senior engineer and has extensive professional experience in the fields of non-ferrous metals metallurgy and corporate management. Mr. Liu previously served as a Deputy Head and then the Head of the Alumina branch of Zhongzhou Aluminum Plant, a Deputy Head of Zhongzhou Aluminum Plant, and the General Manager of Zhongzhou Branch of the Company.

 

Non-executive Directors

 

Shi Chungui, aged 67, is a Non-executive Director of the Company and a member of the Expert Consultancy Committee of China Cinda. He has been employed by the company since 2005. Mr. Shi graduated from Northeast University of Finance and Economics in 1964 with a Bachelor's degree in accounting. Mr. Shi has extensive experience in the management of financial, governmental and business administrative matters. Mr. Shi was previously the Head of Commerce Bureau of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, the Standing Deputy Mayor of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, the President of Hebei Branch of China Construction Bank, the President of Beijing Branch of China Construction Bank, a Deputy President of the Head Office of China Construction Bank and a Deputy President of China Cinda Asset Management Corporation.

 

Helmut Wieser, aged 53, is a Non-executive Director of the Company since May 2007 and the Vice Executive President of Alcoa International (Asia) Limited ("Alcoa") and Group President responsible for Alcoa's global mill products, rigid packaging and hard alloy extrusion businesses. He also oversees Alcoa's businesses in the Asia Pacific region. In addition, Helmut is a member of the Alcoa Executive Council. He joined Alcoa in 2000 as Vice President, operations for Alcoa's flat-rolled products group in Europe based in Geneva and a year later was named President of the group. He was elected Vice President of Alcoa in 2004, when he was named President of the North American and European Mill Products Organization, and was elected executive Vice President in 2005. Prior to joining Alcoa, Mr. Wieser was an executive member of the board and Chief Operating Officer of Austria Metal Group. Helmut received a Master's degree in mechanical engineering and economics in 1981 from the University of Graz.

 

Independent Non-executive Directors

 

Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel, aged 47, is an Independent Non-executive Director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Company. Mr. Poon was appointed as the Independent Non-executive Director of the Company in October 2005. Mr. Poon holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the London Business School and a Bachelor in Business Administration degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Mr. Poon is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Limited and a member of Executive Committee and Honorary Treasury of English Schools Foundation. He is the

 

- 74 -

 


 

Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Student Finance of the Education and Manpower Bureau and an adjunct Professor of Peking University, National Chengchi University of Taiwan and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Mr. Poon formerly served as a Managing Director and held various positions in Merrill Lynch, including Co-head of Investment Banking and Head of Debt Capital Markets for the Asia Pacific region, and Head of Corporate Finance for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

 

Kang Yi, aged 66, is an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company. Mr. Kang was appointed as the Independent Non-executive Director of the Company in 2004. Mr. Kang graduated in 1965 from Central South University of Technology in the expertise of the metallurgy of nonferrous metals, and is a professor grade senior engineer. Mr. Kang is the Chairman of the China Non-ferrous Metals Industry Association. He is also a member of the national Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference ("CPPCC"), a member of the China Association for Science and Technology, the Chairman of Non-ferrous Metals Society of China and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Jiangxi Copper Company Limited and Baotou Aluminum Corporation Limited. Mr. Kang once served as the factory manager of Qingtongxia Aluminum Plant, the Head of the Economic Committee of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a Deputy General Manager of China Non-ferrous Metals Industry Corporation, and a Deputy Head of the State Non-ferrous Metals Industry Bureau.

 

Zhang Zuoyuan, aged 73, was appointed to be our Independent Non-executive Director on May 18, 2007. He is also a member of Academy of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and a researcher of the Institute of Economics. Mr. Zhang graduated from the Faculty of Economics of Zhongnan University of finance and economics. He had served as assistant researcher, deputy researcher and researcher of Institute of Economics in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a director and researcher of Institute of Finance, Trade and Economics; director and researcher of the Institute of Industrial Economics, and a director and researcher of Institute of Economics. He had also been a tutor of doctorate students and chief editor of Finance & Trade Economics and Economics Research Journal. Mr. Zhang has extensive professional experience in political and economics, pricing and marketing. He is a member of the Ninth and Tenth Sessions of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, deputy director of China Association of Pricing, China Society of Urban Economy and Chinese Society for Urban Development Studies, a director of Chinese Society for Cost Studies and the Secretary-General of Foundation of Sun Ye Fang Economics and Science.

 

Supervisors

 

Our supervisors are elected to represent our employees and shareholders and serve a term of three years or until the election of their respective successors. Mr. Luo Tao and Mr. Ou Xiaowu respectively resigned as Chairman of the Supervisory Committee and Supervisor of the Company with effect from 23 August 2006, and Mr. Ao Hong and Mr. Zhang Zhankui have been appointed as Chairman of the Supervisory Committee and Supervisor respectively at the Extraordinary General Meeting on October 13, 2006. On May 18, 2007, Mr. Ao Hong, Mr. Yuanli and Mr. Zhang Zhankui were elected to renew their terms of office.

 

The supervisors convened two meetings in 2006. The table and discussion below set forth certain information concerning our supervisors.

 

Name

Age

Positions with the Company




 

 

 

Ao Hong

46

Chairman of the Committee of Supervisors

 

 

 

Yuan Li

49

Supervisor (employee representative), General Manager of Corporate Culture Department of the Company

 

 

 

- 75 -

 


 

Zhang Zhankui

49

Supervisor

 

 

 

Ao Hong, aged 46, is a Vice President of Chinalco. Mr. Ao graduated from Kunming University of Science and Technology and majored in Metallurgy. He holds a Master's degree and is a professor-grade senior engineer with extensive experience in non-ferrous metals research, corporate management, corporate governance and internal control. Mr. Ao formerly served as an engineer, senior engineer, Head of General Office and Vice Chairman of Beijing General Research Institute for Non-ferrous Metals, the Chairman of GRINM Semiconductor Materials Co., Ltd., Guorui Electronic Materials Co., Ltd., Beijing Guojing Infrared Optical Technology Co., Ltd., Guowei Silver Anticorrosive Materials Company and Guo Jing Micro-electronic Holdings Ltd. in Hong Kong, respectively.

 

Yuan Li, aged 49, is a Supervisor elected as the employee representative of the Company and the General Manager of the Corporate Culture Department of the Company. He has been employed by the Company since 2001. Mr. Yuan is an engineer with extensive administrative and managerial experiences. He formerly served as the Deputy Director of the General Management Office under the General Office of China Non-ferrous Metals Industry Corporation, head of the Department of Research and Survey as well as the chief of the Secretariat and an assistant inspector of the State Bureau of Non-ferrous Metals Industry and Deputy Director of the Department of Political Affairs and the Director of the Community Union Working Department of Chinalco.

 

Zhang Zhankui, aged 49, is a postgraduate of economic management and a senior accountant. He has extensive experience in corporate finance accounting, fund management, project auditing and business management. Mr. Zhang formerly served as the Head of Finance Division and then Head of the Audit Division of China General Design Institute for Non-ferrous Metals, a Deputy General Manager of Beijing Enfei Tech-industry Group, Head of the Accounting Division of the Finance Department and a Deputy Head of the Finance Department of China Copper Lead & Zinc Group Corporation, a manager of the Asset and Finance of the Listing Office of Chinalco and Head of the Fund Division of the Finance Department of Chinalco and a manager of the Comprehensive Division of the Finance Department of the Company.

 

Other Senior Management Personnel

 

The table and discussion below set forth certain information concerning other senior management personnel.

 

Name

Age

Positions with the Company




 

 

 

Ding Haiyan

49

Vice President

 

 

 

Jiang Yinggang

44

Vice President

 

 

 

Liu Qiang

43

Secretary to the Board

 

 

 

Ding Haiyan, aged 49, is a Vice President of the Company and has been employed by Chalco since 2001. As a holder of a Master's degree in Labor Economics and a Doctorate candidate, Mr. Ding is a senior economist with extensive experience in labor, wages, insurance, merger and acquisition of enterprises and capital operation. He once served as a Director of Labor Wage Division and Deputy Director of the Bureau of Labor and Insurance of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Corporation, Deputy Director-General of the Enterprise Reform Department of the State Bureau of Non-ferrous Metals Industry as well as a Manager of

 

- 76 -

 


 

the Department of Asset Management, a Deputy Director of the Listing Office and Assistant to president of Chinalco, and an Executive Director and the Secretary of the Board of the Company.

 

Jiang Yinggang, aged 44, is a Vice President of the Company and the General Manager of Qinghai Branch of the Company. Mr. Jiang has a Bachelor degree and a Master degree in non-ferrous metal engineering. He is a professor-grade senior engineer and has served as Deputy Head and then Head of Corporate Management Department of Qinghai Aluminum Plant, the Head of Qinghai Aluminum Smelter, Deputy General Manager and General Manager of Qinghai Aluminum Company Limited, and General Manager of Qinghai branch of the Company.

 

Liu Qiang, aged 43, is the Secretary to the Board and has been employed by the Company since 2001. She has been the Secretary to the Board since November 2003. Ms. Liu holds a Master's degree in English literature and is a professor-grade senior translator. She has extensive experience in the import and export of non-ferrous metals and analysis of the aluminum market. Ms. Liu formerly worked with the China National Non-Ferrous Metals Import and Export Corporation. During her term of office, she studied at the University of International Business and Economics, majored in Finance, accounting and MBA course. She formerly served as the Finance Manager of the Australian branch of the China National Non-Ferrous Metal Import and Export Corporation; senior analyst for the Aluminum Industry and Market of China National Non-Ferrous Metals Trading Group; senior analyst for the Aluminum Industry and Market of China National Metals and Minerals Import and Export Corporation; and deputy manager of the Import and Export Division of China Aluminum International Trading Corporation Limited.

 

Audit Committee

 

Currently, our audit committee consists of three Independent Non-executive Directors, namely, Mr. Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel, Mr. Kang Yi and Mr. Zhang Zuoyuan. Mr. Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel is the Chairman of the audit committee. Our audit committee satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and NYSE Rule 303A.06 relating to audit committees, including the requirements relating to independence of the audit committee members. The primary duties of our audit committee as set out in the committee charter are to review our annual and interim financial reports, review and approve the selection of and remuneration paid to our independent auditors, approve audit and audit-related services, approve related party transactions, supervise our internal financial reporting process, including our internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures, supervise our internal and external auditors, and review management policies. The audit committee convened four meetings in 2006.

 

Remuneration Committee

 

We have established a remuneration committee. Our remuneration committee consists of one Executive Director, namely Mr. Chen Jihua and three Independent Non-executive Directors, Mr. Kang Yi, Mr. Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel, and Mr. Zhang Zuoyuan. Mr. Kang Yi serves as the Chairman of the Committee.

 

Committee members' responsibilities as set out in the committee charter include reviewing compensation policies and performance appraisals with respect to the directors and senior management, reviewing the regulations of assessment of achievement and performance of Executive Directors and senior managers. In 2006, the Committee convened three meetings, mainly focusing on the preparation of remuneration policies for Directors and senior management; assessment of achievement and performance of Executive Directors and senior management. We follow our home country practice in relation to the composition of our remuneration committee in reliance on the exemption provided under NYSE Corporate Governance Rule 303A.00 available to foreign private issuers. Our home country practice does not require us to establish a remuneration committee which must be composed entirely of independent directors.

 

Nomination Committee

 

We have established a nomination committee which consists of two Executive Directors, namely Mr. Xiao Yaqing and Mr. Luo Jianchuan and three Independent Non-executive Directors, Mr. Kang Yi, Mr. Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel, and Mr. Zhang Zuoyuan. Mr. Xiao Yaqing serves as the Chairman of the Committee.

 

Committee members' responsibilities as set out in the committee charter include reviewing and

 

- 77 -

 


 

recommending selection of independent directors and members of the committees under the board of directors, approving the terms of directors service contracts, and the appointment and removal of senior executives. In 2006, the Committee convened three meetings, mainly focusing on approval of the terms of the service contracts of Directors; nomination of candidates of Executive Director for the new Board.

 

We follow our home country practice in relation to the composition of our nomination committee in reliance on the exemption provided under NYSE Corporate Governance Rule 303A.00 available to foreign private issuers. Our home country practice does not require us to establish a nomination committee which must be composed entirely of independent directors.

 

Planning and Development Committee

 

We have established a strategic planning and development committee which consists of two Executive Directors, Mr. Luo Jianchuan and Mr. Liu Xiangmin, and three managers, Mr. Ding Haiyan, Mr. Xie Hong and Mr. Yu Xinxing with Mr. Luo Jianchuan serving as the Chairman. In accordance with the committee charter, the committee reviews and assesses our strategic plans for development, fiscal budgeting, investment, business operations and annual rates of return on investments.

 

Disclosure Committee

 

Our disclosure committee consists of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and other senior management members. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer serve as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the committee, respectively. The committee implements our disclosure controls and procedures and reviews information disclosed to ensure accurate, open and timely disclosure. In 2006, the Company made some changes to the members of Disclosure Committee, and the risk management and internal controls have been enhanced. All discloseable information (including annual and interim results) shall be subject to the approval of the Company's Disclosure Committee with the Chief Executive Officer as its Chairman. For the purpose of discloseable financial statements and the relevant information, the Chief Financial Officer shall confirm that the Company's results and financial position have been reflected on a true and fair basis under relevant accounting principles and requirements.

 

Compensation

 

Directors', Supervisors' and Senior Officers' Compensation

 

The aggregate amount of cash compensation paid by us to our directors (not including our Independent Directors), supervisors and senior management in 2006 for services performed as directors, supervisors and officers or employees of our Company was approximately RMB7.7 million. The aggregate amount of cash compensation paid by us to our supervisors and senior management in 2006 was RMB0.5 million and RMB2.2 million, respectively. In addition, our executive directors and supervisors who are employees receive compensation in the form of housing allowances, other allowances and benefits in kind, including our contribution to the pension plans for our directors and supervisors. Directors and supervisors who are not employed by us receive fees for their services. We have entered into three-year service contracts with all of our directors and supervisors. None of these service contracts provides benefits to our directors upon termination.

 

Details of the emoluments paid to the Company's Directors during the reporting period are as follows:

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Employer's

 

 

 

 

 

contribution to

 

 

 

 

Discretionary

retirement

 

Name of Director

Fees

Salary

bonus

schemes

Total

 

RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 78 -

 


 

Executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Xiao Yaqing

-

754

622

19

1,395

Luo Jianchuan

-

555

351

19

925

Chen Jihua

-

506

282

19

807

Zhang Chengzhong(1)

-

506

282

19

807

Xiong Weiping(2)

-

423

346

12

781

Non-Executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Shi Chungui

150

-

-

-

150

Joseph C. Muscari(3)

150

-

-

-

150

Independent Non-Executive Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel

266

-

-

-

266

Wang Dianzuo(4)

266

-

-

-

266

Kang Yi

266

-

-

-

266

 






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,098

2,744

1,883

88

5,813

 






 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Mr. Zhang Chengzhong was appointed as an Executive Director of the Company on October 13, 2006 and resigned on May 18, 2007.

 

 

(2)

Mr. Xiong Weiping resigned from his office as an Executive Director of the Company on August 23, 2006.

 

 

(3)

Mr. Joseph C Muscari resigned from his office as a Non-Executive Director of the Company on May 18, 2007.

 

 

(4)

Mr. Wang Dianzuo resigned from his office as a Non-Executive Director of the Company on May 18, 2007.

 

 

Senior Management Incentive System

 

In order to better provide incentives for our senior management and improve our shareholders' value, we adopted a special compensation system for our senior management designed to link our senior management's financial interests with our operating performances. Under this system, the senior management's compensation consists of the following components:

 

*

basic salaries;

 

 

*

performance bonuses; and

 

 

*

incentive bonuses.

 

 

Board Practices

 

Board of Directors

 

Pursuant to the articles of association, our board of directors consists of nine directors, one of whom is the Chairman. Directors are elected at the shareholders' general meeting by vote of shareholders, and serve for terms of three years. Upon the expiration of the term of their office, they may serve successive terms if re-elected at the shareholders' general meeting. The current board of directors, excluding Mr. Shi Chungui, Mr. Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel, Mr. Kang Yi and Mr. Zhang Chengzhong, was elected at the shareholders' annual general meeting held on June 7, 2004. Mr. Shi Chungui was elected at the shareholders' annual general

 

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meeting held on June 9, 2005. Mr. Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel was elected at the shareholders' extraordinary general meeting held on October 14, 2005. Mr. Kang Yi was elected in the extraordinary shareholders' meeting held on September 28, 2004. Mr. Zhang Chengzhong was appointed as an Executive Director of the Company to replace Mr. Xiong Weiping at the Extraordinary General Meeting on October 13, 2006. The second session of the Board and Supervisory Committee will expire upon the conclusion of the 2006 Annual General Meeting. The third session of the Board came into effect upon approval at the annual general meeting convened on May 18, 2007. The third session of the Board comprises six directors from the second session of the Board, namely Xiao Yaqing, Luo Jianchuan, Chen Jihua, Shi Chungui, Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel and Kang Yi, and three new directors Liu Xiangmin, Helmut Wieser and Zhang Zuoyuan.

 

Supervisory Committee

 

We have a supervisory committee composed of three supervisors. Supervisors serve a term of three years. Upon the expiration of their terms of office, they may be reappointed to serve consecutive terms. The supervisory committee is presided over by a chairman who may be elected or removed with the consent of two-thirds or more of the members of the supervisory committee. The term of office of the Chairman is three years, renewable upon re-election. The Supervisory Committee of the Company consists of three members, with one supervisor being elected from the staff as a representative of the employees. Members of the Supervisory Committee may also observe meetings of the board of directors. Our current Supervisory Committee was appointed at the shareholders' annual general meeting held on June 7, 2004. Mr. Luo Tao and Mr. Ou Xiaowu respectively resigned as Chairman of the Supervisory Committee and Supervisor of the Company on August 23, 2006, and Mr. Ao Hong and Mr. Zhang Zhankui have been appointed as Chairman of the Supervisory Committee and Supervisor respectively at the Extraordinary General Meeting on October 13, 2006. The third session of the Supervisory Committee came into effect upon approval at the Annual General Meeting convened on May 18, 2007. All the members of the second session of the committee were elected to renew their terms of office.

 

Supervisors attend board meetings as non-voting members. The Supervisory Committee is responsible to the shareholders' general meeting and has the following duties and responsibilities:

 

*

to supervise our handling of our financial matters;

 

 

*

to supervise any acts of directors, the general manager, deputy general manager and other senior officers that are in violation of laws, administrative regulations or our articles of association;

 

 

*

to request directors, the general manager, deputy general manager and other senior officers to rectify their acts that are detrimental to the interests of Chalco;

 

 

*

to verify such financial information as financial reports, business reports and profit distribution plans submitted by the board of directors to the shareholders' general meeting, and arrange certified public accountants and auditors to verify issues;

 

 

*

to propose to convene interim shareholders' general meetings; and

 

 

*

to bring lawsuits against directors on behalf of Chalco.

 

 

Audit Committee

 

See "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Audit Committee".

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, we had a total of approximately 68,620, 68,200 and 88,004 employees, respectively.

 

The table below sets forth the number of our employees by function as of the period indicated:

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

- 80 -

 


 

 


 

2004

2005

2006

 




 

 

% of Total

 

% of Total

 

% of Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Function:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alumina production

38,100

55.5

38,124

55.9

38,360

43.6

Primary aluminum production

19,150

27.9

19,164

28.1

35,564

40.4

Mining

3,550

5.2

3,431

5.0

4,400

5.0

Research and development

1,980

2.9

1,990

2.9

2,552

2.9

Sales and marketing

740

1.1

686

1.0

880

1.0

Management and other

5,100

7.4

4,805

7.1

6,248

7.1

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

68,620

100.0%

68,200

100.0%

88,004

100%

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The table below sets forth the number of our employees as of December 31, 2006:

 

Location

Employees

% of Total




 

 

 

Shandong

 

 

Shandong Plant

10,787

12.3

 

 

 

Henan

 

 

Henan plant

10,387

11.8

Zhongzhou plant

5,000

5.7

Research Institute

994

1.1

 

 

 

- 81 -

 


 

Bauxite mine branch

2,666

3

 

 

 

Guizhou

 

 

Guizhou plant

15,285

17.4

 

 

 

Guangxi

 

 

Guangxi plant

5,546

6.3

 

 

 

Shanxi

 

 

Shanxi plant

12,633

14.4

 

 

 

Qinghai

 

 

Qinghai plant

5,893

6.7

Others (including the employees of newly established subsidiary and the companies joined in by merging and acquisition)

18,683

21.2

Headquarters

130

0.1

 



 

 

 

Total

88,004

100.0%

 



 

 

 

We have workers' unions at the plant level that protect employees' rights and welfare benefits, organize educational programs, encourage employee participation in management decisions, and assist in mediating disputes between us and individual employees. All employees are union members. We have not been subjected to any strikes or other labor disturbances that have interfered with our operations, and we believe that we have good relationships with our employees.

 

The remuneration package of our employees includes salary, bonuses and allowances. Employees also receive welfare benefits including medical care, housing subsidies, childcare and education, retirement and other miscellaneous items.

 

- 82 -

 


 

In accordance with applicable PRC regulations, we participate in pension contribution plans organized by provincial and municipal governments, under which each of our plants is required to contribute an amount equal to a specified percentage of the sum of its employees' salaries, bonuses and various allowances. The amount of contribution as a percentage of the employees' salary is, on average, approximately 20.0% depending in part on the location of the plant and the average age of the employees. We have made all required pension contributions up to December 31, 2006. Retirees who retired prior to the date of the reorganization will have their pensions paid out of the pension plans established by the PRC government. We also contribute to a welfare fund for our employees. Our contributions to this fund are made at rates ranging from 5% to 10% of our after-tax income. In addition, we have introduced a new employee incentive plan which includes performance bonuses for our employees. We provide to our employees various social welfare benefits through hospitals, schools, retirement homes and other institutions owned by Chinalco and its other affiliates or through third parties.

 

Share Ownership

 

None of our directors, supervisors or senior management owns any interest in any shares or options to purchase our shares.

 

ITEM 7.

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Major Shareholders

 

We are a joint stock limited company organized under the laws of the PRC. Our parent company, Chinalco, a state-owned enterprise, owned 39.59% of our outstanding common shares after our placement of H Shares on May 9, 2006, and currently owns 40.46% of our outstanding common shares following the A Shares issuance and the transfer by China Orient of all its equity interest in us to Chinalco, which was processed at the same time when our A Shares were issued on April 30, 2007. The parent company holds a significant portion of our domestic shares in the form of state legal person shares and can exercise all rights as our controlling shareholder according to the relevant laws, rules and regulations. The parent company has substantial influence over our management and policies and corporate actions, not only in its capacity as the largest shareholder, but also because two of our directors, including our Chairman, hold senior management positions with Chinalco and Chinalco has nominated two of the three members of our Supervisor Committee.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of our issued and outstanding capital stock as of December 31, 2006. The table includes all persons who are known by us to own, either as beneficial owners or holders of record, five percent or more of our capital stock.

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 


 

 

Approximate % of

Holders of Domestic Shares and H Shares

No. of shares

issued share capital

 



 

(in millions)

 

 

- 83 -

 


 

Holders of Domestic Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Chinalco

4,612.2

39.59

 

 

 

China Cinda

900.6

7.73

 

 

 

China Construction Bank

709.8

6.09

 

 

 

China Orient

602.3

5.17

 

 

 

China Development Bank

554.9

4.76

 

 

 

Guangxi Investment

196.8

1.69

 

 

 

Guizhou Development

129.4

1.11

 

 

 

Holders of H Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Alcoa

884.2

7.59

 

 

 

Other public investors

3,059.8

26.27

 

 

 

The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of our issued and outstanding capital stock as of May 31, 2007. The shares and share capital changed as a result of the A Shares issuance and the transfer between China Orient and Chinalco. The table includes all persons who are known by us to own, either as beneficial owners or holders of record, five percent or more of our capital stock.

 

 

As of May 31, 2007

 


 

 

Approximate % of

Holders of Domestic Shares and H Shares

No. of shares

issued share capital

 



 

(in millions)

 

 

Holders of Domestic Shares

 

 

 

 

 

- 84 -

 


 

Chinalco

5214.4

40.46

 

 

 

China Cinda

900.6

6.99

 

 

 

China Construction Bank

709.8

5.51

 

 

 

China Development Bank

554.9

4.31

 

 

 

Guangxi Investment

196.8

1.53

 

 

 

Guizhou Development

129.4

1.00

 

 

 

Lanzhou Aluminum

79.5

0.62

 

 

 

Lanzhou Economy and Information Consulting Company

9.2

0.07

 

 

 

Holders of H Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Alcoa

884.2

6.86

 

 

 

Other public investors

3,059.8

23.74

 

 

 

Public investors of A Shares

1,148.1

8.91

 

 

 

We are not aware of any arrangement that may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of Chalco.

 

On May 9, 2006, we placed 644,100,000 H Shares in the share capital of our Company at a price of HK$7.25 per H Share. The Placing Shares comprise (i) 600,000,000 new H Shares to be allotted and issued by the Company and (ii) 44,100,000 H Shares to be converted from the same number of existing State-owned domestic shares that are to be allocated from Chinalco to the National Social Security Fund Council (the "NSSF") of the PRC, in reliance upon Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933. The Placing Shares represent approximately 5.83% of the existing issued share capital of our Company and approximately 5.53% of the issued share capital of our Company as enlarged by the issuance of the new H Shares. The Placing shares were listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on May 19, 2006.

 

On April 30, 2007, dealings in the A Shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange commenced. We initially offered 1,236,731,739 A Shares in exchange for the existing issued shares held by the shareholders of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum, other than those held by us. Our total share capital increased to 12,886.6 million shares from 11,049.9 million shares.

 

To the best of our knowledge, as of December 31, 2006, none of the outstanding H Shares was held by United States holders of record, and all of the outstanding ADSs were held by 42 United States holders of record. Because only PRC investors can hold domestic shares, there were no non-PRC holders holding the domestic shares of record. Our ADS ratio changed from one (1) ADS representing one hundred (100) H Shares to one (1) ADS representing twenty-five (25) H Shares. The ratio change is effected with respect to

 

- 85 -

 


 

the holders of ADSs of record on October 6, 2006. The new ADSs have been distributed to the holders of ADSs on October 11, 2006.

 

As an owner of at least 30% of our issued and outstanding shares, the parent company is deemed a controlling shareholder and therefore may not exercise its voting rights relating to our shares with respect to various matters in a manner prejudicial to the interests of our other shareholders. See "Item 10. Additional Information - Memorandum and Articles of Association". In accordance with our articles of association, each share of our capital stock has one vote and the shares of the same class have the same rights. Other than the restrictions noted in the first sentence of this paragraph, the voting rights of our major holders of domestic shares are identical to those of any other holders of our domestic shares, and the voting rights of our major holders of H Shares are identical to those of our other holders of H Shares. Holders of domestic shares and H Shares are deemed to be shareholders of different classes for some matters, which may affect their respective interests. Holders of H Shares and domestic shares are entitled to the same voting rights.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

Connected Transactions under Hong Kong Listing Rules

 

Under the HKSE Listing Rules, transactions between connected persons and us constitute connected transactions and such transactions are normally subject to reporting, announcement and/or shareholders' approval unless otherwise waived by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Under the HKSE Listing Rules, Chinalco, Guangxi Associate, Guangxi Baise, Guizhou Development and Shanxi Zhangze, are considered our connected persons. According to certain waivers granted by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on December 22, 2003, our Independent Non-executive Directors must review and certify annually that the contracts entered into between us and our connected persons are based on normal commercial terms that are fair and reasonable. Commencing on June 7, 2004, our Audit Committee pre-approves related-party transactions in accordance with the NYSE Listing Rules. The following transactions are exempted from the strict compliance of the requirements under the HKSE Listing Rules in relation to connected transactions, subject to certain conditions as stated in the waiver letter issued by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

 

Although connected transactions are not synonymous with related party transactions, the concepts are sufficiently similar that the following description of our connected transactions would satisfy the disclosure requirements under U.S. securities laws. See the table below for a list of the amounts paid under such transactions for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

 

We have the following ongoing connected transactions with Chinalco, our largest shareholder, Guangxi Associate, Guizhou Development and Southwest Aluminum.

 

*

Comprehensive Social and Logistics Services Agreement;

 

 

*

General Agreement on Mutual Provision of Production Supplies and Ancillary Services;

 

 

*

Mineral Supply Agreement;

 

 

*

Provision of Engineering, Construction and Supervisory Services Agreement;

 

 

*

Land Use Rights Leasing Agreement;

 

 

*

Buildings Leasing Agreement and Head Office Leasing Agreement - Building leasing

 

 

*

Trademarks License Agreement;

 

 

*

Aluminum Ingots and Alumina Supply Agreement; and

 

 

*

Aluminum Ingots Agency Agreement.

 

 

Comprehensive Social and Logistics Services Agreement

 

Chinalco provides certain social welfare and logistics services on a continuing basis to us. To regulate our relationship with Chinalco in this regard, we have entered into the Comprehensive Social and Logistics

 

- 86 -

 


 

Services Agreement with Chinalco on November 5, 2001 for the provision of social welfare and logistics services.

 

The annual limit is proposed to be increased because (a) the logistics services equipment is expected to be refurnished in 2007 due to the aging of the equipment over the years, and therefore, this will result in increased expenses, (b) since many of our facilities have expanded their production capabilities, there will be an increase in the use of the logistics services provided by Chinalco, and (c) it is expected that Chinalco's costs for providing the services will increase over the previous years and therefore, it will mean increased charges to us.

 

General Agreement on Mutual Provision of Production Supplies and Ancillary Services

 

Chinalco retained certain non-core assets and businesses relating to ancillary production supplies and services which include assets and businesses for, among other things, (a) supply of various raw materials required in the course of production of alumina and primary aluminum; (b) provision of transportation and loading services; and (c) the provision of production supporting service, which continue to provide ancillary production supplies and services to us on an ongoing basis.

 

As the domestic supply of coal, electricity, fuel and logistics services in 2005 and 2006 was tense, it is expected that the situation will remain tense in 2007 and the near future, causing the relevant costs of the production supplies and services of Chinalco to continue to increase. The proposed increase in annual limit is due to an expected increase of costs and charges for Chinalco to provide cement, coal, transportation and other related products and services. The increases in costs and charges are expected to continue to increase in line with the continued growth of the market prices and PRC economic development environment. Further, with the expansion in the Company's production capabilities, there will be a corresponding increase in the use of the products and services provided by Chinalco.

 

In addition, following the completion of several of our newly built alumina facilities, the upgrading of certain of our alumina productions, and the completion of several domestic mergers and acquisitions by us, our production capacity of smelting and alumina is expected to experience significant increases, and the need for the production supplies and ancillary services provided by Chinalco will accordingly increase significantly.

 

Chinalco also retained all its assets and businesses relating to aluminum fabrication (except for aluminum fabrication capacity of Shandong Aluminum). It purchases its supply of primary aluminum as well as other alumina products from us. On the other hand, Chinalco transferred to us (a) operating assets and businesses for the production of alumina, primary aluminum, scrap materials, coal and pitch, and (b) assets and businesses for provision of ancillary production supplies and services which include, among other things, the supply of electricity, gas, heat and water, spare parts and the provision of repair and maintenance services. Such assets and businesses continue to provide ancillary production supplies and services to Chinalco.

 

As the subsidiaries of Chinalco has continued to increase, including companies such as China Aluminum Ruimin Aluminum Strap Company Limited and Lanzhou Liancheng Aluminum Industrial Company Limited, the need for these subsidiaries to purchase our products has also increased accordingly and hence, larger quantities of alumina are being purchased from us. It is expected that Chinalco will continue to acquire more subsidiaries in 2007 to 2009, and these subsidiaries will also purchase their primary aluminum and alumina products from us, and therefore, a proposed increase in the annual limit is deemed appropriate due to the anticipated increase of the sale of primary aluminum and alumina products from us to Chinalco.

 

Mineral Supply Agreement

 

Chinalco retained certain assets and businesses relating to several small bauxite mines and limestone quarries in respect of which the mining rights have not been transferred to us. Chinalco continues to provide bauxite and limestone to us on an ongoing basis. Chinalco also purchases bauxite and limestone from other mines and re-sells the bauxite and limestone to us.

 

To regulate the relationship between Chinalco and us in these respects, we entered into a Mineral Supply Agreement with Chinalco on November 5, 2001.

 

- 87 -

 


 

As two of our alumina production facilities will commence production in 2007, the demand for bauxite and limestone for its production is also expected to increase accordingly. It is also expected that the costs and volume of purchase of these minerals by us will continue to increase in the coming three financial years ending December 31, 2009.

 

Provision of Engineering, Construction and Supervisory Services Agreement

 

Chinalco retained all its operating assets and liabilities relating to metallurgical construction and construction supervisory services and Luoyang Research Institute for Non-ferrous Metals Processing, which specializes in engineering design. The other operating assets and liabilities relating to engineering design services have been transferred to us.

 

Chinalco has provided and continues to provide metallurgical design, construction and supervisory services to us. In turn, we have provided and continue to provide various research and development services relating to engineering design to Chinalco.

 

We have entered into a Provision of Engineering, Construction and Supervisory Services Agreement with Chinalco dated November 5, 2001, which was renewed in December 26, 2006, relating to the provision of such engineering design, construction and supervisory services.

 

Land Use Rights Leasing Agreement

 

Chinalco leased to us all the 453 pieces or parcels of land for the purposes of all aspects of our operations and businesses. On November 5, 2001, we entered into the Land Use Rights Leasing Agreement with Chinalco for the leasing of these 453 parcels of land covering an aggregate area of approximately 58.3 million square meters, which are located in six provinces in the PRC. The annual rent payable to Chinalco is approximately RMB239.1 million.

 

As a result of the adjustment in the standard land price and land use tax made by relevant local authorities in 2004, Chinalco was required to pay an extra tax amount of RMB66.0 million. On January 11, 2005, after arm-length negotiations between Chinalco and us, we agreed to bear the annual tax increment beginning from January 1, 2004, pursuant to which our payment of the rental for land use right increased from RMB173.0 million to RMB239.1 million. We had applied and recommended to the HKSE for the amendment of maximum amount of annual land use right payable by us be adjusted from RMB200.0 million to RMB250.0 million.

 

Due to the adjustment of land tax in Zhongzhou Plant and Shanxi Plant, and at the request of Chinalco, we have agreed to bear the increase in land tax of approximately RMB44.9 million of these two branch factories of the Company. The relevant land use rights were leased to us pursuant to the Land Use Right Leasing Agreement between our Company and Chinalco dated November 5, 2001. Payment by us of the increased land tax for Chinalco will exceed the annual limit of this category of continuing connected transactions of RMB250 million. Therefore, we revise the annual cap for the Land Use Right Leasing Agreement for the year ending December 31, 2006 to RMB290 million. Our Directors consider that the relevant PRC authorities will continue to increase the land rates and land use taxes in the next three years due to the continued and steady growth of the PRC economy and in order to ensure that Chinalco will receive the same amount of rental payment before the increase in land rates and land use taxes, our Directors propose an annual cap of RMB400 million as the annual limit for this category of continuing connected transactions for the coming three financial years ending December 31, 2009.

 

Buildings Leasing Agreement and Head Office Leasing Agreement - Building leasing

 

At the Special General Meetings of the Company held on February 27, 2007, it is approved to aggregate the rental payable to Chinalco under the Buildings Leasing Agreement dated November 5, 2001 with the rent payable under the Head Office Leasing Agreement to China Aluminum Development Company Limited under one category of continuing connected transactions and apply for an aggregate annual limit of RMB100 million for each of the three years ending December 31, 2009.

 

Chinalco transferred to us, among other operating assets, ownership of the buildings and properties for the operation of our core businesses, with Chinalco retaining the buildings and properties for its remaining

 

- 88 -

 


 

operations. We leased to Chinalco and Chinalco leased to us a number of buildings and properties for ancillary uses, which include buildings and properties mainly for offices, dormitory, canteen and storage purposes. The buildings and properties we lease to Chinalco comprise 59 buildings with an aggregate gross floor area of 62,819 square meters. In turn, the buildings and properties Chinalco leases to us for ancillary uses comprise 100 buildings with an aggregate gross area of 273,637 square meters. We entered into the Buildings Leasing Agreement on November 5, 2001 with Chinalco, regarding the terms and conditions for the lease of these buildings and properties.

 

At the time of the 2003 Waiver Renewal, the annual limit for the Buildings Leasing Agreement was set at RMB12 million, being the estimated total amount of rent payable by us to Chinalco in respect of approximately 100 buildings leased by us from Chinalco pursuant to the Buildings Leasing Agreement dated 5 November 2001. Due to the steady growth of the PRC economy, we expect that the aggregate amount of rental payable by us to Chinalco will increase during the next three years. On March 28, 2005, we entered into a tenancy agreement with China Aluminum Development Company Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinalco, in respect of the office premises at 12th to 16th floors and 18th to 31st floors of No. 62 North Xizhimen Street, Hai Dian District, Beijing, PRC with an aggregate gross floor area of 30,160.81 square meters for a term of three years. The annual rent amounts to RMB61.6 million, determined according to the prevailing market rate. The eight months' period from February 15, 2005 to October 14, 2005 during renovation was rent free.

 

Due to the recent increase in rent of office premises in Beijing, we at the request of China Aluminum Development has agreed to make prepayment of the annual rent and property management fees of the leased premises for the remaining two years of the tenancy. The prepayment amounted to RMB145,314,782. Considering the rapid and steady economic growth in the PRC during the past three years and the general trend of rental increase during the same years, the Directors propose an annual cap of RMB100 million for the three years ending December 31, 2009. During 2006, we made a prepayment of RMB74 million per year for the next two years to Chinalco in respect of the head office rental and property management fees.

 

Trademarks License Agreement

 

Chinalco transferred to us, among other trademarks, two trademarks relating to its retained operating assets and businesses. To enable Chinalco to continue operating its retained assets and businesses using these two trademarks, the parties entered into a Trademarks License Agreement dated November 5, 2001 whereby we have granted to Chinalco and its associates free of charge a non-exclusive right to use these two trademarks for ten years from July 1, 2001, but may be extended upon negotiations with Chinalco. Pursuant to such agreement, we are responsible for the payment of a total annual fee of no more than RMB1,000 to maintain the effective registration.

 

Aluminum Ingots and Alumina Supply Agreement

 

Our Directors propose to aggregate the annual limits of the supply of aluminum ingots and alumina to Guangxi Nonferrous Metal under the Aluminum Ingots and Alumina Supply Agreement dated November 5, 2001 with the annual limits of Alumina Supply Agreement with Guangxi Baise under one category of continuing connected transactions and to apply for an aggregate annual limit of RMB450 million for each of the three years ending December 31, 2009.

 

For the two years ended December 31, 2005, the historical amounts of the supply of aluminum ingots and alumina to Guangxi Nonferrous Metal increased from RMB86 million to RMB122 million, respectively. Our Directors estimate that the total amounts of transactions with Guangxi Nonferrous will increase to approximately RMB180 million for the year ending December 31, 2006, which may exceed the annual limit approved by the independent Shareholders in the 2003 Waiver Renewal. By an announcement dated December 13, 2006, we announced the revision of the annual limit of the transactions with Guangxi Nonferrous Metal under this agreement to RMB190 million for the year ending December 31, 2006. Our Directors estimate that the amounts of transactions with Guangxi Nonferrous Metal will be approximately RMB150 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2009.

 

In addition, Guangxi Baise, which is a subsidiary of Guangxi Investments will enter into the Baise Agreement with us for the supply of alumina to Guangxi Baise. As Guangxi Baise is a 48% subsidiary of

 

- 89 -

 


 

Guangxi Investments, it is therefore an associate of Guangxi Investments and a connected person of us. The Baise Agreement between the Company and Guangxi Baise started from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009. Under the agreement, Guangxi Baise shall purchase from us a total of 270,000 tonnes of alumina, of which 70,000 tonnes shall be delivered by us to Guangxi Baise for the year ending December 31, 2007 and 100,000 tonnes shall be delivered for each of the two years ending December 31, 2009.

 

Aluminum Ingots Agency Agreement

 

Guizhou Development has been and continues to be our agent for the distribution and sale of our aluminum ingots and related products for a commission. Such transactions between Guizhou Development and us are connected transactions within the meaning of the Listing Rules.

 

To regulate the relationship between Guizhou Development and ourselves in this respect, we entered into an agency agreement on November 5, 2001 relating to the sale of aluminum ingots by Guizhou Development as our agent.

 

Guangxi Huayin Aluminum Co., Ltd.

 

We established a joint venture company, Guangxi Huayin Aluminum Co., Ltd., with Guangxi Associate and China Minmetals on February 18, 2003 to undertake the construction of an alumina plant to exploit the discovery of a bauxite deposit in western Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. According to a Supplemental Agreement dated July 31, 2005, the total investment of Guangxi Huayin Aluminum Co., Ltd. was increased from RMB10 million to RMB8,491.0 million and 25% of which will be contributed by the shareholders according to their proportionate shareholding in the joint venture company. As a result, we, Guangxi Associate and China Minmetals will contribute RMB701 million, RMB721.5 million and RMB701 million, respectively, from 2005 to 2007. We contributed RMB116.9 million on August 4, 2005, RMB454.0 million in 2006 and expect to contribute the remaining amounts in 2007. The remaining 75% of the total investment of the joint venture company will be financed by bank loans. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Property Plant and Equipment - Our Expansion and Profit Improvement Plan - Guangxi Alumina Project".

 

Huaze Contracting Agreement - management and operations of electricity generators

 

On 15 January 2003, we entered into a joint venture with Shanxi Zhangze for the establishment of a joint venture company named as Shanxi Huaze Aluminum and Power Company Limited ("Huaze Aluminum"). Huaze Aluminum is held as to 60% by the Company and as to the remaining 40% by Shanxi Zhangze. Under the Listing Rules, Shanxi Zhangze is a substantial shareholder of Huaze Aluminum, one of the Company's subsidiaries, and therefore a connected person of us. Huaze Aluminum proposes to enter into the Huaze Contracting Agreement with Shanxi Zhangze by contracting the management and operations of the electricity generators numbers 3 and 4 to Shanxi Zhangze with effect from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009.

 

Amounts Received or Paid Under Material Related Party Transactions

 

During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, we had the following material related party transactions:

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 


 

2004

2005

2006

 




 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 




 

 

 

 

- 90 -

 


 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Sales of materials and finished goods to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Chinalco Group

1,700,746

3,088,968

4,030,852

    Jointly controlled entity

52,424

45,480

11,109

    Associate company

-

570,470

1,342,997

    Other related party

-

85,509

155,885

Provision of utility services to Chinalco and its subsidiaries

219,952

310,438

298,259

 

 

 

 

Provision of engineering, construction and supervisory services by Chinalco Group

830,582

2,176,041

1,453,848

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment from:

 

 

 

    Chinalco and its subsidiaries(1)

115,098

-

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of key and auxiliary materials from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Chinalco Group

633,664

700,829

2,558,883

    An associated company

-

220,772

585,835

Provision of social services and logistics services by Chinalco Group

927,252

951,247

1,044,401

 

 

 

 

Land and building rental charged by Chinalco

239,810

253,805

295,408

 

 

 

 

Building rental charged to Chinalco

-

44,575

50,660

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Our subsidiary, Shandong Aluminum, purchased two kilns from Shandong Aluminum Plant. The purchase price is based on an independent valuation report.

 

 

See Note 34 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of our related party transactions.

 

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

 

See pages F-1 to F-74 following Item 19.

 

- 91 -

 


 

Legal Proceedings

 

In 2006, Fushun Aluminum, our subsidiary, was claimed by several banks to be jointly liable for repayment of loans lent by the several banks to the vendor from whom we acquired the shares of Fushun Aluminum and the claims by the banks are for repayment of a total bank loan of RMB971.19 million. In March 2007, Fushun Aluminum was claimed by another bank to be liable to the bank for repayment of bank loan lent by that bank to the vendor in the sum of RMB283.68 million. Fushun Aluminum was acquired by us from the vendor. Our Directors, after obtaining independent legal advice, are of the opinion that as the acquisition was conducted on a fair principle and the consideration was set close to the asset value of the assets acquired, no contingency provision for such claim is necessary as of December 31, 2006. Therefore, our Directors believe that such proceeding will not have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Dividends

 

Our board of directors declares dividends, if any, in Renminbi with respect to H Shares on a per share basis and pays such dividends in HK dollars. Any final dividend for a financial year is subject to shareholders' approval. The Bank of New York, as depositary, converts the HK dollar dividend payments and distributes them to holders of ADSs in U.S. dollars, less expenses of conversion. Under the PRC Company Law and our articles of association, all of our shareholders have equal rights to dividends and distributions. The holders of the H Shares share proportionately on a per share basis in all dividends and other distributions declared by our board of directors.

 

The declaration of dividends is subject to the discretion of our board of directors, which takes into account the following factors:

 

*

our financial results;

 

 

*

capital requirements;

 

 

*

contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends by us to our shareholders or by our subsidiaries to us;

 

 

*

our shareholders' interests;

 

 

*

the effect on our credit worthiness;

 

 

*

general business conditions; and

 

 

*

other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

 

We may only distribute dividends after we have made allowance for:

 

*

recovery of losses, if any;

 

 

*

allocation to the statutory common reserve fund;

 

 

*

allocation to the statutory common welfare reserve fund; and

 

 

*

allocation to a discretionary common reserve fund if approved by our shareholders and after allocation is made to the statutory common reserve fund.

 

 

The minimum and maximum aggregate allocations to the statutory funds are 15% and 20%, respectively, of our net income determined in accordance with PRC GAAP. Under PRC law, our distributable earnings will be equal to our net income determined in accordance with PRC GAAP or HK GAAP, whichever is lower, less allocations to the statutory and discretionary funds.

 

The Board of directors declared a final dividend of RMB0.214 per share for 2005 and an interim dividend of RMB0.188 per ordinary share for 2006 in respect of the six months ended June 30, 2006. The Board of directors proposed to declare a final dividend of RMB0.115 per share for 2006 which is subject to approval

 

- 92 -

 


 

of shareholders at the shareholder's general meeting to be convened on July 10, 2007. We believe that our dividend policy strikes a balance between two important goals:

 

*

providing our shareholders with a competitive return on investment; and

 

 

*

assuring sufficient reinvestment of profits to enable us to achieve our strategic objectives.

 

 

See "Item 10. Additional Information - Taxation" for a discussion of the tax consequences of receipt of dividends.

 

Other Significant Changes since December 31, 2006

 

On January 16, 2007, we announced that the proposed resolutions approving the respective share reforms, share exchanges and mergers of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum have been duly approved by the shareholders of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum at their respective special general meetings and meetings of the relevant shareholders held on January 15, 2007. Application has been made to the CSRC for the A Share Issue and the formal written approval from the CSRC was received by us on April 20, 2007. We were initially offering 1,236,731,739 A Shares, and the dealings in the A Shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange commenced on April 30, 2007.

 

A resolution relating to the issue of long-term corporate bonds by us in a principal amount not exceeding RMB5 billion was approved at our Special General Meeting held on February 27, 2007. On March 19, 2007, we received the requisite approvals and on June 13, 2007, we issued long-term corporate bonds in the principal amount of RMB2 billion. The proceeds raised from the bonds issuance will be used mainly for renovation or expansion projects of alumina and aluminum.

 

On March 19, 2007, we received the requisite approvals and on June 15, 2007, we issued domestic short-term bonds in the total principal amount of RMB3 billion. The net proceeds of the short-term bonds issuance will be principally used as our working capital.

 

In April 2007, China Orient Asset transferred its entire 5.17% equity interest in the Company or 602,246,135 shares to Chinalco. Upon the transfer, China Orient Asset ceased to be a shareholder of the Company and Chinalco's interest in the Company increased to 40.46%.

 

ITEM 9.

THE OFFER AND LISTING

 

 

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is the principal non-US trading market for our H Shares. Before October 2006, the ADSs, each representing 100 H Shares, have been issued by the Bank of New York as depositary and are listed on the NYSE. Our ADS ratio changed from one (1) ADS representing one hundred (100) H Shares to one (1) ADS representing twenty-five (25) H Shares. The ratio change is effected with respect to the holders of ADSs of record on October 6, 2006. The new ADSs have been distributed to the holders of ADSs on October 11, 2006. No additional H Shares were issued by reason of this change.

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low closing prices for our shares on each of these two stock exchanges:

 

 

NYSE

Hong Kong Stock Exchange

 



Calendar Period

High

Low

High

Low

 





 

(US$ per ADS)

(HK$ per H Share)

 

 

 

- 93 -

 


 

2002

24.25

9.38

1.94

0.73

2003

81.70

14.40

6.15

1.13

2004

 

 

 

 

    First Quarter

85.00

62.85

6.75

4.925

    Second Quarter

91.80

45.88

7.05

3.50

    Third Quarter

66.36

42.71

5.05

3.275

    Fourth Quarter

68.91

56.83

5.40

4.40

2005

 

 

 

 

    First Quarter

66.35

51.20

5.25

4.02

    Second Quarter

61.10

50.04

4.70

3.87

    Third Quarter

62.80

53.64

4.90

4.15

    Fourth Quarter

78.84

57.37

6.10

4.52

2006

 

 

 

 

    First Quarter

109.27

74.74

8.55

5.85

    Second Quarter

110.12

64.15

8.70

5.00

    Third Quarter(1)

78.05

64.72

6.00

4.88

    Fourth Quarter(1)

23.90

15.54

7.50

4.90

    December

24.35

19.65

7.61

5.82

2007

 

 

 

 

    January(1)

25.03

21.74

7.67

6.85

    February(1)

27.34

22.60

8.49

7.47

    March(1)

26.40

21.68

8.19

6.92

    April(1)

30.61

25.99

9.59

8.05

    May(1)

35.11

28.92

10.96

8.95

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Effective in October, 2006, the Company's American Depository Shares (the "ADSs") ratio has been changed from 1 ADS representing 100 H Shares to 1 ADS representing 25 H Shares.

 

 

ITEM 10.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

 

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Our registered office is located at No.12B, Fuxing Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China 100814. Our telephone number at this address is (86) 10 8229 8103.

 

Share Capital

 

On January 6, 2004, we placed 549,976,000 additional H Shares, par value of RMB1.00 each, to certain independent professional and institutional investors who are non-U.S. persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 at a price of HK$5.658 per H Share. Further, on June 9, 2005, the annual general shareholders' meeting passed a resolution to grant the board of directors an unconditional general mandate to issue, allot and deal with additional H Shares not exceeding twenty percent of aggregate nominal amount of H Shares then in issue during the period from June 9, 2005 to the earlier of: (i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting; (ii) twelve months from June 9, 2005; or (iii) the date on which the resolution was revoked or varied by an extraordinary general shareholders' meeting. Such general mandate is subject to approvals by the China Securities and Regulatory Commission and other relevant PRC government authorities. See "Item 4 - Information on the Company - History and Development of the Company - Our H Shares Placement".

 

As approved by the shareholders and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, on April 30, 2007, we initially offered 1,236,731,739 A Shares by way of share exchange with all the shareholders of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum other than us, including the third party or parties (if any) who provide cash alternatives to the shareholders of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum. Because the proceeds from our A Share issuance were used to acquire Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum, we did not raise any funds by the issuance. Our total share capital increased to 12,886,607,892 shares, comprising 7,794,564,567 restricted A Shares, 1,148,077,357 unrestricted A Shares and 3,943,965,968 H Shares.

 

Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

A copy of the English translation of our articles of association was filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-14068) under the Securities Act in connection with a global offering of our H Shares and American depositary shares on December 5, 2001. Subsequently, our articles of association underwent the following amendments:

 

1.

Article 3 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Place of the Company: No.62 North Xizhimen Street, Beijing, PRC

 

Postal code: 100082

 

Tele: (010) 82298080

 

Graphics context facsimile: (010) 82298081"

 

 

2.

In Article 6, reference to "the general meeting of shareholders on 9 June, 2005" is amended to "the general meeting of shareholders on 27 February, 2007"

 

 

3.

The first paragraph of Article 10 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Company may invest in other companies but shall not be an investor jointly liable for the invested company's debts unless otherwise required by law."

 

 

 

The last paragraph of Article 10 is deleted.

 

 

4.

A new paragraph, reading as follows, is added to Article 20 as the second paragraph of that Article

 

 

 

"Contributions by promoters of the Company at the time of incorporation are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Means of

Date of

Promoter

Shares Subscribed

Contribution

Contribution

 

 

 

 

Aluminum Corporation of China

7,673,770,000

Net Asset

June 28, 2001

 

 

 

 

- 95 -

 


 

Guangxi Development Group Limited

196,800,000

Net Asset

June 28, 2001

Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation

129,430,050

Net Asset

June 28, 2001

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

8,000,000,000

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

Article 21 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"After incorporation, the Company issues 2,749,889,968 overseas listed foreign shares, i.e. H Shares, of which 2,499,900,153 are new shares and 249,989815 million stock shares are sold by certain shareholders.

 

 

 

After the foregoing issuing of H Shares, the company has a total of 10,499,900,153 shares with an equity structure as follows: a total of 7.750010185 billion domestic shares, accounting 73.81% of the Company's total equities, including: 4,656,261,060 shares by the promoter Aluminum Corporation of China, accounting around 44.35% of the total equities; 196,800,000 shares by the promoter Guangxi Investment Group Co., Ltd., accounting around 1.87% of the total equities; 129,430,000 shares by the promoter Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation, accounting around 1.23% of the total equities; 1,610,332,210 shares by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation, accounting for around 15.34% of the total equities; 602,246,135 shares by China Orient Asset Management Corporation, accounting around 5.73% of the total equities; 554,940,780 shares by State Development Bank, accounting for 5.29% of the total equities. 2,749,889,968 (H Shares) are to be held by investors of overseas listed foreign shares, accounting for 26.19% of the Company's total equities.

 

 

 

With the approval of the examination body authorized by the State Council, the Company additionally issued 549,976,000 overseas listed foreign shares (H shares) in 2004.

 

 

 

After the foregoing issuing of H shares, the company has a total of 11,049,876,153 shares, comprising 7,750,010,185 domestic shares representing 70.13% of the total equities, including 4,612,161,060 shares by the promoter Aluminum Corporation of China, accounting around 42.14% of the total equities; 196,800,000 shares by the promoter Guangxi Investment Group Co., Ltd., accounting around 1.78% of the total equities; 129,430,000 shares by the promoter Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation, accounting around 1.17% of the total equities; 1,610,332,210 shares by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation, accounting for around 14.57% of the total equities; 602,246,135 shares by China Orient Asset Management Corporation, accounting around 5.45% of the total equities; 554,940,780 shares by State Development Bank, accounting for 5.02% of the total equities; and 3,299,865,968 shares by shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares (H Shares) accounting for around 29.87% of the total equities.

 

 

 

With the approval of the State Council, China Construction Bank Corporation took back the 6.42% of the company's shares it had delegated to the care of Cinda Asset Management Corporation in 2005, and thenceforth directly holds the shares and become a shareholder of the company. It causes no change to the total number of shares of the company but the number of shares held by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation was decreased accordingly.

 

 

 

After the foregoing change of shareholder, the company has a total of 11,049,876,153 shares, comprising 7,750,010,185 domestic shares representing 70.13% of the total equities, including 4,656,261,060 shares by the promoter Aluminum Corporation of China, accounting around 42.14% of the total equities; 196,800,000 shares by the promoter Guangxi Investment Group Co., Ltd., accounting around 1.78% of the total equities; 129,430,000 shares by the promoter Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation, accounting around 1.17% of the total equities; 900,559,074 shares by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation, accounting for around 8.15% of the total equities; 709,773,136

 

 

- 96 -

 


 

 

shares by China Construction Bank Corporation, accounting for around 6.42% of the total equities, 602,246,135 shares by China Orient Asset Management Corporation, accounting around 5.45% of the total equities; 554,940,780 shares by State Development Bank, accounting for 5.02% of the total equities; and 3,299,865,968 shares by shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares (H Shares) accounting for around 29.87% of the total equities.

 

 

 

With the approval of the examination body authorized by the State Council, the Company additionally issued 644,100,000 overseas listed foreign shares (H Shares) in 2006, including 600,000,000 new shares and 44,100,000 existing shares sold by certain shareholders.

 

 

 

After the foregoing issuing of H Shares, the company has a total of 11,649,876,153 shares, comprising 7,705,910,185 domestic shares representing 66.15% of the total, including 4,612,261,060 shares by the promoter Aluminum Corporation of China, accounting around 39.59% of the total equities; 196,800,000 shares by the promoter Guangxi Investment Group Co., Ltd., accounting around 1.69% of the total equities; 129,430,000 shares by the promoter Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation, accounting around 1.11% of the total equities; 900,559,074 shares by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation, accounting for around 7.73% of the total equities; 709,773,136 shares by China Construction Bank Corporation, accounting for around 6.09% of the total equities, 602,246,135 shares by China Orient Asset Management Corporation, accounting around 5.17% of the total equities; 554,940,780 shares by State Development Bank, accounting for 4.76% of the total equities; and 3,943,965,968 shares by shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares (H Shares) accounting for 33.85% of the total issued common shares.

 

 

 

The Company issued 1,236,731,739 A Shares in 2007 upon approval of the shareholders' general meeting by way of special resolutions and upon approval of the State Council authorised approving authorities.

 

 

 

The existing shareholding structure of the Company shall be: 12,886,607,892 ordinary shares of which 8,942,641,924 are held by holders of A Shares, representing 69.39% of the total issued ordinary shares of the Company, 3,943,965,968 shares are held by holders of overseas listed foreign shares, representing 30.61% of the total issued ordinary shares of the Company."

 

 

6.

The second paragraph of Article 28 is amended as follows:

 

 

 

"The company must notify its creditors of the intended capital reduction within 10 days and issue public notice in newspaper within 30 days following the date on which such a decision is made. The creditors have the right to demand the company to liquidate its liabilities or provide corresponding debt service guarantees within 30 days following the receipt of the notification letter or 45 days following the public notice in the newspaper."

 

 

7.

Clause (3) of Article 29 is re-scheduled to become Clause (5), and two additional clauses are added as Clause (3) and (4) respectively, such that the relevant clauses of the Article, as amended, read as follows:

 

 

 

(3)

"Granting bonus shares to employees of the company."

 

 

 

 

(4)

"Shareholders disagreeing with General Meeting's resolution on merger or division of the company and requiring the company to acquire the shares in their possession."

 

 

 

 

(5)

"Other purposes permitted by law and administrative regulations."

 

 

 

8.

The first paragraph of Article 32 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"After the repurchase, the Company must cancel or transfer the repurchased shares before the deadline set by relevant laws and administrative regulations, and file its capital changes with its original registrant in the event of the cancellation."

 

 

9.

Article 39 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

- 97 -

 


 

 

"The stocks are signed by the Company's legal representative, and if required by the securities exchange on which the Company's stocks are listed, by other senior members of the management. The stocks become valid with the Company seal (include the Company's securities seal), which must be authorized by the Company's chair of board. The signature of the Company's chair of the board or other senior members of the management may also take printing form."

 

 

10.

Article 41 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"During their tenures, the director, supervisor, manager and other senior management member shall report periodically to the Company their shareholding of the Company's stock and its changes. Share transfers by the foregoing personnel shall proceed in accordance with laws, regulations and/or applicable listing rules."

 

 

11.

The first paragraph of Article 42 is amended, the original second paragraph is deleted and two new paragraphs is added to become the second and third paragraphs, such that the Article, as amended, is to read as follows:

 

 

 

"All the profits gained by directors, supervisor, general managers, deputy general managers and other senior executives and a shareholder holding above 5% of the Company's shares through selling his shares issued by the Company in six months following the purchase of such shares or through repurchasing his shares issued by the Company in six months following the sale of such shares belong to the Company and the board will take back such proceeds, except that sale of shares will not be subject to the 6-month limit when the seller is a securities company that has become holder of more than 5% of the company's shares as remaining out of the underwritten quantity.

 

 

 

If the board fails to do so as required by the foregoing provision, the shareholder shall have the right to require the board to execute said provision within 30 days. When the board continues to fail the execution within said period of time, the shareholder shall have the right to directly bring a legal action before a people's court in his own name and for the interests of the company.

 

 

 

If the board fails to execute the first provision, the responsible director(s) shall be jointly liable according to law."

 

 

12.

Article 47 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"No registration of changes in the shareholder roster as a result of stock transfer can take place within 30 days preceding the convocation of general shareholder meeting or five days preceding the day on which the Company decides to allocate dividends. The foregoing applies to H Shares shareholders. Note: The present article is not applicable to A Shares shareholders."

 

 

13.

Article 48 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"When the Company convokes a general shareholder meeting, allocates dividend, liquidates or performs other activities that require the verification of equity rights, the board of directors or the general meeting convener must specify a date as the equity rights determination date. The shareholders registered in shareholder roster after closing as at the equity rights determination date are the Company's shareholders entitled to appropriate rights and interests."

 

 

14.

In Article 50, reference to "Article 150" of the Company Law is amended to "Article 144".

 

 

15.

A new paragraph, reading as follows, is added to Article 53 as the last paragraph of that Article:

 

 

 

The Company shall not exercise any of its rights to freeze or otherwise impair any of the rights attaching to any shares of the Company by reason only that person or persons who are interested directly or indirectly therein have failed to disclose their interests to the Company.

 

 

16.

The second clause of Article 54 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

- 98 -

 


 

 

(2)

"Lawfully request, convene, chair, attend in person or appoint a proxy to attend and vote at shareholder's general meetings in respect of the number of shares held;"

 

 

 

 

The Sub-Clause numbered (5)(2)(5) of Article 54 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(5)

"minutes of shareholders' general meetings, resolutions of board meetings and supervisory committee meetings."

 

 

 

 

A new Sub-Clause, numbered (5)(2)(6), reading as follows, is added to Article 54:

 

 

 

(6)

"debenture counterfoils and financial reports of the company."

 

 

 

 

A new Clause (7), reading as follows, is added to Article 54:

 

 

 

(7)

"Shareholders disagreeing with general meetings' resolutions on merger or division of the company may require the company to acquire the shares in their possession."

 

 

 

 

The original Clause (7) of Article 54 is renumbered to Clause (8), which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(8)

"Lodge legal actions before people's courts against acts damaging the company's interests or infringing shareholders' legal rights and interests and claim for relevant rights according to Companies Law or other laws and administrative regulations."

 

 

 

 

The original clause (8) of Article 54 is renumbered as Clause (9), which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(9)

"any other rights specified in laws, administrative regulations departmental rules and the Company's Articles of Association."

 

 

 

17.

The third clause of the first paragraph of Article 55 is rescheduled as the fifth clause, with two new clauses added to become the third clause and the fourth clause, such that the relevant clauses of the Article, as amended are to read as follows:

 

 

 

(3)

"Withdrawal of contribution is not permitted unless otherwise required by laws and regulations."

 

 

 

 

(4)

"Not abuse shareholder's rights to damage the interests of the company or other shareholders; and not abuse the company's independent legal capacity and the shareholder's limited liability to damage the interests of the company's creditors. A shareholder causing losses of the company or other shareholders by abusing his shareholder's rights shall be liable for compensation according to law. A shareholder evading debts and severely damage the interests of the company's creditors by abusing the company's independent legal capacity and his limited shareholder's liability shall be jointly liable for the company's debts."

 

 

 

 

(5)

"other obligations specified in laws, administrative regulations and the Company's Articles of Association."

 

 

 

18.

A new article, reading as follows, is added to the Articles of Association as Article 56:

 

 

 

"The controlling shareholder and actual controller of the company shall not damage the company's interests by virtue of its related position, or otherwise it shall be liable for compensating the resulting losses of the company.

 

 

 

The controlling shareholder and actual controller of the company assumes integrity obligation to the company and its public shareholders. The controlling shareholder shall exercise its rights as investor in strict compliance with law, not damage the legal rights and interests of the company and its public shareholders through profit sharing, asset restructuring, external investment, occupation of funds or providing surety for loans, and not leverage on its controlling position to impair the interests of the company and its public shareholders."

 

 

- 99 -

 


 

19.

The Original Article 56 is renumbered as Article 57.

 

 

20.

The Original Article 57 is renumbered as Article 58, with the last paragraph of the Original Article 57 is deleted.

 

 

21.

The Original Article 58 is renumbered as Article 59.

 

 

22.

The Original Article 59 is renumbered as Article 60, with Clause (13) of the first paragraph thereof is deleted and Clause (14) be rescheduled to become Clause (13). Three new clauses, namely, Clause (14) ,Clause (15) and Clause (16) are is added and the original Clause (15) is amended and rescheduled to become Clause (17), such that the relevant clauses of the Article, as amended, are to read as follows:

 

 

 

(13)

"to examine and approve decisions in relation to share-based remunerations (such as right share or share option etc.) of the employees."

 

 

 

 

(14)

"make decision on purchase or sale of substantial assets within one year that exceed 25% of the company's total assets."

 

 

 

 

(15)

"make decisions on external guarantee matters subject to review and approval by general meetings as required by laws, administrative regulations and the Article of Association of the company."

 

 

 

 

(16)

"review and approve changes of purpose of the funds raised."

 

 

 

 

(17)

"other matters the resolutions concerning which shall be made by the shareholders' general meeting, as stipulated by laws, administrative regulations, department rules and the Articles of Association of the Company."

 

 

 

23.

A new article, reading as follows, is added to the Articles of Association as Article 61:

 

 

 

"Any and all external guarantee matters of the company shall be subject to review and approval of the board. The following guarantee matters shall further be submitted to general meeting for review and approval:

 

 

 

(1)

Any guarantee provided after the gross amount of external guarantees offered by the company and its held subsidiaries has reached or exceeded 50% of the latest audited net asset;

 

 

 

 

(2)

Guarantee offered to an object with an asset-debt ratio of above 70%;

 

 

 

 

(3)

Any single guarantee amounting above 10% of the latest audited net asset;

 

 

 

 

(4)

Guarantee offered to a shareholder, the actual controller of the company or its related parties;

 

 

 

 

(5)

Any guarantee provided after the company's external guarantees have reached or exceeded 25% of its latest audited total assets;

 

 

 

 

(6)

Other guarantee matters to be submitted to general meeting for review and approval as required by laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association of the company.

 

 

 

 

A director, manager, senior deputy manager, deputy manager or any other senior executive of the company shall be liable for compensation when they have caused losses to the company by violating the external guarantee approval authority and review procedure requirements set forth in laws, administrative regulations or the Articles of Association of the company, and the company may bring a legal action against him according to law."

 

 

24.

The Original Article 60 is renumbered as Article 62.

 

 

25.

The Original Article 61 is renumbered as Article 63.

 

 

26.

The Original Article 62 is renumbered as Article 64. The first paragraph of the Original Article 62 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

- 100 -

 


 

 

"Shareholders' general meetings can be annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings. Shareholders' general meetings are held once a year within six months after the end of the previous financial year."

 

 

 

In the second paragraph of the Original Article 62, Clause (2) and Clause (3) is amended and Clause (5) is deleted, such that the relevant clauses of the Article, as amended, are to read as follows:

 

 

 

(2)

"where the unrecovered losses of the Company amount to one-third of the total amount of its paid-in capital."

 

 

 

 

(3)

"where requested by shareholder(s) holding 10 percent or more of the Company's shares for more than ninety consecutive days(the number of shares held shall be the figure as at the date of the written request from the shareholder)."

 

 

 

27.

The Original Article 63 is renumbered as Article 65.

 

 

28.

The Original Article 64 is renumbered as Article 66.

 

 

29.

The Original Article 65 is renumbered as Article 67, and is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"When the Company convenes a shareholders' annual general meeting, the board, the supervisory committee and the shareholder(s) independently or collectively holding more than 3% of the company's shares shall have the right to present proposals to the company.

 

 

 

A shareholder independently or collectively holding more than 3% of the company's shares may present extraordinary proposals and submit them in writing to the general meeting convener 10 days prior to the meeting; the convener shall send a supplementary notice of general meeting to announce such extraordinary proposals within 2 days after receiving them.

 

 

 

Except for the circumstances set forth in the foregoing provision, the convener shall not change the proposals stated in the general meeting notice or include any additional proposals after sending the general meeting notice."

 

 

30.

The Original Article 66 is renumbered as Article 68, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The matter to be discussed and decided at the shareholders' general meeting shall be in accordance with Company Laws and the Company's Articles of Association, and any stipulation of the Company's Articles of Association can be decided at the general meeting of shareholders.

 

 

 

General meetings shall not vote on or make decisions on matters not included in the notice set forth in Articles 65 and 67 herein, or on proposals inconsistent with the requirements of Article 66 herein."

 

 

31.

The Original Article 67 is renumbered as Article 69.

 

 

32.

The Original Article 68 is renumbered as Article 70.

 

 

33.

The Original Article 69 is renumbered as Article 71.

 

 

34.

The Original Article 70 is renumbered as Article 72.

 

 

35.

The Original Article 71 is renumbered as Article 73.

 

 

36.

The Original Article 72 is renumbered as Article 74.

 

 

37.

The Original Article 73 is renumbered as Article 75.

 

 

38.

The Original Article 74 is renumbered as Article 76 and the following sentence is deleted from the Original Article 74:

 

 

 

"In the event that the associated shareholder cannot avoid voting because of special reasons, the Company, with the prior approval of related department, may go through the normal procedure of voting and

 

 

- 101 -

 


 

 

shall give detailed explanation on the issue in the announcement of the resolution made by shareholders at the general meeting."

 

 

39.

The Original Article 75 is renumbered as Article 77.

 

 

40.

The Original Article 76 is renumbered as Article 78.

 

 

41.

The Original Article 77 is renumbered as Article 79.

 

 

42.

The Original Article 78 is renumbered as Article 80. The following sentence is added at the end of the first paragraph of this Article:

 

 

 

"The company's shares held by itself carry no voting right and shall not be included in the total shares with voting shares at general meetings."

 

 

43.

The Original Article 79 is renumbered as Article 81.

 

 

44.

The Original Article 80 is renumbered as Article 82.

 

 

45.

The Original Article 81 is renumbered as Article 83.

 

 

46.

The Original Article 82 is renumbered as Article 84.

 

 

47.

The Original Article 83 is renumbered as Article 85.

 

 

48.

The Original Article 84 is renumbered as Article 86. A new Clause (6) is added to read as follows:

 

 

 

(6)

"The company's purchase, sale of substantial asset or provision of guarantee within one year that exceeds 30% of its latest audited total assets".

 

 

 

 

Clause 6 of the Original Article 84 is re-numbered as Clause 7, and is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(7)

" any other matters set forth by laws, administrative regulations or the Articles of Association and approved by general meetings by way of an ordinary resolution to be of a nature which may have a material impact on the Company and should be adopted by a special resolution."

 

 

 

49.

The Original Article 85 is renumbered as Article 87.

 

 

50.

The Original Article 86 is renumbered as Article 88, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"In the event that independent directors, the supervisory committee, or shareholders independently or collectively holding more than 10% of the company's shares request to convene an extraordinary shareholders' meeting, the following procedures shall be followed:

 

 

 

(1)

Sign one or several written requests identical in form and content asking for the board of directors to convene an extraordinary general meeting or a general meeting of certain class of shareholders and clarifying the agenda of the meeting. Within 10 days after receiving the written request, the board shall give written reply with regard to agree or disagree to convene the extraordinary general meeting.

 

 

 

 

(2)

When the board agrees to convene the extraordinary general meeting, it shall send notice of the meeting within 5 days after making the board resolution thereupon, and the changes to the original proposal as stated in the notice shall be subject to consent of the original proposer.

 

 

 

 

(3)

When the board disagrees to convene the extraordinary general meeting requisitioned by independent directors, it shall give reasons and make an announcement thereof.

 

 

 

 

(4)

When the board rejects the supervisory committee's request for convening an extraordinary general meeting or fails to make a reply within 10 days after receiving the proposal will be deemed as its inability to perform or non-performance of the duty to convene general meetings, in which case the supervisory committee may independently convene and chair the meeting and wherever possible, the

 

 

 

- 102 -

 


 

 

 

convening procedure shall be the same as the procedure observed by the board when calling in general meetings.

 

 

 

 

(5)

When the Board rejects shareholders' proposal for convening an extraordinary general meeting, the shareholders shall propose in writing to the supervisory committee to request the holding of the meeting.

 

 

 

 

If the supervisory committee agrees to hold the meeting, it shall send the general meeting notice within 5 days after receiving the shareholders' proposal, and the changes to the original proposal as included in the notice shall be subject to consent of the original proposer.

 

 

 

If the supervisory committee fails to send the notice within the specified time limit, it will be deemed as failing to convene and chair the meeting, in which case shareholders may independently call in and host the meeting (the shareholders convening the meeting shall hold not less than 10% of the company's shares before announcement of the resolution on holding of the general meeting. Wherever possible, the convening procedure shall be the same as that observed by the board when calling in general meetings.

 

 

 

In the event that the supervisory committee or the shareholders independently convene and proceed with a general meeting on their own as per the foregoing provisions, they shall notify the Board in writing and file with the authority in charge according to applicable requirements. The Board and Board Secretary shall collaborate with the general meeting and the Board shall provide the Shareholders' Register. All reasonable expenses incurred by the meeting shall be born by the Company and deducted from the money payable by the Company to the defaulting directors."

 

 

51.

The Original Article 87 is renumbered as Article 89, and is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"General meetings shall be chaired by Chairman of the Board, or by Vice Chairman of the Board when Chairman is unable to perform his duties or fails to perform his duties and attend the meetings, or by a director jointly elected by majority of directors when Vice Chairman is unable or fails to perform his duties.

 

 

 

A general meeting independently convened by the supervisory committee shall be hosted by chairman of the committee, or by vice chairman of the committee when chairman is unable to perform his duties or fails to perform his duties and attend the meeting, or by a member of the committee jointly elected by majority of all members of the committee when vice chairman is unable or fails to perform his duties.

 

 

 

A general meeting independently convened by shareholders shall be chaired by the representative elected by the convening shareholders.

 

 

 

When a general meeting becomes unable to further proceed due to the chairman's violation of the rules of proceeding, the meeting may elect a person to act as its chairman and continue if so agreed by majority of the attending shareholders with voting power."

 

 

52.

The Original Article 88 is renumbered as Article 90.

 

 

53.

The Original Article 89 is renumbered as Article 91.

 

 

54.

The Original Article 90 is renumbered as Article 92, with the second paragraph and the third paragraph thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The minutes of the shareholders' general meeting shall be kept by the secretary and signed by the attending directors, supervisory committee members, board secretary, the meeting convener or his representative and the meeting chairman.

 

 

 

The resolution(s) adopted by the shareholders' general meeting shall be seen as the summary of the meeting. Both the minutes and the summary of the shareholders' general meeting shall be written in Chinese. The minutes of the meeting accompanied by the book of signatures by the participating shareholders and the powers of attorney of attending representatives etc. shall be kept at the residence of the company for a period of not less than 10 years."

 

 

- 103 -

 


 

55.

The Original Article 91 is renumbered as Article 93.

 

 

56.

The Original Article 92 is renumbered as Article 94.

 

 

57.

The Original Article 93 is renumbered as Article 95, with reference to "Article 95" amended to "Article 97" and reference to "Article 99" amended to "Article 101".

 

 

58.

The Original Article 94 is renumbered as Article 96.

 

 

59.

The Original Article 95 is renumbered as Article 97, with reference to "Article 94" amended to "Article 96".

 

 

60.

The Original Article 96 is renumbered as Article 98, with reference to "Article 95" amended to "Article 97".

 

 

61.

The Original Article 97 is renumbered as Article 99.

 

 

62.

The Original Article 98 is renumbered as Article 100.

 

 

63.

The Original Article 99 is renumbered as Article 101.

 

 

64.

The Original Article 100 is renumbered as Article 102.

 

 

65.

The Original Article 101 is renumbered as Article 103.

 

 

66.

The Original Article 102 is renumbered as Article 104, and the first paragraph and second paragraph thereof are amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

Directors shall be elected at a shareholders' general meeting, for a term of three years (from the election date to the date on which the new Board of Directors is elected by general meeting). At the expiry of a director's term of office, the term is renewable upon re-election, but any Independent Director cannot keep the position continually for over six years.

 

 

 

The List of Director Nominees shall be sent as a motion to the shareholders' general meeting for resolution. The nominee for a Director other than Independent Director shall be named by the Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and a shareholder holding individually or more shareholders holding collectively more than 3% of the total shares with voting rights. The nominated director will be elected by shareholders in general meetings."

 

 

 

In the fourth paragraph of Original Article 102, reference to "Article 100" is amended to "Article 102".

 

 

67.

The Original Article 103 is renumbered as Article 105, and Clause (2) and Clause (3) thereof are amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(2)

"If the nomination of the non-independent director candidate occurs before the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company, and if the applicable law, administrative regulations and/or related regulations concerning the listing have regulations concerning the above-mentioned nomination, the materials in written form concerning the nominee's information as mentioned in Clause (1) of this Article shall be announced together with the resolution of the Board of Directors in accordance with such regulations."

 

 

 

 

(3)

"If a temporary proposal for the election of the non-independent director is put forward by the shareholder(s), either individually or collectively, holding over 3% of the total shares of the Company, which have the right to vote, the below documents shall be submitted to the Company 10 days before the general meeting: the circular in written form concerning the nominated director candidate's intention and the nominee's consent of the nomination, and the written materials of the nominee's information and the nominee's guarantee as mentioned in Clause (1) of this Article. This kind of circular shall be announced neither earlier than the day after the proclamation of the circular concerning the holding the meeting for the election of the director, nor later than the 7th day after the meeting circular."

 

 

 

- 104 -

 


 

68.

The Original Article 104 is renumbered as Article 106.

 

 

69.

The Original Article 105 is renumbered as Article 107.

 

 

70.

The Original Article 106 is renumbered as Article 108. Clause (7) of the first paragraph of this Article is amended as follows:

 

 

 

(7)

"Develop the debt and financial policy of the Company, the plans concerning the increase or decrease of the registered capital of the Company, issuance of the debentures, other securities."

 

 

 

 

A new Clause (9), reading as follows, is added to the first paragraph of this Article:

 

 

 

(9)

"Determine other external guarantee matters subject to approval of general meeting according to laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association of the company."

 

 

 

 

The original Clause (9) of the first paragraph of this Article is renumbered as Clause (10), which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(10)

"Determine the company's external investment, acquisition/sale of assets, asset mortgage, delegated financial management and related transactions within the terms of reference authorized by general meeting."

 

 

 

 

All subsequent clauses are renumbered accordingly.

 

 

 

The original Clause (11) of the first paragraph of this Article is renumbered as Clause (12), which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(12)

"Appoint or dismiss the General Manager of the Company, based on the General Manager's nomination and recommendation, appoint or dismiss the Senior Deputy Manager, the Vice General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary of the Board of Directors, and decide their remunerations;

 

 

 

 

Appoint or change the members of the Board of Directors and the members of the Board of Supervisors of the wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, and appoint, change or recommend the shareholders' representatives, the directors and the supervisors of the jointly-owned subsidiaries of the Company."

 

 

 

The original Clause (15) of the first paragraph of this Article is renumbered as Clause (16), which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(16)

"Decide all important and administrative issues, and sign all the important agreements except for issues to be decided by the shareholders' general meetings as regulated by the Companies Law and this Articles of Association; and"

 

 

 

 

The original Clause (16) of the first paragraph of this Article is renumbered as Clause (17), which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(17)

"Exercise other functions and powers authorized by the shareholders' general meeting and this Articles of Association."

 

 

 

 

The second paragraph of this Article is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Except that issues stated in Clause (7), (8), (9) and (14) shall be passed by two thirds of the directors, all above-mentioned issues shall be passed by over half of the directors."

 

 

 

A new paragraph, reading as follows, is added as the third paragraph of this Article:

 

 

 

"A director related to an enterprise concerned in matters subject to resolution at a board meeting shall neither exercise his own voting power on the resolution nor vote on it on behalf of any other director. The board meeting may proceed when majority of unrelated directors are present, the resolutions of the meeting shall be subject to endorsement of majority of unrelated directors, and the matters requiring votes of

 

 

- 105 -

 


 

 

more than two thirds of all directors shall be subject to approval of more than two thirds of all unrelated directors. When there are less than three unrelated directors attending the board meeting, the matter shall be submitted to a general meeting for discussion."

 

 

71.

The Original Article 107 is renumbered as Article 109.

 

 

72.

The Original Article 108 is renumbered as Article 110.

 

 

73.

The Original Article 109 is renumbered as Article 111.

 

 

74.

The Original Article 110 is renumbered as Article 112. Clause (4), Clause (5), and Clause (6) of the first paragraph thereof is deleted and Clause (7) of the first paragraph thereof is renumbered as Clause (4).

 

 

 

The second paragraph of the Original Article 110 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Vice Chairman of the Board shall assist the Board Chairman and perform duties on behalf of the Board Chairman when he is unable or fails to do so by himself; or a director jointly elected by majority of directors shall perform the duties when Vice Chairman is unable or fails to do so."

 

 

75.

The Original Article 111 is renumbered as Article 113, and the first paragraph of this Article is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The board meeting shall be held at least 4 times per year and convened by the Board Chairman. All directors and supervisory committee members shall be informed of the board meeting 14 days before the meeting."

 

 

 

The second paragraph of this Article and Clause (1) thereof are amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Board Chairman shall convene the temporary board meeting within 10 days of below cases regardless of the foregoing meeting notification time limits:

 

 

 

(1)

Proposed by shareholders representing more than 10% of votes."

 

 

 

76.

The Original Article 112 is renumbered as Article 114, with Clause (2) thereof amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(2)

"If the Board of Directors has not decided the time and the venue of the board meetings, the Board Chairman shall advise all directors and supervisory committee members at least 14 days prior to the meeting about the time and the venue of the meeting via telefax, telegraph, facsimile, courier, registered post, or specifically designated persons, whereas in cases described otherwise by Article 113 of this Chapter, the above-mentioned regulation is not applicable."

 

 

 

77.

The Original Article 113 is renumbered as Article 115, with reference to "Article 112" thereof amended to "Article 114".

 

 

78.

The Original Article 114 is renumbered as Article 116, with reference to "Article 115" thereof amended to "Article 117".

 

 

79.

The Original Article 115 is renumbered as Article 117, with the first paragraph thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

"The directors shall be present in person at the board meeting. In case that a director cannot be present at the meeting, he shall give a written authorization asking another director to be present on his behalf at the meeting. The written authorization shall indicate clearly the name, matter, authority of the authorized agent and the validity term of the authorization."

 

 

80.

The Original Article 116 is renumbered as Article 118.

 

 

81.

The Original Article 117 is renumbered as Article 119, with the sentence "The meeting minutes shall be kept for not less than 10 years." is added at the end of this Article.

 

 

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82.

The Original Article 118 is renumbered as Article 120, with the second paragraph thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The directors who have voted for a resolution of the board meeting that are in breach of laws, administrative regulations, the Articles of Association and general meeting resolutions of the company shall be directly liable of it; the directors who are proven to have voted against such resolution during the voting and whose dissents have been recorded in the cahier of the board meeting can be exempted from liabilities; the directors who have given up his vote, or who have been absent at the meeting and have not authorized another person to be present on his behalf at the meeting shall not be exempted from liabilities; and the directors who have clearly expressed his dissent during the discussion but have not voted against the resolution shall not be exempted from liabilities."

 

 

83.

The Original Article 119 is renumbered as Article 121.

 

 

84.

The Original Article 120 is renumbered as Article 122, the original third paragraph is deleted, with new paragraphs added to become the third paragraph, and the fourth paragraph, such that the Article, as amended, is to read as follows:

 

 

 

"A director may resign before his term of office expires. The director who wants to resign shall submit a written resignation report to the Board of Directors. The independent director who wants to resign shall also explain issues related to his resignation or to the issues that he regards as necessary for shareholders and creditors of the Company to pay attention.

 

 

 

If a director's resignation results in the existing number of members of the Board of Directors to be less than the minimum quorum of the Board of Directors, the director's resignation report shall not come into effect until the vacancy resulted from his resignation is filled by his successor. Other directors of the Board of Directors shall hold a shareholder's general meeting to elect a new director at soonest. Before the shareholders' general meeting makes its resolution, the functions and the powers of the director who wants to resign and other members of the Board of Directors shall be reasonably restricted.

 

 

 

When an independent director has resigned and consequently caused the number of independent directors or board members falls below the quorum or the number required by the Articles of Association, the resigning independent director shall continue to perform his duties according to laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association until and before the replacing independent director assumes the office. The Board shall convene a general meeting to appoint a replacing independent director within two months and if it fails to do so, the resigning independent director may stop performing his duties.

 

 

 

Except for the above circumstance, a director's resignation shall take effect from the time when the resignation report arrives at the Board."

 

 

85.

A new article, reading as follows, is added to the Articles of Association as Article 123:

 

 

 

"Independent directors shall faithfully perform their duties, protect the company's interests and particularly protect the legal rights and interests of public shareholders of the company.

 

 

 

Independent directors shall perform their duties independently without being affected by the company's majority shareholders, actual controller or the institutions or individuals interested in the company's majority shareholders or actual controller."

 

 

86.

The Original Article 121 is renumbered as Article 124, and Clause (4) and Clause (5) of this Article are amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(4)

" If a temporary proposal for the election of the independent director is put forward by the shareholder(s), either individually or jointly, holding over 3% of the total shares of the Company, which have the right to vote, the below documents shall be submitted to the Company 16 days before the general meeting: the circular in written form concerning the nominated director candidate's intention and the nominee's consent of the nomination, and the written materials of the nominee's information and the nominee's guarantee as mentioned in Clause (1) and Clause (2) of this Article.

 

 

 

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(5)

Before the shareholders' general meeting for the election of the independent director, if the applicable laws, rules and regulations and/or the applicable listing rules have related regulations, the Company shall submit the related materials concerning the nominee to the securities authorities under the leadership of the State Council and/or its dispatched institution and the stock exchange where the stock of the Company is listed. If the Board of Directors dissents from the nominee's information, it shall submit its written opinions to the related authorities. The nominee on whom the securities authorities under the leadership of the State Council do not agree shall not be considered independent director candidate. When the shareholders' general meeting is held for the election of the independent director, the Board of Directors of the Company shall explain whether the securities authorities under the leadership of the State Council dissent from the nominee."

 

 

 

87.

The Original Article 122 is renumbered as Article 125.

 

 

88.

The Original Article 123 is renumbered as Article 126.

 

 

89.

The Original Article 124 is renumbered as Article 127, and the Article is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Board of Directors shall apply to the shareholders' general meeting to dismiss or replace the independent director who has not been present at the board meeting in person in succession. Except for the foregoing circumstances or other circumstances preventing a person from the office of director as set forth in laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association, independent directors shall not be dismissed until the expiry of their term of office without reason. The Company shall announce the dismissal before the due date as special issue, while the independent director who believes his dismissal unreasonable may make a public announcement."

 

 

90.

The original Article 125 is renumbered as Article 128, with two new paragraphs added as the second paragraph and the third paragraph, such that the relevant paragraphs read as follows:

 

 

 

An independent director exercising authority described in Clauses (2), (3), (4), (6) and (7) under the present article shall obtain prior consent of more than half of all independent directors, and of all independent directors when the authority concerned in Clause (5) is concerned.

 

 

 

When independent directors engage external auditors and consultants to provide auditing of and advice on the company's specific matters, the company shall bear the costs and expenses incurred therefrom.

 

 

91.

The Original Article 126 is renumbered as Article 129.

 

 

92.

The Original Article 127 is renumbered as Article 130, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Independent directors shall attend board meetings punctually, understand the company's production and operation developments, and initiatively investigate and obtain necessary information and materials for decision making. Independent directors shall submit annual report of all independent directors to general meeting of the Company accounting for the performance of their functions and responsibilities."

 

 

93.

A new article, reading as follows, is added to the Articles of Association as Article 131:

 

 

 

"The company shall establish the working system of independent directors and the board secretary shall actively assist independent directors in performing their duties. The company shall ensure that independent directors enjoy the same information access as other directors, provide relevant information and materials to independent directors in a timely manner, regularly inform the company's business results to them, and organize field visits for them when necessary."

 

 

94.

The Original Article 128 is renumbered as Article 132.

 

 

95.

The Original Article 129 is renumbered as Article 133.

 

 

96.

The Original Article 130 is renumbered as Article 134.

 

 

97.

The Original Article 131 is renumbered as Article 135.

 

 

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98.

The Original Article 132 is renumbered as Article 136, with the second paragraph and the third paragraph thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Company shall have one senior vice president, several vice presidents and one financial controller to assist the president. The senior vice president, vice presidents and financial controller shall be nominated by the president and appointed or removed by the Board of Directors.

 

 

 

The Directors can be appointed concurrently as president, senior vice president, vice president or other senior management positions, but the number of the foregoing directors shall not surpass one-half of the total directors of the Company."

 

 

99.

The Original Article 133 is renumbered as Article 137, with the Article is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The tenure of the president is three years, which can be renewed through reappointment."

 

 

100.

The Original Article 134 is renumbered as Article 138, with Clause (7) thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(7)

"to propose the appointment or dismissal of the Company's senior vice president, vice president(s) and the financial controller."

 

 

 

 

Clause (9) of the Original Article 134 is deleted. All subsequent clauses are renumbered accordingly.

 

 

101.

The Original Article 135 is renumbered as Article 139.

 

 

102.

The Original Article 136 is deleted in its entirety.

 

 

103.

The Original Article 137 is renumbered as Article 140.

 

 

104.

The Original Article 138 is renumbered as Article 141, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"When the president, senior vice president, vice presidents and financial controllers are performing their functions and powers, they shall not change the resolution of the shareholders' general meeting and the Board of Directors, nor shall they exceed the scope of authorization."

 

 

105.

The Original Article 139 is renumbered as Article 142, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The president, senior vice president, vice presidents and the financial controllers in performing their functions and powers shall act honestly and diligently and in accordance with laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association."

 

 

106.

The Original Article 140 is renumbered as Article 143, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"In the event that the president, senior vice president, vice presidents, financial controllers or members of senior management resign, they shall notify, in writing, the Board of Directors three months in advance; in the event that the department managers resign, they shall notify the president in writing two months in advance."

 

 

107.

The Original Article 141 is renumbered as Article 144, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

The Company shall have a supervisory committee. The Supervisory Committee is a standing supervisory agency of the Company which is responsible of the supervision of the Board of Directors and its members and senior officers such as the president, senior vice-president, vice presidents, and financial controllers so as to prevent them from the misuse of authority and infringing upon the legal rights of the shareholder, the Company and the Company's employees.

 

 

108.

The Original Article 142 is renumbered as Article 145.

 

 

109.

The Original Article 143 is renumbered as Article 146.

 

 

- 109 -

 


 

110.

The Original Article 144 is renumbered as Article 147, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The nominee list of Supervisors acted by shareholder representatives shall be submitted to the shareholders' general meeting for resolution. The Supervisors acted by shareholder representatives shall be nominated by the Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and one shareholder or several shareholders holding collectively more than 3% of the total shares of the Company with voting rights. The election and removal of such Supervisors shall be determined at the shareholders' general meeting of the Company. Supervisor committee members shall be elected referring to the non-independent director election procedure set forth in Article 105 herein."

 

 

111.

The Original Article 145 is renumbered as Article 148, which is to read as follows:

 

 

 

The Company's Directors, president, senior vice-president, vice presidents, financial controllers and other senior officers shall not serve as the Supervisor concurrently.

 

 

112.

The Original Article 146 is renumbered as Article 149, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Supervisory Committee shall meet at least once every six months and the meetings shall be convened and hosted by the chairman of the Supervisory Committee, or by a supervisory committee member jointly elected by majority of all supervisory committee members when the committee chairman is unable or fails to perform the duty. The notice of the meeting of the Supervisory Committee shall be sent to all the supervisors no less than 10 days before the meeting is convened. The notice shall contain the following items:

 

 

 

(1)

Date, venue and duration of the meeting;

 

 

 

 

(2)

Subject matter and topics of the meeting;

 

 

 

 

(3)

Date of the notice."

 

 

 

113.

The Original Article 147 is renumbered as Article 150, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"A supervisory committee member's two consecutive failures of either personally attending or authorizing any other member to attend supervisory committee meetings on his behalf will be deemed as his default of duties and the shareholders' general meeting or the employee representatives' meeting shall make decision to remove the defaulted Supervisor."

 

 

114.

The Original Article 148 is renumbered as Article 151, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Any Supervisor may apply for resignation before his service term expires and the stipulations regarding director's tenure and resignation in Chapter Ten of this Articles of Association shall apply to Supervisors."

 

 

115.

The Original Article 149 is renumbered as Article 152. In the first paragraph of this Article, Clause (1), Clause (2), Clause (6) and Clause (8) is amended; the original Clause (5) is replaced by a new Clause (5), such that the relevant clauses, as amended, are to read as follows:

 

 

 

(1)

"to monitor the Company's financial matters, review and present written review opinions on the company's regular reports prepared by the Board."

 

 

 

 

(2)

"to supervise the Directors, President and other senior officers to ensure that they do not act in contravention of any law, regulation or the Articles of Association, to propose dismissals of directors or senior executives violating laws, administrative regulations, the Articles of Association or general meeting resolutions."

 

 

 

 

(5)

"may carry out investigation when finding any abnormal operation of the company; may engage professional accountants or law firms to provide assistance at expense of the company when necessary."

 

 

 

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(6)

"to propose to convene a shareholders' extraordinary general meeting. Convene and chair general meetings when the Board fails to do so."

 

 

 

 

(8)

"to represent the Company in negotiations with or in bringing actions against directors or senior executives."

 

 

 

 

The last sentence of the Original Article 149 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Supervisors may attend board meetings and present queries or advice on the matters subject to resolution at the meetings."

 

 

116.

The Original Article 150 is renumbered as Article 153.

 

 

117.

The Original Article 151 is renumbered as Article 154.

 

 

118.

The Original Article 152 is renumbered as Article 155, with the following sentence is added at the end of the Article:

 

 

 

"The records shall be kept for not less than 10 years."

 

 

119.

The Original Article 153 is renumbered as Article 156.

 

 

120.

The Original Article 154 is renumbered as Article 157.

 

 

121.

The Original Article 155 is renumbered as Article 158, with the words "as a result of mismanagement" of Clause (3) of the first paragraph thereof is deleted.

 

 

122.

The Original Article 156 is renumbered as Article 159.

 

 

123.

The Original Article 157 is renumbered as Article 160.

 

 

124.

The Original Article 158 is renumbered as Article 161.

 

 

125.

The Original Article 159 is renumbered as Article 162.

 

 

126.

The Original Article 160 is renumbered as Article 163, with Clause (11) thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(11)

"not to misappropriate the Company's assets to set up deposit accounts in his own name or in any other name or to use such assets to guarantee the debts of a shareholder of the Company or any other personal liabilities; not lend funds of the company to others or use the company's assets to provide guarantee to others without consent of general meeting or the Board based on knowledge of the matter."

 

 

 

 

The following new paragraph is added as the last paragraph of this Article:

 

 

 

"Proceeds gained by directors, managers and other senior executives by violating the present article shall belong to the company, and the directors, managers or other senior executives shall be liable for compensating the resulting losses of the company, if any."

 

 

127.

A new article, reading as follows, is added to the Articles of Association as Article 164:

 

 

 

"When a general meeting requires attendance of directors, supervisors, managers and other senior executives, they shall attend as required and provide explanations and clarifications in response to shareholders' queries and advice.

 

 

 

Directors, supervisors, managers and other senior executives shall honestly provide relevant information and materials to the supervisory committee and not hinder the committee's exercise of its authority."

 

 

128.

The Original Article 161 is renumbered as Article 165.

 

 

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129.

The Original Article 162 is renumbered as Article 166.

 

 

130.

The Original Article 163 is renumbered as Article 167, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Directors, supervisors, managers and other senior executives shall be liable for compensating losses of the company arising from their breach of laws, administrative regulations, department regulations or the Articles of Association when performing their duties.

 

 

 

Any Director, Supervisor, president or other senior officer of the Company who has left his post without authorization before his tenure is terminated shall compensate to the Company the loss thus incurred to the Company."

 

 

131.

The Original Article 164 is renumbered as Article 168.

 

 

132.

The Original Article 165 is renumbered as Article 169.

 

 

133.

The Original Article 166 is renumbered as Article 170.

 

 

134.

The Original Article 167 is renumbered as Article 171.

 

 

135.

The Original Article 168 is renumbered as Article 172.

 

 

136.

The Original Article 169 is renumbered as Article 173.

 

 

137.

The Original Article 170 is renumbered as Article 174, with reference to "Article 168" amended to "Article 172".

 

 

138.

The Original Article 171 is renumbered as Article 175.

 

 

139.

The Original Article 172 is renumbered as Article 176.

 

 

140.

The Original Article 173 is renumbered as Article 177.

 

 

141.

The Original Article 174 is renumbered as Article 178.

 

 

142.

The Original Article 175 is renumbered as Article 179.

 

 

143.

The Title of Chapter 16 of the Articles of Association is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Financial Accounting System, Profit Distribution And Auditing"

 

 

144.

The Original Article 176 is renumbered as Article 180.

 

 

145.

The Original Article 177 is renumbered as Article 181, with the third paragraph thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Company shall make financial reports at the end of each accounting year and have them examined and verified by accounting firm according to law."

 

 

146.

The Original Article 178 is renumbered as Article 182.

 

 

147.

The Original Article 179 is renumbered as Article 183.

 

 

148.

The Original Article 180 is renumbered as Article 184.

 

 

149.

The Original Article 181 is renumbered as Article 185.

 

 

150.

The Original Article 182 is renumbered as Article 186.

 

 

151.

The Original Article 183 is renumbered as Article 187, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

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"The Company's financial reports shall be prepared according to the requirements of applicable laws, administrative regulations and department regulations."

 

 

152.

The Original Article 184 is renumbered as Article 188.

 

 

153.

The Original Article 185 is renumbered as Article 189.

 

 

154.

The Original Article 186 is renumbered as Article 190, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Company, after distributing this year profits after tax, should draw ten percent of the Company's net profits into the Company's legal reserve funds. When the legal reserve funds exceed fifty percent of the Company registered capital, the Company could stop the drawing.

 

 

 

When its legal reserve funds cannot make up prior year loss, the Company should first make up the loss with this year profits before drawing the legal reserve funds according to above-mentioned clause.

 

 

 

After having drawn the legal reserve fund from the profits after tax, the Company, through the shareholders' meeting resolutions, may draw discretionary reserve fund from the profits after tax.

 

 

 

The remaining profits after the Company making up the loss and setting aside reserve fund shall be distributed according to the shareholders' share proportions. The company's shares held by the company itself shall not participate in profit sharing."

 

 

155.

The Original Article 187 is renumbered as Article 191, and the first paragraph thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Before making up the loss and drawing for legal reserve fund, the Company shall not distribute dividends on shares or carry out any other distributions. The Company dividends should not be attached with any interests unless the Company has not distributed relevant interests on capital to the shareholders on the date due of dividends on shares."

 

 

156.

The Original Article 188 is renumbered as Article 192.

 

 

157.

The Original Article 189 is renumbered as Article 193, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Company's reserve fund (referring to legal reserve fund, discretionary reserve fund and capital reserve fund) can only be applied to make up the Company's loss, expand its line operation or change to increase its capital. Capital surplus shall not be used to offset the company's losses.

 

 

 

The Company can distribute new shares or increase the share denomination according to the shareholders' original share proportions after the shareholders' meeting resolution to change the reserve fund into capital. But when the legal reserve fund is changed into capital, the remaining reserve fund should not be less than twenty-five percent of the registered capital before the capitalization."

 

 

158.

The Original Article 190 is deleted in its entirety.

 

 

159.

The Original Article 191 is renumbered as Article 194.

 

 

160.

The Original Article 192 is renumbered as Article 195.

 

 

161.

The Original Article 193 is renumbered as Article 196.

 

 

162.

The Original Article 194 is renumbered as Article 197.

 

 

163.

The Original Article 195 is renumbered as Article 198, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The Board of Directors can decide to distribute the mid-term or special dividends on shares when it complies with Clause (2) of the first paragraph of Article 60 and Clause (17) of the first paragraph of Article 108."

 

 

164.

The Original Article 196 is renumbered as Article 199.

 

 

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165.

The Original Article 197 is renumbered as Article 200, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

The Company shall appoint a receiving agent for holders of overseas listed foreign shares. The receiving agent shall receive on behalf of such shareholders any dividends or other amounts payable by the Company to them in respect of the overseas listed foreign shares.

 

 

 

The receiving agent appointed by the Company shall satisfy requirements provided under the laws or the relevant provisions of the stock exchange at the place where the shares of the Company are listed.

 

 

 

The receiving agent appointed by the Company for the shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares listed in Hong Kong shall be a trust company registered under the Trustee Ordinance of Hong Kong.

 

 

166.

The Original Article 198 is renumbered as Article 201.

 

 

167.

The Original Article 199 is renumbered as Article 202.

 

 

168.

The Original Article 200 is deleted in its entirety.

 

 

169.

The Original Article 201 is renumbered as Article 203.

 

 

170.

The Original Article 202 is renumbered as Article 204.

 

 

171.

The Original Article 203 is renumbered as Article 205.

 

 

172.

The Original Article 204 is renumbered as Article 206.

 

 

173.

The Original Article 205 is renumbered as Article 207.

 

 

174.

The Original Article 206 is renumbered as Article 208.

 

 

175.

The Original Article 207 is renumbered as Article 209.

 

 

176.

The Original Article 208 is renumbered as Article 210.

 

 

177.

The Original Article 209 is renumbered as Article 211.

 

 

178.

The Original Article 210 is renumbered as Article 212, with the following text is deleted from the 1st paragraph thereof:

 

"The merger or division of the Company shall be carried out under the following procedures:

 

 

 

(1)

The Board proposes an agenda for merger or division of the company;

 

 

 

 

(2)

A resolution by shareholders' general meeting according to stipulations of Articles of Association;

 

 

 

 

(3)

An agreement of Merger and Division reached between all relevant parties;

 

 

 

 

(4)

Upon approval authorization in accordance with laws;

 

 

 

 

(5)

To handle the relevant matters relating to merger or division, such as creditor's rights and debts;

 

 

 

 

(6)

To carry out the dissolve registration or change registration."

 

 

 

179.

The Original Article 211 is renumbered as Article 213, with the second paragraph thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Where the Company merges, the parties to a merger shall sign a merger agreement and formulate a balance sheet and a detailed inventory of assets. The Company shall inform its creditors of the intended merger within ten days following the date on which the merger resolution is adopted, and make

 

 

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announcement in newspaper within thirty days. A creditor may require the company to pay off the outstanding debts or provide appropriate guarantee for the debts within 30 days from the date receiving the notice, or otherwise within 45 days from the date of the announcement when no such notice is received."

 

 

180.

The Original Article 212 is renumbered as Article 214, with the second paragraph and the third paragraph thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Where the Company decides to divide itself, the parties of the division shall sign a division agreement and formulate a balance sheet and a detailed inventory of assets. The Company shall inform its creditors of the intended division within ten days following the date on which the division resolution is adopted, and make announcement in newspaper within thirty days.

 

 

 

The businesses coming into being after division of the company shall be jointly liable for the company's debts prior to the division unless otherwise agreed in writing between the company and creditors prior to the division with regard to the payment of debts."

 

 

181.

The Original Article 213 is renumbered as Article 215.

 

 

182.

The Original Article 214 is renumbered as Article 216, with Clause (4) thereof is amended and a new Clause (5) is added, such that the relevant clauses, as amended, are to read as follows:

 

 

 

(4)

"The company's business license is revoked according to law or the company is ordered to close down or cancelled according to law as a result of its offence of laws or administrative regulations."

 

 

 

 

(5)

"The company is in severe difficulty during its business management and its further existence will cause material loss of shareholders' rights and interests and the difficulty cannot be solved by any other means, the shareholders representing more than 10% of total shares carrying voting rights have requested the People's Court to order dissolution of the company and the court dissolves the company according to law."

 

 

 

183.

The Original Article 215 is renumbered as Article 217, with the first paragraph thereof being amended and the second paragraph, the third paragraph and the fourth paragraph is deleted, such that, the Article, as amended, is to read as follows:

 

 

 

"A liquidation committee shall be set up within 15 days of the Company being dissolved pursuant to Clauses (1), (3), (4) and (5) of the preceding Article, and the composition of the liquidation team of the Company shall be determined by the Board or general meeting, failing which creditors may apply to the People's Court for the establishment of a liquidation committee from specified persons."

 

 

184.

The Original Article 216 is renumbered as Article 218.

 

 

185.

The Original Article 217 is renumbered as Article 219, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The liquidation committee shall inform the creditors of the company of its establishment within ten days following the date of its establishment, and make announcement in newspaper within sixty days following the aforesaid date. The liquidation committee shall register the claims. The liquidation team shall make no payment to creditors during the period of debts claim."

 

 

186.

The Original Article 218 is renumbered as Article 220, with Clause (2) and Clause (4) thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

(2)

"to notify and announce to creditors."

 

 

 

 

(4)

"to pay off taxes owed by the Company and taxes incurred during the liquidation process."

 

 

 

187.

The Original Article 219 is renumbered as Article 221, with the second paragraph thereof is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"The assets of the Company shall be initially applied to the payment of the liquidation fee, after which the assets shall be applied to the payment of the following items in accordance with the following

 

 

- 115 -

 


 

 

sequences: (i) salaries payable to employees; (ii) social security contribution and legal compensations; (iii) unpaid tax balances; (iv) bank loans, Company debentures and other debts of the Company."

 

 

 

The last paragraph of the Original Article 219 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"During liquidation, the Company may not engage in new business activities that are irrelevant to the liquidation."

 

 

188.

The Original Article 220 is renumbered as Article 222.

 

 

189.

The Original Article 221 is renumbered as Article 223.

 

 

190.

The Original Article 222 is renumbered as Article 224.

 

 

191.

The Original Article 223 is renumbered as Article 225.

 

 

192.

The Original Article 224 is renumbered as Article 226.

 

 

193.

The Original Article 225 is renumbered as Article 227.

 

 

194.

The Original Article 226 is renumbered as Article 228.

 

 

195.

The Original Article 227 is renumbered as Article 229.

 

 

196.

The Original Article 228 is renumbered as Article 230.

 

 

197.

The Original Article 229 is renumbered as Article 231.

 

 

198.

The Original Article 230 is renumbered as Article 232, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"Unless otherwise required, any notice or report that is stipulated to be delivered by the Articles of Association, the Company shall publish the public announcement on one or more national newspapers designated by securities regulatory authority of the State Council and other Chinese publications designated by the Board of Directors and publish the same public announcement at least on one major English and one major Chinese newspaper in Hong Kong in English and Chinese on the same day."

 

 

199.

The Original Article 231 is renumbered as Article 233.

 

 

200.

The Original Article 232 is renumbered as Article 234.

 

 

201.

The Original Article 233 is renumbered as Article 235.

 

 

202.

The Original Article 234 is renumbered as Article 236, which is amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

"In the Articles of Association, the term "accounting firm" shall have the same meaning as "auditors"".

 

 

See Exhibit 1.1 for the full text of the article of association.

 

Material Contracts

 

On March 12, 2007, we entered into a sponsorship agreement with CITIC Securities Co., Ltd. and China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd. in relation to share swap merger of Shandong Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. and Lanzhou Aluminum Co., Ltd. and public issue of our A Shares. Please see "Item 4 - Information on the Company - the A Shares Offering" and "Item 19 - Exhibit 4.2".

 

Exchange Controls

 

The existing foreign exchange regulations have significantly reduced government foreign exchange controls for transactions under the current account, including trade and service related foreign exchange transactions and payment of dividends. We may undertake current account foreign exchange transactions without prior

 

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approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange by producing commercial documents evidencing such transactions, provided that they are processed through Chinese banks licensed to engage in foreign exchange transactions. The PRC government has stated publicly that it intends to make the Renminbi freely convertible in the future. However, we cannot predict whether the PRC government will continue its existing foreign exchange policy and when the PRC government will allow free conversion of Renminbi to foreign currency.

 

Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account, including principal payments in respect of foreign currency-denominated obligations, continue to be subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. These limitations could affect our ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing, or to obtain foreign exchange for capital expenditures.

 

Since 1994, the conversion of Renminbi into Hong Kong and United States dollars has been based on rates set by the People's Bank of China, which are set daily based on the previous day's PRC interbank foreign exchange market rate and current exchange rates on the world financial markets. Although the Renminbi US dollar exchange rate has been relatively stable since 1994, we cannot predict nor give any assurance of its future stability. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the value, translated or converted into US dollars or Hong Kong dollars, of our net assets, earnings and any declared dividends. We cannot give any assurance that any future movements in the exchange rate of the Renminbi against the US dollar and other foreign currencies will not adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Taxation

 

China Taxation

 

The following discussion summarizes the material PRC tax provisions relating to the ownership and disposition of H Shares or ADSs purchased in connection with the global offering and held by the investor as capital assets.

 

Dividends Paid to Individual Investors

 

Under the Provisional Regulations of China Concerning Questions of Taxation on Enterprises Experimenting with the Share System (the "Provisional Regulations") and other applicable tax laws and regulations, dividends paid by Chinese companies to individuals are generally subject to a PRC withholding tax of 20%. However, on July 21, 1993, the PRC State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Concerning the Taxation of Gains on Transfer and Dividends from Shares (Equities) Received by Foreign Investment Enterprises, Foreign Enterprises and Foreign Individuals (the "Tax Provisions governing the ownership threshold above which such ownership must be disclosed Notice"). Under the Tax Notice, dividends paid by a Chinese company to foreign persons with respect to shares listed on an overseas stock exchange, or Overseas Shares, including the H Shares and ADSs, are exempt from PRC withholding taxes for the time being. However, if the Tax Notice is withdrawn, we will withhold such taxes as required by law.

 

The Individual Income Tax Law of China was amended effective January 1, 1994 and states that it supersedes any contradictory prior administrative regulation concerning individual income tax. The amended Individual Income Tax Law can be interpreted as providing that all non-PRC individuals are subject to the 20% withholding tax on dividends paid by a Chinese company on its Overseas Shares unless specifically exempted by the financial authority of the State Council of the PRC. However, in a letter dated July 26, 1994 to the former State Commission for Restructuring the Economic System, the former State Council Securities Committee and the CSRC, the PRC State Administration of Taxation restated the exemption. In the event that the letter is withdrawn, a 20% tax may be withheld on dividends paid to non-PRC individual holders of H Shares or ADSs, subject to reduction by an applicable tax treaty between China and the country where such holders reside. To date, the relevant tax authorities have not collected withholding tax from dividend payments on such shares exempted under the Tax Notice.

 

Dividends Paid to Non-PRC Enterprises

 

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According to the Provisional Regulations and other applicable tax laws and regulations, dividends paid by Chinese companies to non-PRC enterprises are ordinarily subject to a China withholding tax levied at a flat rate of 20%. However, according to the Tax Notice, a non-PRC enterprise with no permanent establishment in China receiving dividends paid on Overseas Shares is currently exempt from the 20% withholding tax. If the Tax Notice is withdrawn and such withholding tax becomes applicable in the future, such rate may still be reduced under relevant tax treaties, if applicable.

 

Tax Treaties

 

Non-PRC shareholders who are residents or citizens of a country that has entered into a double-taxation treaty with China may be entitled to a reduction in the amount of tax withheld, if any, imposed on the payment of dividends. China currently has such treaties with a number of countries, including:

 

*

the United States;

 

 

*

Australia;

 

 

*

Canada;

 

 

*

France;

 

 

*

Germany;

 

 

*

Japan;

 

 

*

Malaysia;

 

 

*

Singapore;

 

 

*

the United Kingdom; and

 

 

*

the Netherlands.

 

 

Under each one of such treaties, the rate of withholding tax imposed by China's taxation authorities is generally reduced. For example, under the double taxation treaty between China and the United States, China may tax dividends paid by us to an eligible U.S. holder up to a maximum of 10% of the gross amount received by such person. Under the treaty, an eligible U.S. holder is a person who, by reason of domicile, residence, place or head office, place of incorporation or any other criterion of similar nature is subject to taxation in the United States, as applicable under the treaty's "treaty shopping provisions".

 

Capital Gains

 

The Tax Notice provides that gains realized by non-PRC enterprises upon the sale of Overseas Shares which are not held by entities established by such enterprises in China and gains realized by non-PRC individuals upon the sale of Overseas Shares are not subject to withholding tax for the time being. However, as far as individuals are concerned, the Individual Income Tax Law of China, as amended on October 31, 1993 and effective on January 1, 1994, provides for a capital gains tax of 20% on individuals. On January 28, 1994, the Provisions for Implementing the Individual Income Tax Law of China was promulgated which provides that the measures to levy individual income tax on the gains realized on the sale of shares will be made in the future by the Ministry of Finance and subject to the approval of the State Council. On June 20, 1994, February 9, 1996 and March 30, 1998, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation issued notices providing that temporarily no capital gains tax will be imposed on gains from the sale of shares by individuals. However, it is uncertain whether the above exemption for non-PRC enterprises and non-PRC individuals will continue to apply or to be renewed in the future. If such exemption does not apply or is not renewed, and the Tax Notice is found not to apply, holders of H Shares or ADSs might be subject to a 20% tax on capital gains, unless reduced by an applicable double taxation treaty.

 

Under the Tax Reduction Notice, beginning from January 1, 2001, enterprise income tax at a reduced 10% rate will apply to interest, rental, license fees and other income obtained in China by non-PRC enterprises without agencies or establishments in China or by non-PRC enterprises of which such incomes do not have

 

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any substantive relationship with their agency or establishment in China. Therefore, if the exemption as described in the preceding paragraph does not apply or is not renewed, and the Tax Reduction Notice is found not to apply, a non-PRC enterprise shareholder might be subject to a 20% tax on capital gains, unless reduced by an applicable double taxation treaty.

 

Additional China Tax Considerations

 

Under the Provisional Regulations of the PRC Concerning the Stamp Duty, a stamp duty is not imposed by China on the transfer of shares, such as the H Shares or ADSs, of Chinese publicly traded companies that take place outside of China.

 

United States Federal Income Taxation

 

Each potential investor is strongly urged to consult his or her own tax advisor to determine the particular United States federal, state, local, treaty and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning or disposing of the H Shares or ADSs.

 

U.S. Holders

 

The following is a general discussion of material United States federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the H Shares or ADSs if you are a U.S. holder, as defined below, and hold the H Shares or ADSs as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). This discussion does not address all of the tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the H Shares or ADSs, and does not take into account U.S. holders who may be subject to special rules including:

 

*

tax-exempt entities;

 

 

*

partnerships or other entities treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes

 

 

*

banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies;

 

 

*

real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies and grantor trusts;;

 

 

*

dealers or traders in securities , commodities or currencies;

 

 

*

U.S. holders liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

 

*

U.S. holders that own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of our voting stock;

 

 

*

persons who receive the H Shares or ADSs as compensation for services;

 

 

*

U.S. holders that hold the H Shares or ADSs as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction;

 

 

*

certain U.S. expatriates; or

 

 

*

U.S. holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.

 

 

Moreover, this description does not address United States federal estate and gift taxes or any state or local tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the H Shares or ADSs.

 

This discussion is based on the Code, its legislative history, final, temporary and proposed United States Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions as in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, or changes in interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this discussion is based in part upon representations of the depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreements will be performed according to its terms.

 

You are a "U.S. holder" if you are a beneficial owner of H Shares or ADSs and are:

 

*

an individual citizen or resident of the United States for United States federal income tax purposes;

 

 

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*

a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes created or organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof;

 

 

*

any entity created or organized in or under the laws of any other jurisdiction if treated as a United States corporation pursuant to United States federal income tax laws;

 

 

*

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax without regard to its source; or

 

 

*

a trust:

 

 

*

subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and the control of one or more United States persons; or

 

 

*

that has elected to be treated as a United States person under applicable United States Treasury regulations.

 

 

If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for United States federal tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the H Shares or ADSs, the treatment of the partner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If an investor is a partner in a partnership that holds H Shares or ADSs, such investor should consult its tax advisor.

 

We urge you to consult your tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state, local and non-United States tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the H Shares or ADSs.

 

In general, if you hold ADRs evidencing ADSs, you will be treated as the owner of the H Shares represented by the ADSs. The following discussion assumes that we are not a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, as discussed under "PFIC Rules" below.

 

Distributions on the H Shares or ADSs

 

The gross amount of any distribution (without reduction for any Chinese tax withheld) we make on the H Shares or ADSs out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) will be includible in your gross income as ordinary dividend income when the distribution is actually or constructively received by you, or by the depositary in the case of ADSs. Distributions that exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to you to the extent of your basis in the H Shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain. Any dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to United States corporations in respect of dividends received from United States corporations. The amount of any distribution of property other than cash will be the fair market value of such property on the date of such distribution.

 

Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the U.S. dollar amount of dividends received by an individual, trust or estate prior to January 1, 2011 with respect to the H Shares or ADSs will be subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 15% if the dividends are "qualified dividends." Dividends paid on H Shares or ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends if either (i) we are eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, has approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules, or (ii) the dividends are with respect to ADSs readily tradable on a U.S. securities market, provided that we were not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and are not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a PFIC. The Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the People's Republic of China for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (the "Treaty") has been approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules, and we expect to qualify for benefits under the Treaty. Moreover, the ADSs are currently traded on the NYSE. Finally, based on our audited financial statements and relevant market data, we believe that we did not satisfy the definition for PFIC status for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to our 2006 taxable year. In addition, based on our audited financial statements and our current expectations regarding the value and nature of our assets, the sources and nature of our income, and relevant market data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for our 2007 taxable year or any future year. However, our status in future years will depend on our

 

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income and assets (which for this purpose depends in part on the market value of the H Shares or ADSs) in those years. See the discussion of the PFIC rules below.

 

The U.S. Treasury has announced its intention to promulgate rules pursuant to which holders of common stock and intermediaries through whom such stock is held will be permitted to rely on certifications from issuers to establish that dividends are treated as qualified dividends. Because such procedures have not yet been issued, it is not clear whether we will be able to comply with them. Holders of H Shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in light of their own particular circumstances.

 

If we make a distribution paid in HK dollars, you will be considered to receive the U.S. dollar value of the distribution determined at the spot HK dollar/U.S. dollar rate on the date such distribution is received by you or by the depositary, regardless of whether you or the depositary convert the distribution into U.S. dollars. Any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the dividend payment is includible in your income to the date you or the depositary convert the distribution into U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss from U.S. sources.

 

Subject to various limitations, any Chinese tax withheld from distributions in accordance with the Treaty will be deductible or creditable against your United States federal income tax liability. For foreign tax credit limitation purposes, dividends paid on the H Shares or ADSs will be foreign source income, and generally will be treated as "passive income" or, in the case of other U.S. holders, "financial services income" for taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2006. With respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, the foreign tax credit limitation categories will be limited to "passive category income" and "general category income." To the extent dividends are qualifying dividend income, in computing foreign tax credit limitations, individuals, trusts and estates must take into account the gross amount of the dividend multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the special reduced rate described above, and the denominator of which is the highest ordinary income rate. Whether this partial exclusion will affect your ability to claim a foreign tax credit for the full amount of any Chinese tax withheld will depend on your particular circumstances. Each such recipient should consult its own tax adviser concerning the foreign tax credit limitation implications of the receipt of a qualifying dividend.

 

You may not be able to claim a foreign tax credit (and instead may claim a deduction) for non-United States taxes imposed on dividends paid on the H Shares or ADSs if you (i) have held the H Shares or ADSs for less than a specified minimum period during which you are not protected from risk of loss with respect to such shares, (ii) are obligated to make payments related to the dividends (for example, pursuant to a short sale) or (iii) hold the H Shares or ADSs in an arrangement in which your expected economic return, after non-United States taxes, is insubstantial.

 

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition

 

Upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of the H Shares or ADSs, you will generally recognize capital gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized and your tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, in such H Shares or ADSs. Any gain or loss will generally be United States source gain or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes and as a result of the U.S. foreign tax credit limitation, foreign taxes, if any, imposed upon capital gains in respect of H Shares or ADSs may not be currently creditable. Capital gain of certain non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals, is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15 percent where the property has been held more than one year. Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to significant limitations.

 

If you are paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date of the payment resulting from sale, exchange or other disposition is made to the date you convert the payment into U.S. dollars will be treated as United States source ordinary income or loss.

 

PFIC Rules

 

In general, a foreign corporation is a PFIC for any taxable year in which, after applying relevant look-through rules with respect to the income and assets of subsidiaries:

 

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*

75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income, such as dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the sale of assets that give rise to such income; or

 

 

*

50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.

 

 

We believe that we will not meet either of the PFIC tests in the current or subsequent taxable years and therefore will not be treated as a PFIC for such periods. However, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC in the current or subsequent taxable years.

 

If we were a PFIC in any taxable year that you held the H Shares or ADSs, you generally would be subject to special rules with respect to "excess distributions" made by us on the H Shares or ADSs and with respect to gain from your disposition of the H Shares or ADSs. An "excess distribution" generally is defined as the excess of the distributions you receive with respect to the H Shares or ADSs in any taxable year over 125% of the average annual distributions you have received from us during the shorter of the three preceding years, or your holding period for the H Shares or ADSs. Generally, you would be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain from the disposition of the H Shares or ADSs ratably over your holding period for the H Shares or ADSs. The portion of the excess distribution or gain allocated to a prior taxable year, other than a year prior to the first year in which we became a PFIC, would be taxed at the highest United States federal income tax rate on ordinary income in effect for such taxable year, and you would be subject to an interest charge on the resulting tax liability, determined as if the tax liability had been due with respect to such particular taxable years. The portion of the excess distribution or gain that is not allocated to prior taxable years, together with the portion allocated to the years prior to the first year in which we became a PFIC, would be included in your gross income for the taxable year of the excess distribution or disposition and taxed as ordinary income.

 

The foregoing rules with respect to excess distributions and dispositions may be avoided or reduced if you are eligible for and timely make a valid "mark-to-market" election. If your H Shares or ADSs were treated as shares regularly traded on a "qualified exchange" for United States federal income tax purposes and a valid mark-to-market election was made, in calculating your taxable income for each taxable year you generally would be required to take into account as ordinary income or loss the difference, if any, between the fair market value and the adjusted tax basis of your H Shares or ADSs at the end of your taxable year. However, the amount of loss you would be allowed is limited to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election. The NYSE in which the ADSs will be traded is a qualified exchange for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

Alternatively, a timely election to treat us as a qualified electing fund under Section 1295 of the Code could be made to avoid the foregoing rules with respect to excess distributions and dispositions. You should be aware, however, that if we become a PFIC, we do not intend to satisfy record keeping requirements that would permit you to make a qualified electing fund election.

 

If you own the H Shares or ADSs during any year that we are a PFIC, you must file IRS Form 8621. We encourage you to consult your own tax advisor concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of holding the H Shares or ADSs that would arise if we were considered a PFIC.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

In general, information reporting requirements will apply to dividends in respect of the H Shares or ADSs or the proceeds of the sale, exchange, or redemption of the H Shares or ADSs paid within the United States, and in some cases, outside of the United States, other than to various exempt recipients, including corporations. In addition, you may, under some circumstances, be subject to "backup withholding" with respect to dividends paid on the H Shares or ADSs or the proceeds of any sale, exchange or transfer of the H Shares or ADSs, unless you

 

*

are a corporation or fall within various other exempt categories, and, when required, demonstrate this fact; or

 

 

- 122 -

 


 

*

Provide a correct taxpayer identification number on a properly completed IRS Form W-9 or a substitute form, certify that you are exempt from backup withholding and otherwise comply with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

 

 

Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be creditable against your United States federal income tax liability provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS in a timely manner. If you do not provide a correct taxpayer identification number you may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.

 

Hong Kong Taxation

 

The following discussion summarizes the material Hong Kong tax provisions relating to the ownership of H Shares or ADSs purchased in connection with the global offering and held by you.

 

Dividends

 

Under current practice, no tax will be payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us.

 

Taxation of Capital Gains

 

No tax is generally imposed in Hong Kong in respect of capital gains from the sale of property (such as the H Shares). Trading gains from the sale of property by persons carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong, where such gains are derived from or arise in Hong Kong from such trade, profession or business, will be chargeable to Hong Kong profits tax, which is currently imposed at the rate of 17.5% on corporations and at a maximum rate of 16.0% on individuals. Gains from sales of the H Shares effected on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will be considered to be derived from or arise in Hong Kong. Liability for Hong Kong profits tax would thus arise in respect of trading gains from sales of H Shares realized by persons carrying on a business of trading or dealing in Hong Kong in securities.

 

There will generally be no liability for Hong Kong profits tax in respect of profits from the sale of ADSs, where purchases and sales of ADSs are effected outside Hong Kong, e.g. on the NYSE.

 

Hong Kong Stamp Duty

 

Hong Kong stamp duty will be payable by each of the seller and the purchaser for every sale and purchase, respectively, of the H Shares. Stamp duty is charged at the rate of 0.2% of the value of the H Shares transferred (the buyer and seller each paying half of such stamp duty). In addition, a fixed duty of HK$5 is currently payable on an instrument of transfer of H Shares. If one of the parties to a sale is a non-resident of Hong Kong and does not pay the required stamp duty, the duty not paid will be assessed on the instrument of transfer (if any), and the transferee will be liable for payment of such duty.

 

The withdrawal of H Shares when ADSs are surrendered, and the issuance of ADSs when H Shares are deposited, may be subject to Hong Kong stamp duty at the rate described above for sale and purchase transactions, unless the withdrawal or deposit does not result in a change of beneficial ownership in the H Shares under Hong Kong law. The issuance of ADSs for deposited H Shares issued directly to the depositary or for the account of the depositary should not lead to a Hong Kong stamp duty liability. You are not liable for the Hong Kong stamp duty on transfers of ADSs outside of Hong Kong so long as it does not result in a change of beneficial interest in the H Shares.

 

Hong Kong Estate Duty

 

Hong Kong estate duty was abolished with effect from February 11, 2006.

 

Comparison of NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and PRC Corporate Governance Rules For Listed Companies

 

Under the amended Corporate Governance Rules of NYSE, foreign issuers (including us) listed on the NYSE are required to disclose a summary of the significant differences between their domestic corporate

 

- 123 -

 


 

governance rules and NYSE corporate governance rules that would apply to a U.S. domestic issuer. We have posted a description of such differences on our website: http://www.chalco.com.cn/report/2005_e_06.pdf.

 

Documents on Display

 

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Act, file certain reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any report, statement or other information filed by us at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our reports and other information filed with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov .

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders.

 

ITEM 11.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

 

We are exposed to various types of market risks, including credit risk relating to financial assets, changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and the prices of alumina and primary aluminum, in the normal course of business.

 

We borrow short-term and long-term funds, including variable-rate debt, principally denominated in Renminbi. We hedge a limited amount of our sales through trading of futures contracts on the Shanghai Futures Exchange. Our hedging activities are subject to policies approved by our senior management. Substantially all of the financial instruments we hold are for purposes other than trading.

 

The following discussion, which constitutes "forward-looking statements" that involve risk and uncertainties, summarize our market-sensitive financial instruments including fair value, maturity and contract terms. Such discussions address market risk only and do not present other risks, which we face in the normal course of business.

 

Credit Risk

 

The carrying amount of accounts and other receivables included in the balance sheet represent our maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to our financial assets. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers and believe that we have made adequate provision for uncollectible accounts and other receivables in the financial statements.

 

None of our major customers exceed 10% of total revenue and do not individually present a material risk to our sales.

 

We maintain substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents in interest-bearing accounts in several major financial institutions in the PRC. No other financial assets carry a significant exposure to credit risk.

 

We use the majority of our futures contracts traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange and LME to hedge against adverse fluctuations in aluminum prices and do not hold other derivatives instruments. The futures contracts are marked to market at balance sheet dates and corresponding unrealized holding gains (loss) are recorded in the income statement for the year. The fair value of the unrealized holding losses for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006 were RMB4,972,000, RMB8,360,000 and RMB5,703,000, respectively.

 

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

 

We conduct our business primarily in Renminbi, which is also our functional and reporting currency. We convert a portion of our Renminbi revenue into other currencies to meet foreign currency financial obligations and to pay for imported equipment and materials.

 

- 124 -

 


 

Many foreign currency exchange transactions involving Renminbi, including foreign exchange transactions under our capital account, are subject to foreign exchange controls and require the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. Actions taken by the PRC government could cause future exchange rates to vary significantly from current or historical exchange rates. Although the Renminbi to U.S. dollar exchange rate has been relatively stable since 1994, we cannot predict nor give any assurance of its future stability. Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect the value, translated or converted into U.S. dollars or Hong Kong dollars, of our net assets, earnings and any declared dividends. We cannot assure you that any future movements in the exchange rates of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies will not adversely affect our operating performances and financial condition.

 

As of December 31, 2006, our foreign currency denominated loans amounted to RMB9.0 million, all of which was denominated in Danish Krone. In addition, our foreign currency denominated short-term bank deposits amounted to RMB451.7 million, of which RMB239.5 million was denominated in U.S. dollars, RMB196.8 million was denominated in Australian dollars, RMB9.5 million was denominated in Hong Kong dollars, RMB4.0 million was denominated in euros and RMB2.0 million was denominated in Swiss francs. Most of our sales are domestic and as such we have a limited amount of foreign currency denominated accounts receivable.

 

A significant depreciation in the Renminbi against major foreign currencies could have an adverse impact on our capital expenditures program. We have incurred relatively small amounts of foreign currency denominated debt for capital expenditures primarily relating to development of our alumina refineries, and may incur foreign currency denominated debt in the future. To the extent the Renminbi devalues against any of these currencies, it would correspondingly increase our repayment costs on such loans.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We are exposed to interest rate risk resulting from fluctuations in interest rates on our debt, primarily on our long-term debt obligations. Our debt consists of fixed and variable-rate debt obligations with original maturities ranging from one to 15 years. We undertake debt obligations to support general corporate purposes including capital expenditures and working capital needs. Upward fluctuations in interest rates increase the cost of new debt and the interest cost of outstanding variable rate borrowings. Fluctuations in interest rates can also lead to significant fluctuations in the fair values of our debt obligations. We do not currently use any derivative instruments to modify the nature of our debt so as to manage our interest rate risk.

 

The table below sets forth information about our interest rate sensitive financial instruments, including foreign currency denominated debt instruments that are sensitive to foreign currency exchange rates. The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates. The information is presented in Renminbi equivalents. We do not have any capital lease obligations. The information below should be read in conjunction with our audited balance sheets and Note 17 to our audited financial statements.

 

 

Expected Maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 and

 

Fair

 

2007

2008

2009

2010

thereafter

Total

value

 








 

(in thousands, except percentage data)

 

 

Short-term loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 125 -

 


 

Fixed rate (RMB)

2,762,040

-

-

-

-

2,762,040

2,762,040

Average interest rate

5.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable rate (RMB)

2,349,760

2,081,600

2,068,800

1,250,000

3,072,400

10,822,560

10,822,560

Average interest rate

5.5%

5.5%

5.7%

5.0%

5.7%

 

 

Fixed rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    (Danish Krone)*

1,058

1,058

1,058

1,058

4,762

8,994

7,400

Average interest rate

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Data in Renminbi equivalents.

 

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

We are exposed to fluctuations in the prices of alumina and primary aluminum. We import alumina from suppliers outside of China. Such purchases are made at market prices. In addition, all our sales of alumina and primary aluminum are made at market prices. Therefore, fluctuations in the prices of alumina and primary aluminum have a significant effect on our operating performances.

 

We enter into short-term futures contracts traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange and LME to hedge a limited amount of sales of primary aluminum so as to minimize the impact of the fluctuations in the price of primary aluminum on our operating performances. Gains and losses on such futures contracts are recorded as other income or expenses at each balance sheet date. The contracts have maturity dates that do not exceed six months.

 

The fair value of futures contracts are based on quoted market prices. As of December 31, 2006, the Company's position in futures contracts and options of aluminum is as follows:

 

 

As of December 31, 2005

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

Contract

Market

Unrealized

 

 

Contract

Market

Unrealized

 

 

Tonnes

value

value

gain/(loss)

Maturity

Tonnes

value

value

gain/(loss)

Maturity

 

 

RMB

 

 

 

 

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Future Contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 126 -

 


 

Short

5,000

83,644

92,004

(8,360)

February 2007 to May 2007

13,500

283,896

295,042

(11,146)

January 2007 to April 2007

Long

-

-

-

-

-

20,000

438,423

440,178

1,755

Jan-07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

-

-

-

-

-

31,000

23,543

19,855

3,688

January 2007 to December 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 13.

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, we were not in default in the payment of principal or interest of any lender.

 

ITEM 14.

MATERIAL MO DIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

 

None.

 

ITEM 15.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2006 were effective.

 

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over

 

- 127 -

 


 

financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Under the supervision of and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006.

 

We have excluded Fushun Aluminum Company Limited, Zunyi Aluminum Company Limited, Shandong Huayu Aluminum and Power Company Limited, Gansu Hualu Aluminum Company Limited and Shanxi Huasheng Aluminum Company Limited from our assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 because these entities were acquired during 2006 and qualified under current United States Securities and Exchange Commission regulations for exclusion from our assessment of internal control over financial reporting. All of these entities are subsidiaries of the Company and their total assets and total revenues in aggregate represent 11% and 7%, respectively, of our related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has audited our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, has also audited management's assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting; their report is included herein.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

The following change ocurred in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2006:

 

During 2006, to enhance the effectiveness of our existing internal control and operational efficiency, we implemented the SAP information system at most of our significant locations. As a result of the implementation, we have developed and created designated codes within the SAP system to identify and capture related party transactions in order to ensure timely and accurate recordings of such transactions.

 

ITEM 16.

[RESERVED]

 

 

ITEM 16A.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

 

Our Audit Committee members are Mr. Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel, Mr. Kang Yi and Mr. Zhang Zuoyuan. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Poon Yiu Kin, Samuel is the financial expert serving on our Audit Committee as well as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. See "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees".

 

ITEM 16B.

CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, other directors, Independent Non-executive Directors, senior management and employees. We have posted our Code of Ethics on our website: http://www.chalco.com.cn. A copy of this Code of Ethics is available, without charge, upon request from the address on the cover of this Form 20-F.

 

- 128 -

 


 

ITEM 16C.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers served as our independent auditor for the 2006 fiscal year. A description of the fees billed to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers for professional services in each of the last two fiscal years is set forth below:

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

2005

2006

 



 

RMB

RMB

 



 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Audit fees

13,721

30,000

Audit-related fees

9,291

4,253

All other fees

978

781

 



 

 

 

Total

23,990

35,034

 



 

 

 

"Audit Fees" are the aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the provision of an integrated audit of (i) our consolidated annual financial statements; (ii) management's assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; and (iii) the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. "Audit-Related Fees" are fees charged by PricewaterhouseCoopers for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under "Audit Fees".

 

In April 2003, our Audit Committee established pre-approval policies and procedures under which all audit and non-audit services performed by our principal accountants must be approved by the Audit Committee. For 2006, all of the services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

ITEM 16D.

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

 

 

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Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16E.

PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

 

None.

 

PART III

 

ITEM 17

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

We have elected to provide the financial statements and related information specified in Item 18 in lieu of Item 17.

 

ITEM 18

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

See pages F-1 to F-74 following Item 19.

 

ITEM 19

EXHIBITS

 

 

Index of Exhibits

 

Documents filed as exhibits to this Annual Report:

 

Exhibit Number

Description

 

 

1.1

-

Article of Association amended and adopted by the shareholders' meeting on February 27, 2007

 

 

 

4.1

-

Placing Agreement among Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, J.P.Morgan Securities Ltd., CLSA Limited and China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, dated May 9, 2006.

 

 

 

4.2

-

A Shares Sponsorship Agreement among Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, CITIC Securities Co., Ltd. and China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd., dated on March 12, 2007.

 

 

 

4.3

-

Strategic Investor Subscription Agreement among Aluminum Corporation of China, Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, Alcoa International (Asia) Ltd., Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asia Limited and China International Capital Corporation (Hong Kong) Limited, dated November 5, 2001.

 

 

 

4.4

-

Land Use Rights Leasing Agreement between Aluminum Corporation of China and Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd., dated November 5, 2001

 

 

 

4.5

-

Joint Venture Contract between Jiaozuo Coal (Group) Co., Ltd. and Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, dated April 12, 2004

 

 

 

4.6

-

Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Establishment of a Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture at Pingguo between Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and Alcoa International (Asia) Ltd., dated November 12, 2001.

 

 

 

4.7

-

General Agreement on Mutual Provision of Production Supplies and Ancillary Services between Aluminum Corporation of China and Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, dated November 5, 2001.

 

 

 

8.1

-

List of Subsidiaries of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited as of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

12.1

-

Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities

 

 

 

- 130 -

 


 

 

 

Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

13.1

-

Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED

 

 

By:

                            /s/    XIAO Yaqing

 

 


 

XIAO Yaqing

 

Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 17, 2008

 

EXHIBIT 1.1

 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

 

Articles of Association

 

(Approved at the Special General Meeting held on 24 September, 2001)

 

(Approved by Economic and Trade Commission of People's Republic of China on 26 September, 2001)

 

(Revised as approved by Shareholders' General Meeting of the Company on 12 June, 2002)

 

(Revised as approved by Economic and Trade Commission of People's Republic of China on 5 July, 2002)

 

(Revised as approved by Shareholders' General Meeting of the Company on 7 June, 2004)

 

(Revised as approved by State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council on 30 July, 2004)

 

- 131 -

 


 

(Revised as approved by Shareholders' General Meeting of the Company on 9 June, 2005)

 

(Revised as approved by Shareholders' General Meeting of the Company on 14 October, 2005)

 

(Revised as approved by Shareholders' General Meeting of the Company on 10 May, 2006)

 

(Revised as approved by Shareholders' General Meeting of the Company on 27 February, 2007)

 

(Revised as approved by State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council on [*])

 

Content

 

Chapter

Title

Page

 

 

 

Chapter 1

General Principles

1

 

 

 

Chapter 2

Business Objects and Scope

3

 

 

 

Chapter 3

Share Capital and Registered Capital

3

 

 

 

Chapter 4

Reduction of Capital and Repurchase of Shares

7

 

 

 

Chapter 5

Financial Assistance for the Acquisition of the Shares of the Company

9

 

 

 

Chapter 6

Share Certificates and Register of Shareholders

10

 

 

 

Chapter 7

Rights and Obligations of Shareholders

14

 

 

 

Chapter 8

Shareholders' General Meetings

17

 

 

 

Chapter 9

Special Procedures for the Voting of Class Shareholders

26

 

 

 

Chapter 10

Board of Directors

28

 

 

 

Chapter 11

Independent Directors

35

 

 

 

Chapter 12

Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Company

38

 

 

 

Chapter 13

Manager of the Company

40

 

 

 

Chapter 14

Supervisory Committee

41

 

 

 

Chapter 15

Qualifications and Obligations of the Directors, supervisors, Manager and other Senior executives of the Company

44

 

 

 

Chapter 16

Financial Accounting System, Profit Distribution And Auditing

50

 

 

 

Chapter 17

Appointment of Accounting Firm

54

 

 

 

Chapter 18

Merger and Division

56

 

 

 

Chapter 19

Dissolution and Liquidation

57

 

 

 

- 132 -

 


 

Chapter 20

Procedures for Amendments to the Articles of Association

59

 

 

 

Chapter 21

Notices and Public Announcement

59

 

 

 

Chapter 22

Settlement of Disputes

60

 

 

 

Chapter 23

Bye-laws

61

 

 

 

Aluminum Corporation of China

 

Articles of Association

 

Chapter1

General Principles

 

 

Article 1

 

Aluminum Corporation of China (the "Company") is a joint stock limited company established in accordance with the Company Law ("Company Law") of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the "PRC"), the Special Regulations of the State Council on the Overseas Share Offer and Listing of Joint Stock Limited Companies (chinese characters) (hereinafter referred to as "Special Regulations") and other relevant legislations and administrative regulations of the PRC.

 

The Company is established on 10th September 2001 by way of promotion under the approval given under State Economic and Trade Commission of the PRC (Guo Jing Mao Qi Gai [2001] No. 818) and the State Administration for Industry and Commence of the PRC and the business licence thereof was obtained. Licence number: 1000001003573 (2-1).

 

Aluminum Corporation of China, Guangxi Investment (Group) Co., Ltd. and Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation are promoters of the Company.

 

Article 2

 

The registered name of the Company:

 

Chinese: (chinese characters)

 

Abbreviation: (chinese characters)

 

English: Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

 

Abbreviation: Chalco

 

Article 3

 

Place of the Company: No.62 North Xizhimen Street, Beijing, PRC

 

Postal code: 100082

 

Tele: (010) 82298080

 

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Graphics context facsimile: (010) 82298081

 

Article 4

 

The chairman of the board of directors of the Company shall be the legal representative of the Company.

 

Article 5

 

The Company is a joint stock limited company with foreign capitals with perpetual existence.

 

The rights and obligations in respect of the Company enjoyed and assumed by shareholders of the Company shall be limited to the extent of the class and number of shares held by them. The Company shall be liable to its creditors to the extent of all of its assets.

 

The Company is an independent legal person, governed and protected by the laws and administrative regulations of the PRC.

 

Article 6

 

Pursuant to the Company Law, the Special Regulations and "Mandatory Provisions for the Articles of Association of the Companies Listed Overseas" (hereinafter referred to as the "Mandatory Provisions") and other relevant legislations and administrative regulations, the original Articles of Association (hereinafter referred to as the "Original Articles") was amended by adoption of new Articles of Association of the Company (hereinafter referred to as the "Articles of Association of the Company" or the "Articles of Association") at the shareholders' general meeting held on 27th February, 2007.

 

Article 7

 

The registration of the Original Articles was completed and became effective on the Date of Incorporation.

 

The Articles of Association shall become effective after being passed by a special resolution at the Company's shareholders' general meeting and once approval is obtained from the State Council authorised approving authorities and the State Council Securities Commission. Once the Articles of Association have become effective, the Original Articles shall be replaced by the Articles of Association.

 

Article 8

 

From the date when the Articles of Association take effect, the Articles of Association shall constitute a legally binding document regulating the structure and activities of the Company and governs the rights and obligations between the Company and its shareholders and among the shareholders.

 

Article 9

 

The Articles of Association of the Company shall be binding on the Company, its shareholders, directors, supervisors, manager and other senior management officers. All the aforementioned persons may, pursuant to the Articles of Association, put forward claims concerning the affairs of the Company.

 

Under the circumstances not in breach of Article 22 of the Articles of Association, the shareholders may, in

 

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accordance with the Articles of Association, bring actions against the Company. The Company may, in accordance with the Articles of Association, bring actions against the shareholders, directors, supervisors, manager and other senior management officers. The shareholders may, in accordance with the Articles of Association, bring actions against each other. The shareholders may, in accordance with the Articles of Association, bring actions against the directors, supervisors, manager and other senior management officers.

 

For the purpose of this article, "action" includes taking court proceedings and arbitration proceedings.

 

Article 10

 

The Company may invest in other companies but shall not be an investor jointly liable for the invested company's debts unless otherwise required by law.

 

The Company shall not be a shareholder with unlimited liabilities of other profit-making organizations.

 

Article 11

 

Subject to the provisions of the laws and administrative regulations of PRC, the Company shall have the rights to raise funds or to borrow monies, including but not limited to the rights to issue bonds, or to charge or to pledge its properties.

 

Chapter 2

Business Objects and Scope

 

 

Article 12

 

The object of operations of the Company shall be: to maximize the interests of shareholders; to establish management system and operation mechanism align with the globe; to improve management for better efficiency; to improve product technology based on the market-oriented strategy with a view to cut the cost and expand the market share through product upgrading and technology renovation in order to enhance the overall competitiveness of the Company.

 

Article 13

 

The scope of operations of the Company shall be based on the items approved by the company registration authorities.

 

The Company's scope of operations includes: exploration and mining of bauxite, limestone mines; production and sales of aluminum, magnesium products, smelting products and processing products; production and sales of carbon products and related non-ferrous products, water, electricity and gas, oxygen and nitrogen for industrial use; examination, design and construction and installation; manufacturing, installation, checking and maintenance of mechanical equipment, parts and components and non-standard equipment; maintenance of vehicles and construction machinery, manufacturing and sales of special industrial vehicles; road freight transportation; installation, maintenance, checking and sales of telecommunication, communication and testing equipment; automatic testing control, network and software system design, installation and adjustment; office automation, equipment and related technology development and technology services.

 

Article 14

 

The Company may, according to the business requirement, set up wholly-owned subsidiaries and controlling

 

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subsidiary, divisions such as branches and representative offices. Subsidiaries shall be names under the abbreviation of "Chalco" of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and branches shall be named under the full name of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited.

 

With the approvals of the relevant government departments, the Company may from time to time make adjustments to its scope and means of operations according to the business requirements and may also set up branches and/or offices outside PRC and in the regions of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (whether or not being wholly-owned).

 

Chapter 3 Share Capital and Registered Capital

 

Article 15

 

The Company may at any time create ordinary shares. The ordinary shares issued by the Company shall include domestic shares and foreign shares. Having regard to its requirements and upon the approvals of the State Council authorised approving authorities, the Company may create other class of shares.

 

Article 16

 

The shares issued by the Company shall have a par value of Renminbi 1 per share.

 

The aforesaid Renminbi shall mean the legal currency of the PRC.

 

Article 17

 

The Company may issue shares to domestic investors and overseas investors upon the approval of the authorities of the State Council responsible for securities.

 

The aforesaid overseas investors shall mean the investors from foreign countries and the regions of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan who subscribe for the shares issued by the Company; domestic investors shall mean the investors within the PRC other than those investors from the aforesaid regions who subscribed for the Shares issued by the Company.

 

Article 18

 

The shares issued by the Company to the domestic investors and subscribed for in Renminbi shall be called domestic shares. The shares issued by the Company to the overseas investors and subscribed in foreign currency shall be called foreign shares. Those foreign shares listed overseas shall be called overseas listed foreign shares. Shareholders of domestic shares and overseas listed foreign shares are ordinary shareholders and shall have the same obligations and rights.

 

The aforesaid foreign currency shall mean the legal currency of other countries or areas, other than Renminbi, recognized by the foreign exchange authority of PRC for the purpose of payment for the shares to the Company.

 

The domestic shares of the Company are deposited with Shanghai Branch of China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited. The overseas listed foreign shares of the Company are principally placed in the custody of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.

 

Article 19

 

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The foreign shares issued by the Company and listed in Hong Kong shall be called H Shares. H Shares shall mean the shares which have been admitted for listing on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (hereinafter referred to as the "HKSE") and the par value of which is denominated in Renminbi and are subscribed for and traded in Hong Kong currency.

 

Article 20

 

Upon approval of the State Council authorised approving authorities, the total number of ordinary shares issuable by the Company is 11,450,000,000 shares. The Company shall upon its establishment issue 8,000,000,000 shares (all of which are domestic shares) to the promoter. Upon consent of the State Council and approval of the governing authorities of the PRC, one of the promoters of Aluminum Corporation of China shall transfer some of the shares to China Cinda Asset Management Corporation ("China Cinda"), China Orient Asset Management Corporation ("China Orient") and China Development Bank ("CDB"), of which 1,600,000,000 shares shall be transferred to China Cinda, 621,670,000 shares to China Orient and 572,840,000 shares to CDB.

 

Contributions by promoters of the Company at the time of incorporation are as follows:

 

 

 

Means of

Date of Contribution

Promoter

Shares Subscribed

Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum Corporation of China

7,673,770,000

Net Asset

June 28, 2001

 

 

 

 

Guangxi Development Group Limited

196,800,000

Net Asset

June 28, 2001

 

 

 

 

Guizhou Provincial Materials Development

 

 

 

    and Investment Corporation

129,430,000

Net Asset

June 28, 2001

 

 

 

 

Total

8,000,000,000"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 21

 

After incorporation, the Company issues 2,749,889,968 overseas listed foreign shares, i.e. H Shares, of which 2,499,900,153 are new shares and 249,989815 million stock shares are sold by certain shareholders.

 

After the foregoing issuing of H Shares, the company has a total of 10,499,900,153 shares with an equity structure as follows: a total of 7.750010185 billion domestic shares, accounting 73.81% of the Company's total equities, including: 4,656,261,060 shares by the promoter Aluminum Corporation of China, accounting around 44.35% of the total equities; 196,800,000 shares by the promoter Guangxi Investment Group Co., Ltd., accounting around 1.87% of the total equities; 129,430,000 shares by the promoter Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation, accounting around 1.23% of the total equities; 1,610,332,210 shares by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation, accounting for around 15.34% of the total equities; 602,246,135 shares by China Orient Asset Management Corporation, accounting around 5.73% of the total equities; 554,940,780 shares by State Development Bank, accounting for 5.29% of the total equities. 2,749,889,968 (H Shares) are to be held by investors of overseas listed foreign shares, accounting for 26.19% of the Company's total equities.

 

With the approval of the examination body authorized by the State Council, the Company additionally issued 549,976,000 overseas listed foreign shares (H Shares) in 2004.

 

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After the foregoing issuing of H Shares, the company has a total of 11,049,876,153 shares, comprising 7,750,010,185 domestic shares representing 70.13% of the total equities, including 4,612,161,060 shares by the promoter Aluminum Corporation of China, accounting around 42.14% of the total equities; 196,800,000 shares by the promoter Guangxi Investment Group Co., Ltd., accounting around 1.78% of the total equities; 129,430,000 shares by the promoter Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation, accounting around 1.17% of the total equities; 1,610,332,210 shares by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation, accounting for around 14.57% of the total equities; 602,246,135 shares by China Orient Asset Management Corporation, accounting around 5.45% of the total equities; 554,940,780 shares by State Development Bank, accounting for 5.02% of the total equities; and 3,299,865,968 shares by shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares (H Shares) accounting for around 29.87% of the total equities.

 

With the approval of the State Council, China Construction Bank Corporation took back the 6.42% of the company's shares it had delegated to the care of Cinda Asset Management Corporation in 2005, and thenceforth directly holds the shares and become a shareholder of the company. It causes no change to the total number of shares of the company but the number of shares held by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation was decreased accordingly.

 

After the foregoing change of shareholder, the company has a total of 11,049,876,153 shares, comprising 7,750,010,185 domestic shares representing 70.13% of the total equities, including 4,656,261,060 shares by the promoter Aluminum Corporation of China, accounting around 42.14% of the total equities; 196,800,000 shares by the promoter Guangxi Investment Group Co., Ltd., accounting around 1.78% of the total equities; 129,430,000 shares by the promoter Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation, accounting around 1.17% of the total equities; 900,559,074 shares by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation, accounting for around 8.15% of the total equities; 709,773,136 shares by China Construction Bank Corporation, accounting for around 6.42% of the total equities, 602,246,135 shares by China Orient Asset Management Corporation, accounting around 5.45% of the total equities; 554,940,780 shares by State Development Bank, accounting for 5.02% of the total equities; and 3,299,865,968 shares by shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares (H Shares) accounting for around 29.87% of the total equities.

 

With the approval of the examination body authorized by the State Council, the Company additionally issued 644,100,000 overseas listed foreign shares (H Shares) in 2006, including 600,000,000 new shares and 44,100,000 existing shares sold by certain shareholders.

 

After the foregoing issuing of H Shares, the company has a total of 11,649,876,153 shares, comprising 7,705,910,185 domestic shares representing 66.15% of the total, including 4,612,261,060 shares by the promoter Aluminum Corporation of China, accounting around 39.59% of the total equities; 196,800,000 shares by the promoter Guangxi Investment Group Co., Ltd., accounting around 1.69% of the total equities; 129,430,000 shares by the promoter Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation, accounting around 1.11% of the total equities; 900,559,074 shares by China Cinda Asset Management Corporation, accounting for around 7.73% of the total equities; 709,773,136 shares by China Construction Bank Corporation, accounting for around 6.09% of the total equities, 602,246,135 shares by China Orient Asset Management Corporation, accounting around 5.17% of the total equities; 554,940,780 shares by State Development Bank, accounting for 4.76% of the total equities; and 3,943,965,968 shares by shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares (H Shares) accounting for 33.85% of the total issued common shares.

 

The Company issued 1,236,731,739 A Shares in 2007 upon approval of the shareholders' general meeting by way of special resolutions and upon approval of the State Council authorised approving authorities.

 

The existing shareholding structure of the Company shall be: 12,886,607,892 ordinary shares of which 8,942,641,924 are held by holders of A Shares, representing 69.39% of the total issued ordinary shares of the Company, 3,943,965,968 shares are held by holders of overseas listed foreign shares, representing 30.61% of the total issued ordinary shares of the Company.

 

Article 22

 

Upon the plan for the issue by the Company of overseas listed foreign shares and domestic shares being

 

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approved by the authorities of the State Council responsible for securities, the board of directors of the Company may implement arrangement for the respective issue thereof.

 

The plan for the issue of overseas listed foreign shares and domestic shares may be implemented respectively by the Company pursuant to the provisions as aforesaid within 15 months from the date of the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CSRC").

 

Article 23

 

Where the total number of shares to be issued by the Company as determined under the plan includes the number of overseas listed foreign shares and the number of domestic shares, the capital shall each be raised by one installment; where the capital cannot be raised by one installment under special circumstances, it can be raised by separate installments with the approval of the State Council Securities Commission.

 

Article 24

 

The registered capital of the Company is RMB 12,886,607,892.

 

Article 25

 

The Company may, based on its operation and business requirements, approve an increase in its capital in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Articles of Association.

 

The manners in which the capital of the Company may be increased are as follows:

 

(1)

offer of new shares to investors not particularly designated;

 

 

(2)

placing of new shares to existing shareholders;

 

 

(3)

bonus issue of new shares to existing shareholders;

 

 

(4)

transfer of statutory capital reserve to share capital;

 

 

(5)

other methods as permitted by the laws and administrative regulations.

 

 

The increase in the capital of the Company by way of issuing new shares pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of Association shall be implemented in accordance with relevant laws and administrative regulations of PRC.

 

Article 26

 

Unless otherwise provided in the laws and administrative regulations, the shares of the Company may be freely transferable and shall be free from any lien.

 

Chapter 4

Reduction of Capital and Repurchase of Shares

 

 

Article 27

 

The Company may reduce its registered capital pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of Association.

 

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Article 28

 

Upon the reduction of registered capital, the Company shall prepare a balance sheet and a list of its assets.

 

The company must notify its creditors of the intended capital reduction within 10 days and issue public notice in newspaper within 30 days following the date on which such a decision is made. The creditors have the right to demand the company to liquidate its liabilities or provide corresponding debt service guarantees within 30 days following the receipt of the notification letter or 45 days following the public notice in the newspaper.

 

The registered capital shall not be less than the statutory minimum requirement after the reduction of capital.

 

Article 29

 

In the following circumstances, the Company may repurchase its issued shares in accordance with the procedures provided in the Articles of Association and with the approval of the relevant governing authorities of PRC:

 

(1)

cancellation of shares for the purpose of reducing capital of the Company;

 

 

(2)

amalgamation with other company which owns shares in the Company;

 

 

(3)

granting bonus shares to employees of the company.

 

 

(4)

shareholders disagreeing with General Meeting's resolution on merger or division of the company and requiring the company to acquire the shares in their possession.;

 

 

(5)

Other purposes permitted by law and administrative regulations.

 

 

The Company shall repurchase its issued shares in accordance with the provisions of Articles 30 to 33 herein.

 

Article 30

 

The Company may, with the approval of the relevant governing authorities of PRC, repurchase its shares in any of the following manner:

 

(1)

to make a repurchase offer to all shareholders in proportion to their respective shareholdings;

 

 

(2)

to repurchase shares in open trading on a stock exchange;

 

 

(3)

to repurchase shares by way of agreement other than through a stock exchange.

 

 

(4)

other manners pursuant to the laws and administrative regulations and approved by the securities authorities of the State Council.

 

 

Article 31

 

Where the Company repurchases shares by way of agreement other than through a stock exchange, it shall obtain the prior approval of the shareholders in a general meeting according to the provisions of the Articles of Association. Where prior approval has been obtained from the shareholders in a general meeting in the

 

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same manner, the Company may release or modify the contract entered into in the aforesaid manner or waive any right granted under such contract.

 

The contract to repurchase shares referred to above shall include but not be limited to agreements agreeing to undertake the obligations to repurchase shares or acquiring the rights to repurchase shares.

 

The contract to repurchase shares or any of the rights provided therein are not capable of being assigned by the Company.

 

Article 32

 

After the repurchase, the Company must cancel or transfer the repurchased shares before the deadline set by relevant laws and administrative regulations, and file its capital changes with its original registrant in the event of the cancellation.

 

The registered capital of the Company will be reduced by the total nominal value of the shares so cancelled.

 

Article 33

 

Unless the Company is in the process of liquidation, the repurchase of issued shares by the Company shall be subject to the following provisions:

 

(1)

if the shares are repurchased at par value, payment may be made out of the balance of the distributable profits in the books of the Company or from the proceeds of fresh issue of new shares for the purpose of repurchase of existing shares;

 

 

(2)

if the shares are repurchased at a premium of the par value, payment up to the par value may be made out of the balance of the distributable profits in the books of the Company or from the proceeds of fresh issue of new shares for the purpose of repurchase; payment of the portion in excess of the par value shall be effected in the following manner:

 

 

 

(i)

if the repurchased shares were issued at par value, payment shall be made out of the balance of distributable profits in the books of the Company;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

if the repurchased shares were issued at a premium, payment shall be made out of the balance of distributable profits in the books of the Company or from the proceeds of fresh issue of new shares for the purpose of share repurchase provided that, the amount paid out of the proceeds of fresh issue of new shares shall not exceed the aggregate of premium received on the issue of the shares repurchased, nor the balance of capital surplus reserve fund account of the Company at the time of such repurchase (including the amount of the premium received on the fresh issue of new shares);

 

 

 

(3)

The payment for the following shall be made out of the distributable profits of the Company:

 

 

 

(i)

the acquisition of rights to repurchase its shares;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

the amendment of the contract for the repurchase of its shares;

 

 

 

 

(iii)

the release of any of its obligations under the repurchase contract.

 

 

 

(4)

After the registered capital of the Company has been reduced by the total nominal amount of the shares so cancelled pursuant to the relevant provisions, the amount which has been deducted from the distributable profits and used for repurchasing the nominal value of the shares shall be credited to the account of capital surplus reserve fund of the Company.

 

 

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Chapter 5

Financial Assistance for the Acquisition of the Shares of the Company

 

 

Article 34

 

No financial assistance shall be provided at any time and in any manner by the Company or its subsidiaries to any person acquiring or intending to acquire the shares of the Company. The person(s) acquiring the shares of the Company aforesaid shall include the person(s) who undertake(s), directly or indirectly, obligations as a result of an acquisition of shares of the Company.

 

No financial assistance shall be provided at any time and in any manner by the Company and its subsidiaries to reduce or release the obligations of the said person(s) undertaking such obligations.

 

This article shall not apply to the circumstances stated in Article 36 in this chapter.

 

Article 35

 

The financial assistance referred to in this chapter shall include but not be limited to the assistance in the following ways:

 

(1)

gift;

 

 

(2)

guarantee (including provision by the guarantor of an undertaking or property to secure the performance of obligations by the obligor), indemnity (other than an indemnity in respect of the Company's own neglect or default) or a release or waiver thereof;

 

 

(3)

provision of loan or making of a contract under which the obligations of the Company are to be fulfilled before the obligations of another party to the contract, the novation of the loan or changes of the parties to the contract and the assignment of rights under the loan and the contract;

 

 

(4)

any other financial assistance given by the Company when the Company is insolvent or has no net assets or when its net assets would thereby be reduced to a material extent.

 

 

The undertaking referred to in this chapter shall include the undertaking of obligations by the obligator of contract or arrangement (whether the contract or arrangement is enforceable or to be undertaken individually or jointly with others) or changes in his financial position in any manner.

 

Article 36

 

The following activities shall not be deemed to be prohibited by Article 34 of this chapter:

 

(1)

the provision of financial assistance is given in good faith in the interests of the Company and the principal purpose in giving such assistance is not for acquisition of shares in the Company, or the giving of the assistance is but an incidental part of a master plan of the Company;

 

 

(2)

the distribution of the assets of the Company by way of dividends in accordance with law;

 

 

(3)

the allotment of bonus shares as dividends;

 

 

(4)

a reduction of registered capital, repurchase of shares of the Company, adjustment of shareholding structure of the Company effected in accordance with the Articles of Association;

 

 

(5)

the lending of money by the Company in the ordinary course of its business where the lending of money is part of the scope of business (only if the Company has net assets which are not thereby reduced or to the extent that those assets are thereby reduced if the financial assistance is provided out

 

 

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of the distributable profits of the Company);

 

 

(6)

the provision of money by the Company for contributions to the share option scheme for employees (only if the Company has net assets which are not thereby reduced or to the extent that those assets are thereby reduced, if the financial assistance is provided out of the distributable profits of the Company).

 

 

Chapter 6

Share Certificates and Register of Shareholders

 

 

Article 37

 

The shares issued by the Company shall be in registered form.

 

The share certificates of the Company shall contain the following major particulars:

 

(1)

name of the Company;

 

 

(2)

date of incorporation of the Company;

 

 

(3)

class of the shares, nominal value and number of shares represented;

 

 

(4)

serial number of the share certificate;

 

 

(5)

other items to be contained as required by the Company Law, the Special Regulations and the stock exchange on which the shares of the Company are listed.

 

 

Article 38

 

The shares of the Company may be transferred, donated, inherited and charged in accordance with the relevant laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association.

 

The transfer and assignment of shares shall be registered with the share registrar appointed by the Company.

 

Article 39

 

The stocks are signed by the Company's legal representative, and if required by the securities exchange on which the Company's stocks are listed, by other senior members of the management. The stocks become valid with the Company seal (include the Company's securities seal), which must be authorized by the Company's chair of board. The signature of the Company's chair of the board or other senior members of the management may also take printing form.

 

Article 40

 

The Company does not accept shares as the subject of pledge.

 

Article 41

 

During their tenures, the director, supervisor, manager and other senior management member shall report periodically to the Company their shareholding of the Company's stock and its changes. Share transfers by

 

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the foregoing personnel shall proceed in accordance with laws, regulations and/or applicable listing rules.

 

Article 42

 

All the profits gained by directors, supervisor, general managers, deputy general managers and other senior executives and a shareholder holding above 5% of the Company's shares through selling his shares issued by the Company in six months following the purchase of such shares or through repurchasing his shares issued by the Company in six months following the sale of such shares belong to the Company and the board will take back such proceeds, except that sale of shares will not be subject to the 6-month limit when the seller is a securities company that has become holder of more than 5% of the company's shares as remaining out of the underwritten quantity.

 

If the board fails to do so as required by the foregoing provision, the shareholder shall have the right to require the board to execute said provision within 30 days. When the board continues to fail the execution within said period of time, the shareholder shall have the right to directly bring a legal action before a people's court in his own name and for the interests of the company.

 

If the board fails to execute the first provision, the responsible director(s) shall be jointly liable according to law.

 

Article 43

 

The Company shall keep a register of shareholders and enter therein the following particulars:

 

(1)

name, address (residential), occupation or nature of each shareholder;

 

 

(2)

class and number of shares held by each shareholder;

 

 

(3)

the amount paid or payable for the shares held by each shareholder;

 

 

(4)

the serial number of the share certificates held by each shareholder;

 

 

(5)

the date on which each person was entered in the register as a shareholder;

 

 

(6)

the date on which any person ceased to be a shareholder.

 

 

Unless there is evidence to the contrary, the register of shareholders shall be sufficient evidence of shareholdings in the Company.

 

Article 44

 

The Company may, in accordance with the agreement or understanding between the authorities of the State Council responsible for securities and overseas securities regulatory authorities, keep the register of shareholders in relation to overseas listed foreign shares outside the PRC and may appoint overseas agencies to manage such register. The original register of shareholders in relation to overseas listed foreign shares of the Company shall be kept in Hong Kong.

 

Copies of the register of shareholders in relation to overseas listed foreign shares shall be kept at the seat of the Company. Appointed overseas agencies shall from time to time ensure that the original register of shareholders in relation to overseas listed foreign shares and the copies thereof be consistent.

 

Where there is any inconsistency between the original register of shareholders of overseas listed foreign

 

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shares and the copies thereof, the original shall prevail.

 

Article 45

 

The Company shall have a complete register of shareholders.

 

The register of shareholders shall contain the following parts:

 

(1)

register of shareholders other than those provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) below kept at the seat of the Company;

 

 

(2)

register of shareholders in relation to overseas listed foreign shares kept at the location of the overseas stock exchange in which those shares are listed;

 

 

(3)

register of shareholders kept in other place(s) as the board of directors of the Company thinks fit for the purpose of listing the shares of the Company.

 

 

Article 46

 

Different parts of the register of shareholders shall not overlap. No transfer of any shares registered in any part of the register of shareholders, shall during the continuance of that registration, be registered in any other part of the register of shareholders.

 

All the fully paid overseas foreign shares listed in Hong Kong shall be freely transferable pursuant to the Articles of Association. However, the board of directors may refuse to recognize any instrument of transfer without assigning any reason thereof, unless:

 

(1)

a sum of HK$2.5 for each instrument of transfer or such higher amount as approved by the HKSE for the time being has been paid to the Company for registering any instrument of transfer or other documents related to or affecting the ownership of any shares;

 

 

(2)

the instrument of transfer only involves overseas listed foreign shares listed in Hong Kong;

 

 

(3)

the stamp duty payable in respect of the instrument of transfer has been paid;

 

 

(4)

relevant share certificates and such other evidence as the board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer have been produced;

 

 

(5)

if the shares are transferred to joint holders, the number of joint holders shall not exceed 4; and

 

 

(6)

the shares concerned are free of any lien in favour of the Company.

 

 

The overseas listed foreign shares of the Company shall be transferred in an ordinary or regular way or a way acceptable to the board of directors; such instrument of transfer may be executed by way of signing or affixing of valid seal in case the transferer or transferee is a corporate. In case the transferer or transferee is a clearing institution or its agent, such instrument of transfer may be executed by way of signing or affixing of seal in mode of printing. All instruments of transfer shall be placed at the legal address of the Company or any such place designated by the board of directors from time to time.

 

Any amendments or corrections to the different parts of the register of shareholders shall be carried out according to the governing laws of the place where the register of shareholders are kept.

 

Article 47

 

No registration of changes in the shareholder roster as a result of stock transfer can take place within 30 days

 

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preceding the convocation of general shareholder meeting or five days preceding the day on which the Company decides to allocate dividends. The foregoing applies to H Shares shareholders. Note: The present article is not applicable to A Shares shareholders.

 

Article 48

 

When the Company convokes a general shareholder meeting, allocates dividend, liquidates or performs other activities that require the verification of equity rights, the board of directors or the general meeting convener must specify a date as the equity rights determination date. The shareholders registered in shareholder roster after closing as at the equity rights determination date are the Company's shareholders entitled to appropriate rights and interests.

 

Article 49

 

Any person who does not agree to the register of shareholders and requests to have his name registered thereon or removed therefrom may apply to the court of law with competent jurisdiction on the register for rectification of the register.

 

Article 50

 

Any shareholder whose name is registered in the register of shareholders or any person who requests to have his name registered in the register of shareholders who has lost his share certificate (the "Original Certificate"), may apply to the Company for issuing new share certificate in respect of such shares (the "Relevant Shares").

 

Domestic shareholder who has lost his share certificate may apply for the issue of new share certificate in accordance with Section 144 of the Company Law.

 

Holder of overseas listed foreign shares who has lost his share certificate may apply for the issue of new share certificate in accordance with the laws, stock exchange rules and other relevant regulations of the place where the original register of shareholders in relation to overseas listed foreign shares is kept.

 

Application for replacement of lost share certificate made by a holder of H Shares shall be subject to the following requirements:

 

(1)

Applicant shall submit the application in standard form prescribed by the Company together with a notarial certificate or statutory declaration. The notarial certificate or statutory declaration shall include the reason of the application made by the applicant, the circumstances under which the share certificate was lost and the supporting evidence and a declaration that no other person shall be entitled to register as a shareholder in respect of the Relevant Shares.

 

 

(2)

No declaration made by any person other than the applicant has been received by the Company for registration as a shareholder of the Relevant Shares prior to the determination of the Company to issue new certificate.

 

 

(3)

If the Company determines to issue new share certificate to the applicant as replacement, it shall publish a notification for issuing new certificate for replacement purpose in the newspaper designated by the board of directors and the period for such notification shall be 90 days and such notification shall be published at least once every 30 days.

 

 

(4)

Prior to the publishing of the notification for issuing new certificate for replacement purpose, the Company shall submit a copy of the notification to be published to the stock exchange where its shares are listed. The notification may be published upon the reply of such stock exchange confirming that the said notification has been exhibited in such stock exchange. The period for the exhibition of the

 

 

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notification in such stock exchange shall be 90 days.

 

 

 

If the consent of the application for replacement of the certificates has not been obtained for the registered shareholders of the Relevant Shares, the Company shall send to the said shareholder by post a copy of such notification to be published.

 

 

(5)

Upon the expiry of 90 days for the publication and exhibition of the notification as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) above and no objection has been received from any person against the replacement of certificate, new share certificate shall be issued to the applicant based on his application.

 

 

(6)

Where the Company issues new share certificate pursuant to this article, it shall forthwith cancel the Original Certificate and make such entry in the register of shareholders in order to record such cancellation and issue.

 

 

(7)

All expenses relating to the cancellation of Original Certificate and the issue of new share certificate by the Company shall be borne by the applicant. The Company shall be entitled to refuse to take any action until the applicant can provide reasonable indemnity.

 

 

Article 51

 

Upon the issue by the Company of new share certificate pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of Association, the name of the bona fide purchaser who acquires the Relevant Shares or the person who subsequently registered as the shareholder of the said shares (as a bona fide purchaser) shall not be removed from the register of shareholders.

 

Article 52

 

The Company shall assume no liability for any loss incurred by any person as a result of the cancellation of the Original Certificate or in issuing new share certificate, unless it can be proved by such person that the Company is fraudulent.

 

Chapter 7

Rights and Obligations of Shareholders

 

 

Article 53

 

Shareholders of the Company shall be the persons who hold the shares of the Company in accordance with the laws and have their names registered in the register of shareholders.

 

Shareholders shall enjoy the rights and assume the obligations according to the class of and number of shares held by them. Shareholders holding the same class of shares shall enjoy the same rights and assume the same obligations.

 

In case of joint holders, if one of the joint holders dies, only the surviving joint holders shall be deemed by the Company to be such persons as having the ownership of the relevant shares. The board of directors shall have the right, for the purpose of making amendments to the register of shareholders, to demand a death certificate where it deems appropriate to do so. In case of joint holding of shares, only the joint holder whose name appears first in the register of members is entitled to receive the relevant shares and the Company's notices, and to attend and exercise voting rights at a general meeting of the Company. Any notice delivered to that person shall be deemed as having been delivered to all joint holders of the relevant shares.

 

The Company shall not exercise any of its rights to freeze or otherwise impair any of the rights attaching to any shares of the Company by reason only that person or persons who are interested directly or indirectly therein have failed to disclose their interests to the Company.

 

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Article 54

 

A holder of ordinary shares of the Company shall have the following rights:

 

(1)

to claim dividends and distribution of profits in any other form in proportion to the number of shares held;

 

 

(2)

lawfully request, convene, chair, attend in person or appoint a proxy to attend and vote at shareholder's general meetings in respect of the number of shares held;

 

 

(3)

to supervise and manage the business activities of the Company and to put forward proposals and raise inquiries;

 

 

(4)

to transfer, donate or pledge shares in accordance with the laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association;

 

 

(5)

to receive information as provided in the Articles of Association of the Company, including:

 

 

 

1.

the right to a copy of the Articles of Association upon payment of the costs thereof;

 

 

 

 

2.

upon payment of reasonable charges, the right to inspect and make copies of:

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

all parts of the register of shareholders;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

personal particulars of the directors, supervisors, general manager and other senior management officers of the Company, including:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

present forename and surnames and any former forename or surname and any aliases;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

principal address (residential);

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

nationality;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(d)

occupation and all other part-time occupation and duties;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(e)

identification documents and its number.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

state of the share capital of the Company;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

reports showing the total nominal value and number of shares repurchased by the Company since the end of the last financial year, the highest and the lowest price paid and the aggregate amount paid by the Company in respect of each class of its shares repurchased;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

minutes of shareholders' general meetings, resolutions of board meetings and supervisory committee meetings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

debenture counterfoils and financial reports of the company.

 

 

 

 

(6)

the right to participate in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company in proportion to the number of shares held in the event of the termination or liquidation of the Company;

 

 

(7)

Shareholders disagreeing with general meetings' resolutions on merger or division of the company may require the company to acquire the shares in their possession.

 

 

(8)

Lodge legal actions before people's courts against acts damaging the company's interests or infringing

 

 

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shareholders' legal rights and interests and claim for relevant rights according to Companies Law or other laws and administrative regulations;

 

 

(9)

any other rights specified in laws, administrative regulations departmental rules and the Company's Articles of Association.

 

 

Article 55

 

A holder of ordinary shares of the Company shall undertake the following obligations:-

 

(1)

to comply with the Articles of Association;

 

 

(2)

to pay subscription monies according to the number of shares subscribed and the method of subscription;

 

 

(3)

Withdrawal of contribution is not permitted unless otherwise required by laws and regulations;

 

 

(4)

Not abuse shareholder's rights to damage the interests of the company or other shareholders; and not abuse the company's independent legal capacity and the shareholder's limited liability to damage the interests of the company's creditors. A shareholder causing losses of the company or other shareholders by abusing his shareholder's rights shall be liable for compensation according to law. A shareholder evading debts and severely damage the interests of the company's creditors by abusing the company's independent legal capacity and his limited shareholder's liability shall be jointly liable for the company's debts;

 

 

(5)

other obligations specified in laws, administrative regulations and the Company's Articles of Association.

 

 

A shareholder shall not be liable to make further contribution to the share capital other than the terms as agreed by the subscriber at the time of subscription.

 

Article 56

 

The controlling shareholder and actual controller of the company shall not damage the company's interests by virtue of its related position, or otherwise it shall be liable for compensating the resulting losses of the company.

 

The controlling shareholder and actual controller of the company assumes integrity obligation to the company and its public shareholders. The controlling shareholder shall exercise its rights as investor in strict compliance with law, not damage the legal rights and interests of the company and its public shareholders through profit sharing, asset restructuring, external investment, occupation of funds or providing surety for loans, and not leverage on its controlling position to impair the interests of the company and its public shareholders.

 

Article 57

 

In addition to the obligations imposed by the laws and administrative regulations or required by the listing rules of the stock exchange on which the shares of the Company are listed, the controlling shareholder, in exercising the power as a shareholder, shall not exercise his voting rights in a manner prejudicial to the interests of all or some part of the shareholders when making decision on the following matters:

 

(1)

to relieve a director or Supervisor of his duty to act honestly in the best interests of the Company;

 

 

(2)

to approve the expropriation by a director or Supervisor (for his own benefit or for the benefit of

 

 

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(2)

another), in any guise, the assets of the Company, including but not limited to an opportunity beneficial to the Company;

 

 

(3)

to approve the expropriation by a director or Supervisor (for his own benefit or for the benefit of another) the individual rights of other shareholders, including but not limited to rights to distributions and voting rights save and except restructuring of the Company submitted for approval by the shareholders in general meeting in accordance with the Articles of Association.

 

 

Article 58

 

A controlling shareholder referred to in the preceding article means a person who satisfies any one of the following conditions:

 

(1)

he may alone or acting in concert with others have the power to elect more than half of the directors;

 

 

(2)

he may alone or acting in concert with others have the power to exercise 30 per cent. or more of the voting rights in the Company or control the exercise of 30 per cent. or more of the voting rights in the Company;

 

 

(3)

he may alone or acting in concert with others holds 30 per cent. or more of the issued shares of the Company;

 

 

(4)

he may alone or acting in concert with others have de facto control of the Company in any other manner.

 

 

Chapter 8

Shareholders' General Meetings

 

 

Article 59

 

The shareholders' general meeting shall be the source of authority of the Company and shall exercise its powers according to the laws.

 

Article 60

 

The shareholders' general meeting shall have the following powers:-

 

(1)

to determine the business policies and investment plans;

 

 

(2)

to elect and replace directors and to determine the remuneration of the directors;

 

 

(3)

to elect and replace Supervisors who are representatives of the shareholders and to determine the remuneration of such Supervisors;

 

 

(4)

to consider and to approve the report of the board of directors;

 

 

(5)

to consider and to approve the report of the supervisory committee;

 

 

(6)

to consider and to approve the annual financial budgets and final accounts;

 

 

(7)

to consider and to approve the plan for profit distribution and plan for making up losses;

 

 

(8)

to resolve on the increase in or reduction of the registered capital of the Company;

 

 

(9)

to resolve on the amalgamation, demerger, dissolution and liquidation of the Company;

 

 

(10)

to resolve on the issue of debentures of the Company;

 

 

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(11)

to resolve on the appointment, dismissal or discontinuance of appointment of the accounting firm;

 

 

(12)

to amend the Articles of Association;

 

 

(13)

to examine and approve decisions in relation to share-based remunerations (such as right share or share option etc.) of the employees;

 

 

(14)

make decision on purchase or sale of substantial assets within one year that exceed 25% of the company's total assets;

 

 

(15)

make decisions on external guarantee matters subject to review and approval by general meetings as required by laws, administrative regulations and the Article of Association of the company;

 

 

(16)

review and approve changes of purpose of the funds raised;

 

 

(17)

other matters the resolutions concerning which shall be made by the shareholders' general meeting, as stipulated by laws, administrative regulations, department rules and the Articles of Association of the Company

 

 

The shareholders' general meeting may authorize or appoint the board of directors to effect those matters authorised or appointed by the shareholders' general meeting.

 

Article 61

 

Any and all external guarantee matters of the company shall be subject to review and approval of the board. The following guarantee matters shall further be submitted to general meeting for review and approval:

 

(1)

Any guarantee provided after the gross amount of external guarantees offered by the company and its held subsidiaries has reached or exceeded 50% of the latest audited net asset;

 

 

(2)

Guarantee offered to an object with an asset-debt ratio of above 70%;

 

 

(3)

Any single guarantee amounting above 10% of the latest audited net asset;

 

 

(4)

Guarantee offered to a shareholder, the actual controller of the company or its related parties;

 

 

(5)

Any guarantee provided after the company's external guarantees have reached or exceeded 25% of its latest audited total assets;

 

 

(6)

Other guarantee matters to be submitted to general meeting for review and approval as required by laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association of the company.

 

 

A director, manager, senior deputy manager, deputy manager or any other senior executive of the company shall be liable for compensation when they have caused losses to the company by violating the external guarantee approval authority and review procedure requirements set forth in laws, administrative regulations or the Articles of Association of the company, and the company may bring a legal action against him according to law.

 

Article 62

 

All the matters to be decided at shareholders' general meetings in accordance with laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association shall be examined at the relevant shareholders' general meeting(s) for the purpose of protecting the shareholders' rights to decide on such matters. When considered necessary and under reasonable circumstances, specific issues related to the foregoing matters that cannot be decided

 

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immediately at the relevant shareholders' general meeting(s) may be decided by the Board of Directors within the scope as to be authorised by the shareholders at the relevant general meeting(s).

 

An authorization to the Board of Directors which falls into an ordinary resolution shall be passed by votes representing more than one-half (excluding one-half) of the voting rights held by the shareholders (including their proxies) present at the shareholders' general meeting; an authorization to the Board of Directors which falls into a special resolution shall be passed by votes representing two-thirds or more of the voting rights held by the shareholders (including their proxies) present at the general meeting. The content of the authorization shall be clear and specific.

 

Article 63

 

Unless prior approval by the shareholders general meeting has been sought, the Company shall not enter into contract with any person other than a director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company whereby such person undertakes the management and administration of the whole or any substantial part of the business of the Company.

 

Article 64

 

Shareholders' general meetings can be annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings. Shareholders' general meetings are held once a year within six months after the end of the previous financial year.

 

Under any of the following circumstances, the Board of Directors shall convene an extraordinary general meeting within two months thereof:-

 

(1)

when the number of directors falls below the number required by the Company Law or two-thirds of the number required by the Articles of Association;

 

 

(2)

Where the unrecovered losses of the Company amount to one-third of the total amount of its paid-in capital.;

 

 

(3)

Where requested by shareholder(s) holding 10 percent or more of the Company's shares for more than ninety consecutive days (the number of shares held shall be the figure as at the date of the written request from the shareholder) ;

 

 

(4)

When the Board of Directors deems necessary or the supervisory committee proposes to convene the same;

 

 

The shareholding mentioned above in paragraph (3) shall be based on the date on which the shareholders put forward their requisition.

 

Article 65

 

The Company shall, within 45 days (Inclusive of date of meeting) before the date of meeting, send written notices of the shareholders' general meeting and inform all registered shareholders of the matters to be considered at the meeting and the date and venue of the meeting. Those shareholders who intend to attend the meeting shall send the written reply to the Company 20 days before the meeting.

 

The Company shall according to the written replies received 20 days before the date of the meeting calculate the proportion of shares having voting rights represented by the shareholders who intend to attend the meeting. The Company shall convene the shareholders' general meeting if the number of shares carrying voting rights represented by the shareholders who intend to attend is more than one-half of the total number

 

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of shares with voting rights, failing which the Company shall, within 5 days, inform the shareholders again in the form of public notice the proposed matters for consideration at the meeting and the date and venue of the meeting. Shareholders' general meetings may be convened after such notification has been published.

 

Article 66

 

Motions put forward at the general meeting shall be specific and shall relate to the matters to be considered at a shareholders' general meeting. Motions raised at a general meeting shall satisfy the following requirements:

 

(1)

It shall be free of conflicts with the provisions of laws, administrative regulations and Articles of Association, and fall into the business scope of the Company and the terms of reference of the shareholders' general meeting;

 

 

(2)

It shall have definite topics to discuss and specific matters to resolve;

 

 

(3)

It shall be submitted in writing or served to the convener.

 

 

Article 67

 

When the Company convenes a shareholders' annual general meeting, the board, the supervisory committee and the shareholder(s) independently or collectively holding more than 3% of the company's shares shall have the right to present proposals to the company.

 

A shareholder independently or collectively holding more than 3% of the company's shares may present extraordinary proposals and submit them in writing to the general meeting convener 10 days prior to the meeting; the convener shall send a supplementary notice of general meeting to announce such extraordinary proposals within 2 days after receiving them.

 

Except for the circumstances set forth in the foregoing provision, the convener shall not change the proposals stated in the general meeting notice or include any additional proposals after sending the general meeting notice.

 

Article 68

 

The matter to be discussed and decided at the shareholders' general meeting shall be in accordance with Company Laws and the Company's Articles of Association, and any stipulation of the Company's Articles of Association can be decided at the general meeting of shareholders.

 

General meetings shall not vote on or make decisions on matters not included in the notice set forth in Articles 65 and 67 herein, or on proposals inconsistent with the requirements of Article 66 herein.

 

Article 69

 

Notice of a shareholders' general meeting shall satisfy the following requirements:

 

(1)

It shall be in writing;

 

 

(2)

It shall specify the place, date and time of the meeting;

 

 

(3)

It shall state the matters to be considered at the meeting;

 

 

(4)

It shall provide such information and explanation as are necessary for the shareholders to make a

 

 

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judicious decision on the matters to be considered, this principle including but not limiting where a proposal is made to merger the Company with another, to repurchase shares of the Company, to reorganize the share capital, or to restructure the Company in any way, the terms of the proposed transaction must be provided in detail together with copies of the proposed agreement (if any) , and the causes and effects must be properly explained.

 

 

(5)

It shall contain a disclosure of the nature and extent, if any, of material interests of any director, supervisor, manager or senior executive in the transaction proposed and the effect of the proposed transaction on such director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive in their capacity as shareholders in so far as it is different from the effect on the interests of the shareholders of the same class.

 

 

(6)

It shall contain the full text of any special resolution proposed to be passed at the meeting;

 

 

(7)

It shall contain conspicuously a statement that a shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the meeting shall be entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend such meeting and to vote thereat instead of him and that a proxy need not be a shareholder;

 

 

(8)

It shall specify the time and place for lodging proxy forms for the relevant meeting.

 

 

Article 70

 

The notice of a shareholders' general meeting shall be sent to shareholders, regardless of whether a shareholder is entitled to vote at the meeting, by hand or by pre-paid post. The service address shall be the address on the register of shareholders. As for domestic shareholders, the notice of a shareholders' general meeting may be given in the form of public notice.

 

The public notice referred to in the above paragraph shall be published within 45 days to 50 days prior to the date of the meeting in a newspaper or several newspapers prescribed by the authorities of the State Council responsible for securities. Once published, all domestic shareholders shall be deemed to have received the relevant notice of the shareholders' general meeting.

 

Article 71

 

Any shareholder who is entitled to attend the shareholders' general meeting and to vote thereat shall be entitled to appoint one or more persons (whether a shareholder) as his proxy to attend and vote on his behalf. Such proxy or proxies shall exercise the following rights pursuant to the appointment made by the appointing shareholder:-

 

(1)

The same right as such shareholder to speak at the shareholders' general meeting;

 

 

(2)

Authority to demand or join in demanding a poll;

 

 

(3)

The right to vote by show of hands or on a poll provided that a proxy of a shareholder who has appointed more than one proxy may only vote on a poll, unless otherwise required by applicable securities listing rules or other securities laws and regulations.

 

 

Article 72

 

The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or his attorney duly authorised in writing, or if the appointor is a legal person, either under its seal or under the hand of a director or attorney duly authorised. Such written instrument shall specify the number of shares of the appointor as are represented by the proxy. If several proxies are appointed, the instrument shall specify the number of shares of the appointor as is represented by each proxy.

 

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Article 73

 

The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the seat of the Company or such other place as is specified in the notice of meeting not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote or, 24 hours before the time appointed for taking of the poll. Where such instrument is signed by a person under a power of attorney or other authority on behalf of the appointor, that power of attorney or other authority shall be notarized. A notarially certified copy of that power of attorney or other authority together with the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the seat of the Company or such other place as is specified in the notice of the meeting.

 

If the appointor is a legal person, the legal representative or such person as is by the resolution of its Board of Directors or other governing body authorised to act as its representative may attend at the shareholders' general meeting of the Company.

 

Article 74

 

Any form issued to a shareholder by the Board of Directors for use by him for appointing a proxy shall be in such as to enable the shareholder, according to his intention, to instruct the proxy to vote in favour or against each resolution dealing with business to be transacted at the meeting. Such a form shall contain a statement that in default of such instructions, the proxy may vote as he thinks fit.

 

Article 75

 

A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or loss of capacity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or power of authority or the transfer of the share in respect of which the proxy is given, provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer as aforesaid shall have been received by the Company before the commencement of the meeting at which the proxy is used.

 

Article 76

 

For connected transactions to be considered at a shareholders' general meeting, connected shareholders shall abstain from voting on such connected transactions, and the number of shares they represent carrying voting rights shall not be counted into the valid quorum to vote; the public announcements of resolutions passed at the general meeting shall fully disclose the voting of non-connected shareholders on the transactions.

 

Article 77

 

"If a proxy attends the shareholders' general meeting on behalf of an individual shareholder, that proxy should produce his identification documentation and the instrument signed by the shareholder appointing the proxy. If the legal representative of a legal person corporate shareholder appoints a proxy to attend the meeting, that proxy should produce his identification documentation and the instrument signed by the relevant legal representative appointing the proxy. If a legal person corporate shareholder appoints a proxy as is authorised by the decision of its Board of Directors or other equivalent governing body to attend the meeting on the shareholder's behalf, the proxy should produce his identification documentation and the power of attorney or letter of authorisation, issued by the relevant Board of Directors or governing body, bearing the seal of the relevant legal person shareholder. All relevant letters of appointment shall specific the date when it is issued."

 

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Article 78

 

The Board of Directors, independent directors and certain qualifying shareholders (as determined under the criteria made by relevant regulatory authorities from time to time) of the Company may canvass the Company's shareholders for votes at shareholders' general meetings. Public canvass for votes shall be made in accordance with regulations of relevant regulatory authorities and the stock exchange on which the shares of the Company are listed.

 

Article 79

 

Resolutions of the shareholders' general meeting shall be divided into ordinary resolutions and special resolutions.

 

Ordinary resolution of a shareholders' general meeting shall be passed by more than one-half of the voting rights held by the shareholders (including proxies) present at the meeting.

 

Special resolution of a shareholders' general meeting shall be passed by more than two-thirds of the voting rights held by the shareholders (including proxies) present at the meeting.

 

Shareholders (including proxies) present at the shareholder's general meeting shall specifically vote clearly for or against each resolution proposed to be passed at that meeting. Any abstained vote or waiver to vote shall be disregarded by the Company as voting rights for the purpose of calculating voting results of that resolution.

 

Article 80

 

For the purpose of voting at the shareholders' general meeting, a shareholder (including proxy) shall exercise voting rights in accordance with the number of shares carrying voting rights represented by him. Each share shall have one vote save for election of directors where a cumulative voting method is adopted as provided in Article 106 hereof. The Company's shares held by itself carry no voting right and shall not be included in the total shares with voting shares at general meetings.

 

Where any shareholder is, under the listing rules of the securities exchange(s) on which the Company's shares are listed and the relevant rules and regulations as are applicable from time to time, required to abstain from voting on any particular resolution or restricted to voting only for or only against any particular resolution at any general meeting, any votes cast by or on behalf of such shareholder in contravention of such requirement or restriction shall not be counted."

 

Article 81

 

Unless a poll be demanded by the following person before or after the voting by show of hands, or subject to the rules prescribed by any relevant exchange from time to time or any relevant laws, rules or regulations states otherwise, a resolution put to the vote at general meeting shall be decided on a show of hands :

 

(1)

The chairman of the meeting; or

 

 

(2)

At least two members present in person or by proxy having the right to vote on the resolution; or

 

 

(3)

A member or members present in person or by proxy holding, singly or in aggregate, 10 per cent. or more shares conferring the right to attend and vote at the meeting.

 

 

Unless a poll is duly demanded, a declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has on a show of hands been carried or lost and an entry to that effect in the minutes book shall be the conclusive evidence

 

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of the fact without any proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution.

 

A demand for a poll may be withdrawn by the person making such demand.

 

Article 82

 

A poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment of the meeting shall be taken forthwith, a poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the chairman of the meeting directs. The meeting may proceed to the discussion of other items. The result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.

 

Article 83

 

On a poll, a member (including proxy) entitled to two or more votes need not exercise all his voting rights in favour of or against a resolution.

 

Article 84

 

In case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.

 

Article 85

 

The following matters shall require sanction of an ordinary resolution at a shareholders' general meeting:-

 

(1)

The working reports of the Board of Directors and the supervisory committee;

 

 

(2)

Plan for distribution of profits and plans for making up losses prepared by the Board of Directors;

 

 

(3)

The appointment and removal of the members of the Board of Directors and the supervisory committee and their remuneration and method of payment;

 

 

(4)

Annual financial budgets and statements of final accounts, balance sheets, profit statements and other financial statements of the Company;

 

 

(5)

The appointment, removal or retirement of the accounting firm;

 

 

(6)

Matters not otherwise required by the laws, administrative regulations or the Articles of Association to be passed by special resolutions.

 

 

Article 86

 

The following matters shall require the sanction of a special resolution at shareholders' general meetings:

 

(1)

The increase in and reduction of the share capital of the Company, and the issue of any class of shares, warrants or other similar securities;

 

 

(2)

The issue of bonds of the Company;

 

 

(3)

The division, merger, dissolution and liquidation of the Company and major acquisitions and disposals;

 

 

(4)

Amendments to the Articles of Association;

 

 

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(5)

Revision of any rights of class shareholders;

 

 

(6)

The Company's purchase, dispose of major asset or provision of guarantee within one year that exceeds 30% of its latest audited total assets;

 

 

(7)

Any other matters set forth by laws, administrative regulations or the Articles of Association and approved by general meetings by way of an ordinary resolution to be of a nature which may have a material impact on the Company and should be adopted by a special resolution.

 

 

Article 87

 

Any resolution adopted at a shareholders' general meeting shall comply with the relevant provisions of the laws in PRC, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association.

 

Article 88

 

In the event that independent directors, the supervisory committee, or shareholders independently or collectively holding more than 10% of the company's shares request to convene an extraordinary shareholders' meeting, the following procedures shall be followed:

 

(1)

Sign one or several written requests identical in form and content asking for the Board of Directors to convene an extraordinary general meeting or a general meeting of certain class of shareholders and clarifying the agenda of the meeting. Within 10 days after receiving the written request, the board shall give written reply with regard to agree or disagree to convene the extraordinary general meeting.

 

 

(2)

When the board agrees to convene the extraordinary general meeting, it shall send notice of the meeting within 5 days after making the board resolution thereupon, and the changes to the original proposal as stated in the notice shall be subject to consent of the original proposer.

 

 

(3)

When the board disagrees to convene the extraordinary general meeting requisitioned by independent directors, it shall give reasons and make an announcement thereof.

 

 

(4)

When the board rejects the supervisory committee's request for convening an extraordinary general meeting or fails to make a reply within 10 days after receiving the proposal will be deemed as its inability to perform or non-performance of the duty to convene general meetings, in which case the supervisory committee may independently convene and chair the meeting and wherever possible, the convening procedure shall be the same as the procedure observed by the board when calling in general meetings.

 

 

(5)

When the Board rejects shareholders' proposal for convening an extraordinary general meeting, the shareholders shall propose in writing to the supervisory committee to request the holding of the meeting.

 

 

If the supervisory committee agrees to hold the meeting, it shall send the general meeting notice within 5 days after receiving the shareholders' proposal, and the changes to the original proposal as included in the notice shall be subject to consent of the original proposer.

 

If the supervisory committee fails to send the notice within the specified time limit, it will be deemed as failing to convene and chair the meeting, in which case shareholders may independently call in and host the meeting (the shareholders convening the meeting shall hold not less than 10% of the company's shares before announcement of the resolution on holding of the general meeting. Wherever possible, the convening procedure shall be the same as that observed by the board when calling in general meetings.

 

In the event that the supervisory committee or the shareholders independently convene and proceed with a general meeting on their own as per the foregoing provisions, they shall notify the Board in writing and file with the authority in charge according to applicable requirements. The Board and Board Secretary

 

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shall collaborate with the general meeting and the Board shall provide the Shareholders' Register. All reasonable expenses incurred by the meeting shall be born by the Company and deducted from the money payable by the Company to the defaulting directors.

 

Article 89

 

General meetings shall be chaired by Chairman of the Board, or by Vice Chairman of the Board when Chairman is unable to perform his duties or fails to perform his duties and attend the meetings, or by a director jointly elected by majority of directors when Vice Chairman is unable or fails to perform his duties.

 

A general meeting independently convened by the supervisory committee shall be hosted by chairman of the committee, or by vice chairman of the committee when chairman is unable to perform his duties or fails to perform his duties and attend the meeting, or by a member of the committee jointly elected by majority of all members of the committee when vice chairman is unable or fails to perform his duties.

 

A general meeting independently convened by shareholders shall be chaired by the representative elected by the convening shareholders.

 

When a general meeting becomes unable to further proceed due to the chairman's violation of the rules of proceeding, the meeting may elect a person to act as its chairman and continue if so agreed by majority of the attending shareholders with voting power.

 

Article 90

 

The chairman of the meeting shall be responsible for determining whether a resolution of the shareholders' general meeting is passed or not and his decision shall be final and conclusive and the same shall be announced at such meeting and recorded in the minutes book. The Company shall announce the resolutions of shareholders' general meeting in accordance with applicable laws and relevant requirements of the stock exchange on which the shares of the Company are listed.

 

Article 91

 

If the chairman of the meeting has any doubt as the result of a resolution put to the vote at the meeting, he may take a poll vote. If the chairman of the meeting fails to take a poll vote any shareholder who is present in person or by proxy and who objects to the result announced by the chairman of the meeting may demand a poll vote immediately after the declaration of the result, and the chairman shall take a poll vote forthwith.

 

Article 92

 

The minutes of the shareholders' general meeting shall be kept by the secretary and signed by the attending directors, supervisory committee members, board secretary, the meeting convener or his representative and the meeting chairman.

 

The resolution(s) adopted by the shareholders' general meeting shall be seen as the summary of the meeting. Both the minutes and the summary of the shareholders' general meeting shall be written in Chinese. The minutes of the meeting accompanied by the book of signatures by the participating shareholders and the powers of attorney of attending representatives etc. shall be kept at the residence of the company for a period of not less than 10 years.

 

Article 93

 

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A shareholder shall be entitled to inspect copies of minutes of any meeting free of charge during the business hours of the Company. If the shareholder demands from the Company a copy of such minutes, the Company shall send him the copy within seven days after having received reasonable charges.

 

Chapter 9

Special Procedures for the Voting of Class Shareholders

 

 

Article 94

 

Shareholders of different classes of shares shall be classified as class shareholders.

 

Class shareholders shall have rights and shall undertake obligations pursuant to the provisions of the laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association.

 

Article 95

 

The rights attached to any class of shares may be varied or abrogated only with the sanction of a special resolution passed at the shareholders' general meeting and by holders of shares of the affected class passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of shares of the class convened in accordance with Article 97 to Article 101 respectively.

 

Article 96

 

The following shall be considered as a variation or abrogation of the rights of class shareholders:-

 

(1)

to Increase or reduce the number of shares in that class or to increase or reduce the number of shares in a class of shares which have rights on voting, distribution or other privileges equal or superior to that class of shares;

 

 

(2)

to exchange all or a portion of shares of that class for shares of another class, or to exchange all or a portion of the shares of another class for shares of that class or to grant the rights to exchange the same;

 

 

(3)

to cancel or reduce the rights to claiming all the accrued dividends or cumulative dividends of shares of that class;

 

 

(4)

to reduce or cancel the preferential rights of that class to claim the dividends or the distribution of assets upon the liquidation of the Company;

 

 

(5)

to increase, cancel or reduce the rights to conversion of shares, options, voting rights, rights of transfer, preemptive rights and the rights to acquire the securities of the Company of that class;

 

 

(6)

to cancel or reduce the rights to receive the monies payable by the Company in a particular currency of that class;

 

 

(7)

to create a new class of shares which have the rights to vote, distribution and other privileges equal or superior to that class of shares;

 

 

(8)

to restrict or to impose more restrictions on the transfer or ownership of that class of shares;

 

 

(9)

to issue options or rights on subscription for or conversion of shares into that class or another class of shares;

 

 

(10)

to increase the rights and privileges of another class of shares;

 

 

(11)

to re-structure the Company in such a way that different class shareholders will

 

 

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undertake disproportionate obligations under the proposed restructuring;

 

 

(12)

to vary or abrogate the provisions of in this Chapter 9.

 

 

Article 97

 

The class shareholders so affected whether or not otherwise have voting rights at a shareholders' general meeting, shall be entitled to vote at the class meeting involving matters provided in paragraphs (2) to (8) and (11) to (12) of Article 96, provided that any interested shareholders shall not be entitled to vote at that class meeting.

 

The meaning of an interested shareholder as referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be as follows:

 

(1)

Where the Company has made a repurchase offer to all shareholders in the same proportion in accordance with the provisions of Article 30 of the Articles of Association or repurchases its shares on a stock exchange through open transactions, "interested shareholder" shall mean the controlling shareholder as defined in Article 57 of the Articles of Association;

 

 

(2)

Where the Company repurchases its shares by way of an agreement otherwise than on a stock exchange in accordance with the provisions of Article 30 of the Articles of Association, "interested shareholder" shall mean the shareholder to which the agreement relates;

 

 

(3)

In the case of a restructuring of the Company, "interested shareholder" shall mean a shareholder who undertakes obligations by a lower proportion than that of other shareholders of the same class, or a shareholder who holds interests different from those held by other shareholders of the same class.

 

 

Article 98

 

Resolution of a class meeting shall be passed by two-thirds or more of the shares with voting rights held by the class shareholders who, according to Article 97 are entitled to vote at that class meeting.

 

Where any shareholder is, under the listing rules of the stock exchange on which the shares of the Company are listed and the relevant rules and regulations as are applicable from time to time, required to abstain from voting on any particular resolution or restricted to voting only for or only against any particular resolution at any general meeting, any votes cast by or on behalf of such shareholder in contravention of such requirement or restriction shall not be counted.

 

Article 99

 

The Company shall, 45 days before the date of class meeting of shareholders (including the date of meeting) , send written notice of the class meeting and inform all registered shareholders of that class of the matters to be considered at the class meeting and the date and venue of the class meeting. Those shareholders of the class who intend to attend shall send the written reply to the Company 20 days before the class meeting.

 

"If the number of voting shares represented by shareholders who intend to attend the meeting amount to more than one-half of the Company's total voting shares, the Company may hold the meeting; otherwise, the Company shall within five days notify the shareholders, again by way of public announcement, of the matters to be considered at, and the place and date for, the meeting. The Company may then proceed to hold the meeting, provided always that the quorum for any separate class meeting (other than an adjourned meeting) to consider a variation of the rights of any class of the Company's shares shall be the holders of at least one-third of the issued shares of the class concerned."

 

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Article 100

 

The notice of a class meeting shall only be given to the shareholders who are entitled to vote at such meeting only.

 

The proceedings of a class meeting shall be as nearly as possible as that of a shareholders' general meeting. The provisions in the Articles of Association relating to the proceedings of a shareholders' general meeting shall apply to the class meeting.

 

Article 101

 

In addition to holders of other classes of shares, domestic shareholders and shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares shall be deemed to be different classes of shareholders.

 

The special procedures for voting of class shareholders shall not apply to the following circumstances:-

 

(1)

Where, upon approval by a special resolution passed at a shareholders general meeting, the Company issues domestic shares and overseas listed foreign shares either separately or concurrently once every twelve months, and the total amount of the domestic shares and overseas listed foreign shares so issued do not exceed 20 per cent. of their total issued amount respectively; or

 

 

(2)

Where the Company plans to issue domestic shares and overseas listed foreign shares on establishment, to be implemented within fifteen months from the date of approval by the State Council Securities Commission.

 

 

Chapter10

Board of Directors

 

 

Article 102

 

There shall be a Board of Directors comprising nine members. External directors (being directors not internally employed by the Company, such term having the same meaning as hereinafter appearing) shall account for more than one-half in number of members of the Board of Directors, of which there shall be one-third or more independent (non-executive) directors (being a director independent from the shareholders of the Company and not internally employed by the Company, such term having the same meaning as hereinafter appearing) .

 

The Board of Directors shall have one chairman to manage the affairs authorised by the Board of Directors.

 

"The Board of Directors shall, as and when considered necessary under the circumstances, establish professional committees such as strategic and development, audit, remuneration and nomination committees. The Audit Committee shall consist only of independent Directors, at least one of whom is an independent Director with accounting professional qualifications. The majority of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee members shall be independent Directors."

 

Article 103

 

"Directors are natural persons who are not required to hold any qualifying shares in the Company."

 

Article 104

 

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Directors shall be elected at a shareholders' general meeting, for a term of three years (from the election date to the date on which the new Board of Directors is elected by general meeting) . At the expiry of a director's term of office, the term is renewable upon re-election, but any Independent Director cannot keep the position continually for over six years.

 

The List of Director Nominees shall be sent as a motion to the shareholders' general meeting for resolution. The nominee for a Director other than Independent Director shall be named by the Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and a shareholder holding individually or more shareholders holding collectively more than 3% of the total shares with voting rights. The nominated director will be elected by shareholders in general meetings.

 

The minimum length of the period, during which written notice to the Company of the intention to propose a person for election as a Director and during which notice to the Company by such person of his willingness to be elected may be given, shall be at least seven days. The period for lodgment of such notices mentioned above will commence no earlier than the day after the despatch of the notice of the meeting appointed for such election and end no later than seven days prior to the date of such meeting.

 

The number of persons to be elected as Directors for each term shall not be less than that as is stipulated under Article 102 of the Articles of Association, and shall not be more than the maximum number of Directors as is determined by way of an ordinary resolution at the shareholders' general meeting. In the event that the number of persons who are approved at the shareholders' general meeting to be elected as Directors exceeds the proposed maximum number, up to the proposed maximum number of the Directors shall be elected in accordance with and in the sequence of the number of votes each of such persons acquired.

 

External directors shall have sufficient time and the necessary knowledge and skills in order to be capable of performing their duties. In performing his duties by an external director, the Company shall provide all the necessary information. Among other things, independent (non-executive) directors may report directly to the shareholders' general meeting, the securities supervisory and regulatory body of the State Council and to other relevant departments.

 

The executive Directors shall take charge of such matters as are authorised by the Board of Directors."

 

Article 105

 

"The following procedures shall have been carried out prior to the election of any non-independent Director:

 

(1)

The party nominating any non-independent Director candidate shall have obtained the nominee's consent prior to the nomination, be fully aware of such particulars of the nominee as his occupation, academic background, professional title, detailed work experience and all information regarding his positions held concurrently, and shall be responsible for providing to the Company written materials pertaining to such particulars. The candidate shall undertake to the Company in writing that he agrees to accept the nomination, and that the disclosed information about him is true and complete. He shall also warrant to conscientiously perform his responsibilities as a Director upon being elected.

 

 

(2)

If the nomination of the non-independent director candidate occurs before the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company, and if the applicable law, administrative regulations and/or related regulations concerning the listing have regulations concerning the above-mentioned nomination, the materials in written form concerning the nominee's information as mentioned in Clause (1) of this Article shall be announced together with the resolution of the Board of Directors in accordance with such regulations.

 

 

(3)

If a temporary proposal for the election of the non-independent director is put forward by the shareholder(s) , either individually or collectively, holding over 3% of the total shares of the Company, which have the right to vote, the below documents shall be submitted to the Company 10 days before

 

 

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the general meeting: the circular in written form concerning the nominated director candidate's intention and the nominee's consent of the nomination, and the written materials of the nominee's information and the nominee's guarantee as mentioned in Clause (1) of this Article. This kind of circular shall be announced neither earlier than the day after the proclamation of the circular concerning the holding the meeting for the election of the director, nor later than the 7th day after the meeting circular.

 

Article 106

 

If the controlling interest of the Company's controlling shareholder reaches more than 30 per cent., when the shareholders' general meeting votes on a motion to elect a director, cumulative voting shall be used, i.e., when more than two directors are being elected at a general meeting of the shareholders, each of the shares held by the shareholders participating in the vote shall carry voting rights equal in number to the number of director candidates; a shareholder may cast all of his votes for one candidate or may split his votes and cast them for more than one candidate.

 

Article 107

 

The chairman and vice-chairman of the Board of Directors shall be elected or removed by more than one half of all the Directors. The term of office of the chairman and vice chairman of the Board of Directors shall be 3 years, renewable upon re-election and reappointment

 

Article 108

 

The Board of Directors shall be responsible to the shareholders' general meeting and shall have the following powers and duties:

 

(1)

Be responsible for convening shareholders' general meeting and to report on its work to the shareholders' general meeting;

 

 

(2)

Implement resolutions of the shareholders' general meeting;

 

 

(3)

Determine the business plans and investment proposals of the Company;

 

 

(4)

Prepare the annual financial budgets and final accounts of the Company;

 

 

(5)

Decide the annual loan arrangements and financing plans of the Company;

 

 

(6)

Prepare plans for profit distribution and plans for making up losses for the Company;

 

 

(7)

Develop the debt and financial policy of the Company, the plans concerning the increase or decrease of the registered capital of the Company, issuance of the debentures, other securities.;

 

 

(8)

Formulate proposals for major acquisitions or disposals and for the merger, division and termination of the Company;

 

 

(9)

Determine other external guarantee matters subject to approval of general meeting according to laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association of the company;

 

 

(10)

Determine the company's external investment, acquisition/sale of assets, asset mortgage, delegated financial management and related transactions within the terms of reference authorized by general meeting.;

 

 

(11)

Decide on the internal management structure of the Company;

 

 

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(12)

Appoint or dismiss the General Manager of the Company, based on the General Manager's nomination and recommendation, appoint or dismiss the Senior Deputy Manager, the Vice General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary of the Board of Directors, and decide their remunerations;

 

 

 

Appoint or change the members of the Board of Directors and the members of the Board of Supervisors of the wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, and appoint, change or recommend the shareholders' representatives, the directors and the supervisors of the jointly-owned subsidiaries of the Company;

(13) Determine the branch structure of the Company

 

 

(14)

Formulate proposals for amendments of the Articles of Association;

 

 

(15)

Set up the basic management systems of the Company

 

 

(16)

Decide all important and administrative issues, and sign all the important agreements except for issues to be decided by the shareholders' general meetings as regulated by the Companies Law and this Articles of Association; and

 

 

(17)

Exercise other functions and powers authorized by the shareholders' general meeting and this Articles of Association.

 

 

Except that issues stated in Clause (7), (8), (9) and (14) shall be passed by two thirds of the directors, all above-mentioned issues shall be passed by over half of the directors.

 

A director related to an enterprise concerned in matters subject to resolution at a board meeting shall neither exercise his own voting power on the resolution nor vote on it on behalf of any other director. The board meeting may proceed when majority of unrelated directors are present, the resolutions of the meeting shall be subject to endorsement of majority of unrelated directors, and the matters requiring votes of more than two thirds of all directors shall be subject to approval of more than two thirds of all unrelated directors. When there are less than three unrelated directors attending the board meeting, the matter shall be submitted to a general meeting for discussion.

 

Validity of a resolution of the Board of Directors on connected transactions of the Company shall be conditional upon signatures of independent (non-executive) directors.

 

Article 109

 

Chairman may excise certain powers of the Board of Directors within its authorisation during the intermission of the Board meetings. Such authorisation shall be clear and specific.

 

Article 110

 

If the Board of Directors proposes to dispose of the Company's fixed assets, where the aggregate of the amount or value of the consideration for the proposed disposal and where any fixed assets of the Company have been disposed of in the period of 4 months immediately preceding the proposed disposal, the amount or value of the consideration for any such disposal in that period exceeds 33 per cent of the value of the fixed assets as shown in the latest balance sheet laid before the Company in shareholders' general meeting held, the Board of Directors shall not dispose of or agree to dispose of the said fixed assets without the prior approval of the shareholders' general meeting.

 

The proposed disposal of fixed assets referred to in this article shall include the acts of transferring certain interests in that assets but exclude the acts of charging that fixed assets by way of security.

 

The validity of the transaction on the disposal of fixed assets by the Company shall not be affected by the breach of the first paragraph of this article.

 

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Article 111

 

The Board of Directors is entitled to make decisions on any investment (including venture investment projects) or acquisition, the value of which is less than 25% of the latest available audited total asset value (or the total market value) of the Company. The Board of Directors shall invite experts and professionals concerned to evaluate the investments or acquisition projects that exceed its approval limits, and report to the shareholders' general meeting for approval.

 

When the Board of Directors makes decisions in the respect of market development, merger and acquisition, and investment in a new field, it shall appoint external consultants and agencies for professional opinions, which shall serve as the key reference for the decision making of the Board of Directors concerning projects of any investment, merger or acquisition, the value of which exceeds 10% of the total assets of the Company.

 

Article 112

 

The chairman shall have the following powers and duties:

 

(1)

Preside over the shareholders' general meeting and to convene and preside over the meeting of the Board of Directors;

 

 

(2)

Organize to execute the duties of the Board of Directors and examine the implementation of the resolutions of the Board of Directors;

 

 

(3)

Sign the securities issued by the Company;

 

 

(4)

Other powers conferred by the Board of Directors.

 

 

Vice Chairman of the Board shall assist the Board Chairman and perform duties on behalf of the Board Chairman when he is unable or fails to do so by himself; or a director jointly elected by majority of directors shall perform the duties when Vice Chairman is unable or fails to do so.

 

Article 113

 

The board meeting shall be held at least 4 times per year and convened by the Board Chairman. All directors and supervisory committee members shall be informed of the board meeting 14 days before the meeting.

 

The Board Chairman shall convene the temporary board meeting within 10 days of below cases regardless of the foregoing meeting notification time limits:

 

(1)

Proposed by shareholders representing more than 10% of votes;

 

 

(2)

If jointly proposed by one-third or more of directors;

 

 

(3)

if jointly proposed by one half of independent directors;

 

 

(4)

if proposed by the supervisory committee;

 

 

(5)

if proposed by the manager;

 

 

Meeting of the Board of Directors shall in principle be held at the seat of the Company.

 

The language used at the meeting of the Board of Directors shall be Chinese. Where necessary, interpreters may also attend the meeting to provide simultaneous interpretation service between Chinese and English languages.

 

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[External directors of the Company shall regularly meet other directors on the occasion of absence of the management to keep informed of the operation of the Company]

 

Article 114

 

Notice of the meeting of the Board of Directors shall be served in the following manner:

 

(1)

Where the time and place of regular meeting of the Board of Directors have been fixed by the Board of Directors in advance, no notice shall be served.

 

 

(2)

If the Board of Directors has not decided the time and the venue of the board meetings, the Board Chairman shall advise all directors and supervisory committee members at least 14 days prior to the meeting about the time and the venue of the meeting via telefax, telegraph, facsimile, courier, registered post, or specifically designated persons, whereas in cases described otherwise by Article 113 of this Chapter, the above-mentioned regulation is not applicable.

 

 

(3)

The notice shall be in Chinese and, if necessary, an English version of the same shall be enclosed therein and the notice shall include agenda of the meeting. Any director may waive the right to receive notice of the meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

 

Article 115

 

All such major and important matters which require the approval of the Board of Directors shall be notified to all executive directors and external directors within the prescribed time limit under Article 114, sufficient information shall be supplied and the stipulated requirements in relation to the conduct of such procedures shall be strictly adhered to. Directors may request the provision of supplemental materials. When more than one-fourth of directors or more than two external directors are of the view that the materials are not sufficient or the submission is inaccurate, they may propose to postpone the meeting of the Board of Directors or to postpone the discussion of certain matters in the meeting of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall so adopt.

 

A director shall be deemed to have received the notice of meeting if he is present at the meeting and does not raise the issue of the non-receipt of such notice prior to or at the time of his arrival at the meeting.

 

The regular meeting or interim meeting of the Board of Directors may be held by conference telephone or similar communication device. So long as all the directors participating at the meeting can clearly hear and communicate with each other, all such directors at the meeting shall be deemed to be present in person at the meeting.

 

Article 116

 

The quorum of the meeting of the Board of Directors shall be more than one-half of the directors (including those directors who have been appointed in writing by other directors to attend the meeting on their behalf under Article 117 of the Articles of Association). Each director shall have one vote. Resolutions of the meeting of the Board of Directors shall be passed by a simple majority of all the directors. In case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a second vote.

 

Article 117

 

The directors shall be present in person at the board meeting. In case that a director cannot be present at the meeting, he shall give a written authorization asking another director to be present on his behalf at the meeting. The written authorization shall indicate clearly the name, matter, authority of the authorized agent

 

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and the validity term of the authorization.

 

A director who fails in attendance for continuous two times and appoint no other director for attendance to meeting of the Board of Directors shall be deemed as ineligible and proposed by the Board of Directors to the shareholders' general meeting for removal.

 

The director attending a meeting on other's behalf shall exercise the rights of the director who appoints him or within the scope of the authorization. If a director is unable to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors and has not appointed a representative to attend the meeting on his behalf, he shall be deemed to have waived his right to vote at such meeting.

 

The expenses incurred by the directors in attending a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be borne by the Company. These expenses include transportation fees between the location of the director and the place of meeting and charges for accommodation and meals during the period of the meeting of the Board of Directors. Miscellaneous expenses such as rental of the venue of the meeting and local transportation fees shall also be borne by the Company.

 

Article 118

 

The Board of Directors may accept resolutions in writing in lieu of convening a meeting of the Board of Directors. However, the draft of such resolutions shall be sent to every director by hand or by post, telex, facsimile or email. A resolution shall be a director's resolution without convening a meeting of the Board of Directors if it has been sent to all directors by the Board of Directors and approved and signed by the requisite number of directors to pass the resolution and sent back to the Secretary by one of the aforesaid means.

 

Article 119

 

The Board meeting shall be recorded in Chinese and minutes shall be kept of all resolutions passed at the meetings and at non-convened Board meetings. Any Director present at a meeting is entitled to ask the Board meeting to write explanatory notes for his speeches delivered at the meeting. The independent non-executive Directors' opinions shall be clearly stated in the resolution of the relevant Board meeting. The minutes of each Board meeting shall be given to all Directors as soon as possible for their review. The Directors who want to make adjustments or supplements to the minutes shall submit their written reports concerning their revision opinions to the chairman of the Board within one week of their receipt of the minutes. After the minutes are finalized, each

 

Director present at the Board meeting and the recorder of the minutes shall sign the minutes. The minutes of the Board meetings shall be kept at the registered address of the Company, and a copy of shall be delivered as soon as possible to each Director. The meeting minutes shall be kept for not less than 10 years.

 

The directors shall be responsible for the resolutions passed at the meetings of the BoardAny director who participates in a resolution in violation of any laws, administrative regulations or the provisions of the Articles of Association which causes material damages to the Company shall be liable for the compensation incurred by the Company as a result. A director who votes against the resolution and who has been proved as having expressed dissenting opinions on the resolution and such opinions are recorded in the minutes of the meeting is exempted from such liability.

 

Article 120

 

Any written resolution without execution by directors in accordance with legal procedures, even agreed by each director by otherwise means, shall not come into legal force as a resolution of the Board.

 

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The directors who have voted for a resolution of the board meeting that are in breach of laws, administrative regulations, the Articles of Association and general meeting resolutions of the company shall be directly liable of it; the directors who are proven to have voted against such resolution during the voting and whose dissents have been recorded in the cahier of the board meeting can be exempted from liabilities; the directors who have given up his vote, or who have been absent at the meeting and have not authorized another person to be present on his behalf at the meeting shall not be exempted from liabilities; and the directors who have clearly expressed his dissent during the discussion but have not voted against the resolution shall not be exempted from liabilities.

 

Article 121

 

Subject to compliance with all relevant laws and administrative regulations, the shareholders' general meeting may by ordinary resolution remove any director before the expiry of his term of office. However, the director's right to claim for damages which arise out from his removal shall not be affected thereby.

 

Article 122

 

A director may resign before his term of office expires. The director who wants to resign shall submit a written resignation report to the Board of Directors. The independent director who wants to resign shall also explain issues related to his resignation or to the issues that he regards as necessary for shareholders and creditors of the Company to pay attention.

 

If a director's resignation results in the existing number of members of the Board of Directors to be less than the minimum quorum of the Board of Directors, the director's resignation report shall not come into effect until the vacancy resulted from his resignation is filled by his successor. Other directors of the Board of Directors shall hold a shareholder's general meeting to elect a new director at soonest. Before the shareholders' general meeting makes its resolution, the functions and the powers of the director who wants to resign and other members of the Board of Directors shall be reasonably restricted.

 

When an independent director has resigned and consequently caused the number of independent directors or board members falls below the quorum or the number required by the Articles of Association, the resigning independent director shall continue to perform his duties according to laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association until and before the replacing independent director assumes the office. The Board shall convene a general meeting to appoint a replacing independent director within two months and if it fails to do so, the resigning independent director may stop performing his duties.

 

Except for the above circumstance, a director's resignation shall take effect from the time when the resignation report arrives at the Board.

 

Chapter11

Independent Directors

 

 

Article 123

 

Independent directors shall faithfully perform their duties, protect the company's interests and particularly protect the legal rights and interests of public shareholders of the company.

 

Independent directors shall perform their duties independently without being affected by the company's majority shareholders, actual controller or the institutions or individuals interested in the company's majority shareholders or actual controller.

 

Article 124

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An independent director candidate of the Company shall be nominated by the Board of Directors, the supervisory committee, or shareholder(s) individually or jointly holding more than 1 per cent of the total shares carrying the voting right, and shall be elected at shareholders' general meetings of the Company.

 

(1)

The party nominating any independent director candidate shall have obtained the nominee's consent prior to the nomination, be fully aware of such particulars of the nominee as his occupation, academic background, professional title, detailed work experience and all information regarding his positions held concurrently, and shall be responsible for providing to the Company written materials pertaining to such particulars. The candidate shall undertake to the Company in writing that he agrees to accept the nomination, and that the disclosed information about him is true and complete. He shall also warrant to conscientiously perform his responsibilities as a director upon being elected.

 

 

(2)

The party nominating any independent director shall give his opinions as to the nominee's qualification and independency as an independent director. If required under any applicable laws, rules and regulations and/or the applicable listing rules, the nominee shall make a public announcement in accordance with such regulations stating that there exists no relationship between the Company and him that affects his independent and objective judgment.

 

 

(3)

If the nomination of any independent director candidate occurs before the meeting of the Board of Directors, the written materials pertaining to the particulars of the nominee described in the first paragraph of this Article shall, if required under applicable laws, rules and regulations and/or relevant listing rules and in accordance with such requirements, be announced together with the resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

 

(4)

If a temporary proposal for the election of the independent director is put forward by the shareholder(s) , either individually or jointly, holding over 3% of the total shares of the Company, which have the right to vote, the below documents shall be submitted to the Company 16 days before the general meeting: the circular in written form concerning the nominated director candidate's intention and the nominee's consent of the nomination, and the written materials of the nominee's information and the nominee's guarantee as mentioned in Clause (1) and Clause (2) of this Article.

 

 

(5)

Before the shareholders' general meeting for the election of the independent director, if the applicable laws, rules and regulations and/or the applicable listing rules have related regulations, the Company shall submit the related materials concerning the nominee to the securities authorities under the leadership of the State Council and/or its dispatched institution and the stock exchange where the stock of the Company is listed. If the Board of Directors dissents from the nominee's information, it shall submit its written opinions to the related authorities. The nominee on whom the securities authorities under the leadership of the State Council do not agree shall not be considered independent director candidate. When the shareholders' general meeting is held for the election of the independent director, the Board of Directors of the Company shall explain whether the securities authorities under the leadership of the State Council dissent from the nominee.

 

 

Article 125

 

The independent director shall meet the following basic requirements:

 

(1)

He shall be qualified to take the position of an independent director in accordance with the law, administrative rules and regulations and other relevant regulations;

 

 

(2)

He shall be independent as is required by applicable laws, administrative rules and regulations, organizational rules and regulations, and the relevant listing rules;

 

 

(3)

He shall have basic knowledge of the operation of a listed company, and has acquaintance with relevant laws, administrative rules, regulations and guidelines and principles (including but not restricted to accounting principles);

 

 

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(4)

He shall have more than 5 years' legal or economic work experience or other work experience necessary for the discharge of the functions of an independent director; and

 

 

(5)

He shall meet other conditions provided for under the Articles of Association.

 

 

Article 126

 

The independent director shall be independent. In addition to such requirements as provided for under any applicable laws, rules and regulations and the relevant listing rules, the following persons shall not be the Company's independent directors:

 

(1)

Staff of the Company or its affiliated companies, their lineal relatives or persons who have a major social relationship with any of them (lineal relatives referring to persons being spouse, parents and children; and a major social relationship being relationship of brothers and sisters, parents-in-law, children-in-law, spouse of brothers and sisters, and the spouse's brothers and sisters etc.) ;

 

 

(2)

Any natural person who directly or indirectly holds more than 1 per cent of the shares issued by the Company, or any natural person shareholder who is among the 10 largest shareholders of the Company, and their respective lineal relatives;

 

 

(3)

Any employee of any organizational or corporate shareholder that directly or indirectly holds more than 5 per cent of the shares issued by the Company, or any employee of any of the 5 largest organizational or corporate shareholders of the Company, and their respective lineal relatives;

 

 

(4)

Any person who was a person mentioned in any of the above-mentioned three categories during the last one year;

 

 

(5)

Any person who provides financial, legal or advisory services to the Company or to its affiliated companies; and

 

 

(6)

Any person who has been determined as being not fit and proper to serve as an independent director by the securities regulatory authority of the State Council.

 

 

Article 127

 

The Board of Directors shall apply to the shareholders' general meeting to dismiss or replace the independent director who has not been present at the board meeting in person in succession. Except for the foregoing circumstances or other circumstances preventing a person from the office of director as set forth in laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association, independent directors shall not be dismissed until the expiry of their term of office without reason. The Company shall announce the dismissal before the due date as special issue, while the independent director who believes his dismissal unreasonable may make a public announcement.

 

Article 128

 

In addition to the functions and powers stipulated by the Company Law of the People's Republic of China, other applicable laws, administrative rules and regulations and the Articles of Association, the independent directors shall have the following specific functions and powers:

 

(1)

In respect of significant connected transactions that shall be considered at the shareholders' general meeting as required by the law, rules and regulations and applicable listing rules, and in respect of appointment and dismissal of the Company's accounting firm (if required under applicable laws, rules and regulations and/or applicable listing rules) , the relevant requirements shall be observed; and if half of the independent directors approve of the relevant matters, such matters shall be put forward to the Board of Directors for discussion. The resolution of the Board of

 

 

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Directors in respect of connected transactions shall not become effective until each independent director has signed the relevant resolution. Before any independent director arrives at his decision, he may employ agency firms to provide an independent financial advisory advice as the basis of his decision;

(2)

The independent directors shall propose to the Board of Directors in respect of proposals to retain or dismiss an accounting firm;

 

 

(3)

The independent directors may request the Board of Directors to convene extraordinary shareholders' general meetings;

 

 

(4)

The independent directors shall propose to convene Board meetings;

 

 

(5)

The independent directors shall retain external independent auditors and consulting advisors;

 

 

(6)

The independent directors may publicly canvass for votes from shareholders prior to shareholders' general meetings; and

 

 

(7)

The independent directors may directly report to the shareholders' general meeting, the securities regulatory authority of the State Council, and other relevant regulatory authorities.

 

 

An independent director exercising authority described in Clauses (2) , (3) , (4) , (6) and (7) under the present article shall obtain prior consent of more than half of all independent directors, and of all independent directors when the authority concerned in Clause (5) is concerned.

 

When independent directors engage external auditors and consultants to provide auditing of and advice on the company's specific matters, the company shall bear the costs and expenses incurred therefrom.

 

Article 129

 

In addition to exercising the above-mentioned functions and powers, the independent directors shall also provide independent opinions to the Board of Directors or the shareholders' general meetings concerning the following issues:

 

(1)

Nomination, appointment and dismissal of directors;

 

 

(2)

Appointment or dismissal of any member of the Company's senior management;

 

 

(3)

Remuneration of directors and members of the Company's senior management;

 

 

(4)

Issues that the independent directors consider possible to impair on the rights and interests of minority shareholders;

 

 

(5)

Important capital transfers between the Company and the shareholders or between the Company and its affiliated enterprises;

 

 

(6)

Preliminary distribution plan of the cash profit that the Board of Directors has not made; and

 

 

(7)

Other issues regulated by applicable laws, rules and regulations and the Articles of Association.

 

 

Each of the independent directors shall provide his comments to the above issues by way of: either agreeing to the relevant proposal; reserving his opinion with reasons; objecting to the relevant proposal with reasons; or expressing his view as not being able to provide his comments by demonstrating the difficulties that he encounters or foresees.

 

Article 130

 

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Independent directors shall attend board meetings punctually, understand the company's production and operation developments, and initiatively investigate and obtain necessary information and materials for decision making. Independent directors shall submit annual report of all independent directors to general meeting of the Company accounting for the performance of their functions and responsibilities.

 

Article 131

 

The company shall establish the working system of independent directors and the board secretary shall actively assist independent directors in performing their duties. The company shall ensure that independent directors enjoy the same information access as other directors, provide relevant information and materials to independent directors in a timely manner, regularly inform the company's business results to them, and organize field visits for them when necessary.

 

Chapter 12

Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Company

 

 

Article 132

 

The Company shall have one secretary of the Board of Directors. The Secretary is a senior executive of the Company.

 

Article 133

 

The Secretary shall be a natural person who has the requisite professional knowledge and experience. The Secretary shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.

 

The primary tasks of the Secretary of the Board include:

 

(1)

to assist the directors in the day-to-day work of the Board of Directors; continuously provide the directors with, remind the directors of and ensure that the directors understand the laws, regulations, policies and requirements of the domestic and foreign regulatory authorities concerning operation of the Company, and assist the directors and the manager in performing their functions and exercising their powers in compliance with relevant domestic and foreign laws and regulations, the Articles of Association and other relevant regulations;

 

 

(2)

to organise and prepare documents for board meetings and general meetings of shareholders, take proper minutes of the meetings, ensure that the meetings are conducted in accordance with statutory legal procedures, and oversee the implementation of the board resolutions;

 

 

(3)

to be responsible for the organisation and coordination of information disclosure, coordinate the relationship with investors, and enhance transparency of the Company;;

 

 

(4)

to participate in the structuring of financing through capital markets;

 

 

(5)

to liaise with intermediaries, regulatory authorities and media, and maintain good public relations.

 

 

The scope of duties of the Secretary of the Board is:

 

(1)

to organise and prepare for the board meetings and general meetings of shareholders, prepare documents for such meetings, to make relevant arrangements for the meetings, be responsible for taking minutes of the meeting, to ensure the accuracy of the minutes, keep documents and minutes of the meeting and to actively learn about the implementation of relevant resolutions; to report and make recommendations to the Board of Directors on important implementation issues;

 

 

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(2)

to ensure that important decisions of the Board of Directors will be implemented in strict compliance with the required procedures; at the request of the Board of Directors, to participate in, and organise the consultation and analysis of matters to be decided by the Board of Directors and provide relevant advice and recommendations thereon, and carry out the day-to-day work of the Board of Directors and its relevant committees upon authorization;

 

 

(3)

to act as the contact person of the Company with securities regulatory authorities, be responsible for the organisation and preparation and timely submission of documents required by the regulatory authorities, be responsible for undertaking and organizing completion of the tasks entrusted by the regulatory authorities;

 

 

(4)

to be responsible for coordinating and organizing the Company's information disclosure matters, setting up a sound information disclosure system, participating in all meetings of the Company in relation to information disclosure, gain in a timely manner knowledge of important business decisions and relevant information of the Company;

 

 

(5)

to be responsible for keeping confidential price-sensitive information of the Company and formulating effective confidentiality rules and measures; in the event of the disclosure of any price-sensitive information of the Company for whatever reason, take necessary remedial measures, make prompt explanation and clarification of such matters and notify the regulatory authority at the place of relevant overseas listing and the CSRC;

 

 

(6)

to be responsible for the coordination and organisation of market promotions, coordinate visits to the Company, to deal with investor relationships, maintain contact with investors, intermediaries and the media, to be responsible for coordinating and answering questions raised by the public, ensure that investors can promptly obtain the information disclosed by the Company, organise and prepare for marketing and promotion activities within and outside the PRC, to draw up summary reports on market promotion activities and important visits to the Company and organise the reporting of the same to the CSRC;

 

 

(7)

to be responsible for administering and keeping the Company's register of members, register of the directors, records of shareholdings of major shareholders and directors and list of the holders of the outstanding debentures of the Company in issue;

 

 

(8)

to assist the directors and the manager in implementing domestic and foreign laws, regulations, the Articles of Association and other relevant regulations in exercising their powers; after becoming aware that any resolutions made or likely to be made by the Company are in breach of relevant regulations, promptly give a reminder of such circumstances, and have the right to report such facts to the CSRC and other regulatory authorities.

 

 

(9)

to coordinate the provision of necessary information to facilitate the Company's Supervisory Committee and other auditing institutions in performing their supervisory duties, and to assist in the investigations as to whether the Company's financial controller, directors and manager have performed their fiduciary duties; and

 

 

(10)

Exercise other powers conferred by the Board of Directors and other relevant powers as may be required or provided for under laws and the relevant securities exchange(s) on which the Company's shares are listed.

 

 

Article 134

 

Any director or senior executive of the Company (other than the manager and financial controller) may be appointed as the Secretary. Any accountant of the accounting firm appointed by the Company shall not be appointed the Secretary of the Board of Directors.

 

Where the Secretary is also a director and an act is required to be done by a director and a Secretary separately, such person who is acting both as director and the Secretary shall not perform the act in both

 

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capacities.

 

Article 135

 

The Secretary shall perform his duties diligently in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association.

 

The Secretary shall assist to ensure that the Company complies with the relevant laws of PRC and the regulations of the stock exchange on which the shares of the Company are listed.

 

Chapter 13

Manager of the Company

 

 

Article 136

 

The Company shall have in place one manager who shall be nominated by the Chairman, and appointed or dismissed by the Board of Directors.

 

The Company shall have one senior vice president, several vice presidents and one financial controller to assist the president. The senior vice president, vice presidents and financial controller shall be nominated by the president and appointed or removed by the Board of Directors.

 

The Directors can be appointed concurrently as president, senior vice president, vice president or other senior management positions, but the number of the foregoing directors shall not surpass one-half of the total directors of the Company.

 

Article 137

 

The tenure of the president is three years, which can be renewed through reappointment.

 

Article 138

 

The manager shall be responsible to the Board of Directors and shall have the following powers and duties:-

 

(1)

to be responsible for the production and management of the Company, organize the implementation of the resolutions of the Board of Directors

 

 

(2)

to organize the implementation of the annual business plans and investment proposals of the Company;

 

 

(3)

to make proposals in relation to the Company's internal management structure;

 

 

(4)

to make the establishment plan for branches of the Company;

 

 

(5)

to make proposals in relation to the Company's basic management system;

 

 

(6)

to Prepare the basic rules and regulations of the Company;

 

 

(7)

to propose the appointment or dismissal of the Company's senior vice president, vice president(s) and the financial controller;

 

 

(8)

to employ and dismiss management staff other than those who shall be employed and dismissed by the Board of Directors;

 

 

(9)

to propose to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Directors;

 

 

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(10)

other powers conferred by the Articles of Association and the Board of Directors.

 

 

Article 139

 

The manager shall report to the Board of Directors or as requested by the supervisory committee the conclusion of major contracts of the Company, contract implementation status, capital operation and the Company's profit and loss conditions. The manager shall guarantee the authenticity of the report.

 

Article 140

 

The manager not being a director shall attend the meeting of the Board of Directors as non-voting participants and has the right to receive the notice for the meeting and relevant documents, without voting rights at the meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Article 141

 

When the president, senior vice president, vice presidents and financial controllers are performing their functions and powers, they shall not change the resolution of the shareholders' general meeting and the Board of Directors, nor shall they exceed the scope of authorization.

 

Article 142

 

The president, senior vice president, vice presidents and the financial controllers in performing their functions and powers shall act honestly and diligently and in accordance with laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association.

 

Article 143

 

In the event that the president, senior vice president, vice presidents, financial controllers or members of senior management resign, they shall notify, in writing, the Board of Directors three months in advance; in the event that the department managers resign, they shall notify the president in writing two months in advance.

Chapter 14

Supervisory Committee

 

 

Article 144

 

The Company shall have a supervisory committee. The Supervisory Committee is a standing supervisory agency of the Company which is responsible of the supervision of the Board of Directors and its members and senior officers such as the president, senior vice-president, vice presidents, and financial controllers so as to prevent them from the misuse of authority and infringing upon the legal rights of the shareholder, the Company and the Company's employees.

 

Article 145

 

The Supervisory Committee shall comprise of four members (each a Supervisor). External Supervisors (being supervisors not internally employed by the Company, such term having the same meaning as

 

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hereinafter appearing) shall account for more than one-half in number of members of the Supervisory Committee, and the supervisors acted by employee representatives shall account for no less than one-third in number of members of the Supervisory Committee.

 

One of the Supervisors shall act as the chairman of the committee. The term of office for the members of the committee shall be three years and they shall be eligible for re-election.

 

The appointment and removal of the chairman of the supervisory committee shall be made by a resolution passed by two-thirds or more of the members of the supervisory committee.

 

The Chairman of the Supervisory Committee shall organize to perform duties of the Supervisory Committee.

 

Article 146

 

Members of the Supervisory Committee shall be acted by two representatives of shareholders (including those acting as External Supervisors, the same below); one of them shall be acted by an employee representative of the Company.

 

The representatives of the shareholders shall be elected and removed by the shareholders' general meeting; the employee representatives shall be elected and removed through democratic election by employees of the Company.

 

The Supervisory Committee shall set up a working body to handle its daily business as required.

 

Article 147

 

The nominee list of Supervisors acted by shareholder representatives shall be submitted to the shareholders' general meeting for resolution. The Supervisors acted by shareholder representatives shall be nominated by the Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and one shareholder or several shareholders holding collectively more than 3% of the total shares of the Company with voting rights. The election and removal of such Supervisors shall be determined at the shareholders' general meeting of the Company. Supervisor committee members shall be elected referring to the non-independent director election procedure set forth in Article 105 herein.

 

Article 148

 

The Company's Directors, president, senior vice-president, vice presidents, financial controllers and other senior officers shall not serve as the Supervisor concurrently.

 

Article 149

 

The Supervisory Committee shall meet at least once every six months and the meetings shall be convened and hosted by the chairman of the Supervisory Committee, or by a supervisory committee member jointly elected by majority of all supervisory committee members when the committee chairman is unable or fails to perform the duty. The notice of the meeting of the Supervisory Committee shall be sent to all the supervisors no less than 10 days before the meeting is convened. The notice shall contain the following items:

 

(1)

Date, venue and duration of the meeting;

 

 

(2)

Subject matter and topics of the meeting;

 

 

(3)

Date of the notice.

 

 

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Article 150

 

A supervisory committee member's two consecutive failures of either personally attending or authorizing any other member to attend supervisory committee meetings on his behalf will be deemed as his default of duties and the shareholders' general meeting or the employee representatives' meeting shall make decision to remove the defaulted Supervisor.

 

Article 151

 

Any Supervisor may apply for resignation before his service term expires and the stipulations regarding director's tenure and resignation in Chapter Ten of this Articles of Association shall apply to Supervisors.

 

Article 152

 

The Supervisory Committee shall be responsible to the shareholders' general meeting and shall have the following powers and duties in accordance with the laws:

 

(1)

to monitor the Company's financial matters, review and present written review opinions on the company's regular reports prepared by the Board.;

 

 

(2)

to supervise the Directors, President and other senior officers to ensure that they do not act in contravention of any law, regulation or the Articles of Association, to propose dismissals of directors or senior executives violating laws, administrative regulations, the Articles of Association or general meeting resolutions;

 

 

(3)

to request the directors, manager and other senior executives of the Company to rectify their acts which are prejudicial to the interests of the Company;

 

 

(4)

to verify the financial information such as financial statements, operation reports and profits distribution proposals submitted by the Board of Directors to the shareholders' general meeting; where any query arises, the financial information shall be referred to a registered accountant or certified auditor appointed in the name of the Company to re-examine the same;

 

 

(5)

may carry out investigation when finding any abnormal operation of the company; may engage professional accountants or law firms to provide assistance at expense of the company when necessary;

 

 

(6)

to propose to convene a shareholders' extraordinary general meeting. Convene and chair general meetings when the Board fails to do so;

 

 

(7)

to propose to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Directors;

 

 

(8)

to represent the Company in negotiations with or in bringing actions against directors or senior executives;

 

 

(9)

other powers and duties provided in the laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association and conferred by the shareholders' general meeting.

 

 

The Supervisory Committee may opine on the appointment of the accounting firm of the Company, and where necessary, may separately appoint an accounting firm in the name of the Company to audit the accounts of the Company and may directly report to the securities supervisory and regulatory body of the State Council and to other relevant departments.

 

External Supervisors shall report independently to the shareholders general meeting in relation to the performance of diligence and honesty of the Company's senior management staff.

 

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The Supervisors may attend board meetings and present queries or advice on the matters subject to resolution at the meetings.

 

Article 152

 

The supervisory committee may require the directors, the manager, other senior executives, and internal and external auditors to attend the meeting of the supervisory committee and reply to questions raised by the supervisory committee.

 

Article 154

 

The resolutions of the supervisory committee shall be passed by two-thirds or more of Supervisors.

 

Article 155

 

The Supervisory Committee shall produce minutes in respect of resolutions of the meetings, and the supervisors and recorder(s) attending the meetings shall sign the minutes. Each Supervisor is entitled to request that an explanation of his comments made at the meetings be noted in the minutes. Such minutes shall be properly kept as important files. The records shall be kept for not less than 10 years.

 

Article 156

 

The reasonable costs and expenses incurred in engaging professionals such as lawyers, registered accountants and certified auditors as are required by the supervisory committee in discharging its duties shall be borne by the Company.

 

Article 157

 

Supervisors shall honestly discharge their duties in accordance with the laws, administrative regulations and the Articles of Association of the Company.

 

Chapter 15

Qualifications and Obligations of the Directors, supervisors, Manager and other Senior executives of the Company

 

 

Article 153

 

A person shall be disqualified from being a director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company in any one of the following circumstances:

 

(1)

the individual has no civil capacity or restricted civil capacity;

 

 

(2)

a period of less than 5 years has elapsed since the penalization on conviction of corruption, bribery, unauthorised appropriation of properties, embezzlement of properties or disrupting social and economic order; or a period of less than 5 years has elapsed since being deprived of political rights for commission of offences;

 

 

(3)

a person who is a director, factory manager or manager of a company or an enterprise which is bankrupt and liquidated and who has to bear personal liability for the insolvency of that company or enterprise, and a period of three years has not yet been elapsed since the completion date of bankruptcy and

 

 

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liquidation of that company or enterprise;

 

 

(4)

a period of not less than 3 years has elapsed since revocation of the business licence of a company or enterprise due to illegal business operations where the person was the legal representative of such company or enterprise and for which he was personally liable;

 

 

(5)

the person is personally liable for a substantial loan which was due for payment but remains unpaid;

 

 

(6)

the person has been involved in criminal offences subject to investigation by judicial authorities and the case has not been settled;

 

 

(7)

Civil servants;

 

 

(8)

the person is not eligible for acting in the leadership of a company or enterprise according to the laws or administrative regulations;

 

 

(9)

the person is not a natural person; and

 

 

(10)

a period of less than 5 years has elapsed since the person was adjudged by the relevant governing authority to be guilty of contravention of provisions of securities regulations involving fraud or dishonesty.

 

 

(11)

a person who has been prohibited from entering the market by the securities regulatory authority of the State Council, where such prohibition has not been removed.

 

 

Once any of the above circumstances occurs in respect of any director in service, the Board of Directors shall terminate all the duties and powers of that director upon being informed of such circumstances and shall suggest to the shareholders' general meeting to remove that director. Once any of the above circumstances occurs to the manager in service, the Board of Directors shall terminate all the duties and powers of the manager upon being informed of such circumstances and shall convene a board meeting to dismiss the manager. Once any of the above circumstances occurs to any supervisor in service, the supervisory committee shall terminate all the duties and powers of that supervisor upon being informed of such circumstances and shall propose to convene the shareholders' general meeting or employee representatives' meeting to remove that supervisor.

 

Article 159

 

Unless otherwise specified and authorized under the Articles of Association or unless legally authorized by the Board of Directors, any director shall not act on behalf of the Company or the Board of Directors in his own name. When a director acts in his own name and a third party could reasonably believe that he is acting on behalf of the Company or the Board of Directors, he shall first declare his position and status.

 

Article 160

 

The validity of an act of a director, manager or other senior executive of the Company acting on behalf of the Company against any bona fide third party shall not be affected by any irregularity in his appointment, election or any defects in his qualification.

 

Article 161

 

In addition to the obligations imposed by the laws and administrative regulations or required by the listing rules of the stock exchange on which the shares of the Company are listed, a director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive owes a duty to each shareholder for the following in the exercise of the powers entrusted to him:-

 

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(1)

not to cause the Company to exceed the scope of business stipulated in its business license;

 

 

(2)

to act honestly in what he considers to be in the best interests of the Company;

 

 

(3)

not to expropriate in any guise the properties of the Company, including but not limited to usurp the opportunities beneficial to the Company;

 

 

(4)

not to expropriate the individual rights of shareholders including but not limited to rights of distribution and voting rights save and except pursuant to a restructuring of the Company submitted for approval of the shareholders in general meeting in accordance with these Articles of Association.

 

 

(5)

Obligations required by laws of the listing place of shares in the Company or relevant regulations of the stock exchange.

 

 

Article 162

 

A director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company, owes a duty, in the exercise of his powers and discharge of his duties, to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable prudent person would be expected to exercise in comparable circumstances, including but not limited to requirements for employees' professional ethics and conduct standards.

 

Article 163

 

A director, supervisor, manager or senior executive owes a duty, in the exercise of powers of the Company entrusted to him, to observe obligations of a fiduciary not to place himself in a position where his interest and the obligations undertaken may conflict. This principle shall include but not be limited to the following obligations:

 

(1)

to act honestly in what he considers to be in the best interests of the Company;

 

 

(2)

to exercise the powers vested in him and not to exceed the scope thereof;

 

 

(3)

to exercise the discretionary power granted to him personally and not allow himself to act under the direction of another and unless and to the extent permitted by the laws and administrative regulations or informed consent of shareholders in general meeting, not to delegate the exercise of his discretion;

 

 

(4)

to treat the shareholders of the same class equally and treat the shareholders of different classes fairly;

 

 

(5)

Except in accordance with these Articles or with the informed consent of shareholders in general meeting, not to enter into any contract, transaction or arrangement with the Company;

 

 

(6)

without the informed consent of shareholders in general meeting not to use the Company's property for his own benefit;

 

 

(7)

not to use his authority for obtaining bribes or other illegal income and not to expropriate in any guise the property of the Company including but without limitation, not to usurp opportunities beneficial to the Company;

 

 

(8)

without the informed consent of the shareholders' general meeting, not to accept commissions in connection with the Company's transaction;

 

 

(9)

to observe the Articles of Association; to perform the duties faithfully; to protect the interests of the Company; not to use his position and authority in the Company to make his own benefit;

 

 

(10)

not to compete in any way with the Company without the informed consent of the shareholders'

 

 

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general meeting;

 

 

(11)

not to misappropriate the Company's assets to set up deposit accounts in his own name or in any other name or to use such assets to guarantee the debts of a shareholder of the Company or any other personal liabilities; not lend funds of the company to others or use the company's assets to provide guarantee to others without consent of general meeting or the Board based on knowledge of the matter;

 

 

(12)

not to disclose confidential information of the Company acquired by him during the term of office without the informed consent of the shareholders' general meeting; not to either use the information other than in furtherance of the interests of the Company; save and except that disclosure of such information to the court of law or other government authorities is permitted if:

 

 

 

1.

disclosure is required by the laws;

 

 

 

 

2.

there is a duty to disclose in the interest of public;

 

 

 

 

3.

it is in the personal interests of such director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive to require disclosure.

 

 

 

Proceeds gained by directors, managers and other senior executives by violating the present article shall belong to the company, and the directors, managers or other senior executives shall be liable for compensating the resulting losses of the company, if any.

 

Article 164

 

When a general meeting requires attendance of directors, supervisors, managers and other senior executives, they shall attend as required and provide explanations and clarifications in response to shareholders' queries and advice.

 

Directors, supervisors, managers and other senior executives shall honestly provide relevant information and materials to the supervisory committee and not hinder the committee's exercise of its authority.

 

Article 165

 

A director, supervisor, manager and other senior executive of the Company shall not cause any of the following person or association (the "associates") to do such things as such director, supervisor, manager, or other senior executive is prohibited from doing so:-

 

(1)

the spouse or minor child of that director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company;

 

 

(2)

the trustee of that director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company or any person referred to in paragraph (1) of this article;

 

 

(3)

the partner of that director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company or any person referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this article;

 

 

(4)

a company in which that director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company alone or jointly with one or more of the persons referred to in paragraphs (1) , (2) and (3) of this article or other directors, supervisors, managers or other senior executives of the Company, has a de facto controlling interest;

 

 

(5)

a director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of a company being controlled as referred to in paragraph (4) of this article.

 

 

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Article 166

 

The fiduciary duty of a director, supervisor, l manager or other senior executive of the Company does not necessarily cease upon the termination of his tenure of office. The obligation of confidence in relation to the trade secrets of the Company shall survive after the termination of his tenure. Other obligations may continue for such period as to be determined under the principle of fairness, depending on the time lapse between the acts concerned and the termination and the circumstances and the conditions under which the relationship with the Company terminated.

 

Article 167

 

Directors, supervisors, managers and other senior executives shall be liable for compensating losses of the company arising from their breach of laws, administrative regulations, department regulations or the Articles of Association when performing their duties.

 

Any Director, Supervisor, president or other senior officer of the Company who has left his post without authorization before his tenure is terminated shall compensate to the Company the loss thus incurred to the Company.

 

Article 168

 

Except as provided in Article 56 of these Articles, a director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company may be relieved of liability for specific breaches of his duty by the informed consent of the shareholder in general meeting.

 

Article 169

 

Where a director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company is in any way, directly or indirectly, materially interested in a contract, transaction or arrangement or proposed contracts, transaction or arrangement with the Company (other than a contract of service of that director, supervisor, manager and other senior executive with the Company) shall declare the nature and extent of his interests to the Board of Directors at the earliest opportunity whether or not the contract, transaction, arrangement or proposal therefor is otherwise subject to the approval of the directors in normal circumstances.

A director shall not vote in any resolution of the Board of Directors for approving any contract, transaction or arrangement in which such director or any of his associates (as defined in the applicable rules governing the listing of securities amended from time to time) is materially interested, and shall not be either counted into the quorum of the meeting.

Unless the interested director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company has disclosed his interest to the Board of Directors in accordance with Item 1 of this article and the contract, transaction or arrangement has been approved by the Board of Directors at a meeting in which the interested director is not counted in the quorum and has refrained from voting, a contract, transaction or arrangement in which the director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive is materially interested is avoidable at the instance of the Company except as against a bona fide party acting without notice of the breach of duty by such director, supervisor, manager or senior executive concerned.

 

A director, supervisor, manager or senior executive of the Company is deemed to be interested in a contract, transaction or arrangement, in which the associates of such director, supervisor, manager or senior executive is interested.

 

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Article 170

 

Where a director, supervisor, manager or senior executive of the Company gives a general notice in writing to the Board of Directors before the date on which the question of entering into the relevant contract, transaction or arrangement is first taken into consideration on behalf of the Company, stating that, by reason of facts specified in the notice, he is interested in contracts, transactions or arrangements of any description which may subsequently be made by the Company, that notice shall be deemed for the purpose of the preceding article of this Article to be a sufficient declaration of interests of such director, supervisor, manager or senior executive, so far as attributable to those facts in relation to any contract, transaction or arrangement of that description which may subsequently be made by the Company.

 

Article 171

 

The Company shall not, in any manner, pay tax for or on behalf of its director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive.

 

Article 172

 

The Company shall not directly or indirectly, make a loan to or provide any guarantee in connection with a loan made by any person to its directors, supervisors, managers or other senior executives of the Company or of its holding company; or make a loan to or provide any guarantee in connection with any loan made by any person to the associates of such person as aforesaid.

 

The preceding provision shall not apply to the following:-

 

(1)

the provision of a loan or a guarantee for a loan by the Company to a company which is subsidiary of the Company;

 

 

(2)

the provision of a loan or a guarantee for loan by the Company to any of its directors, supervisors, manager or other senior executives under a service contract as approved by shareholders in general meeting or the provision of funds by the Company to him to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him for the purpose of the Company or for the purpose of enabling him properly to perform his duties;

 

 

(3)

where the ordinary course of business of the Company includes the lending of money and the giving of guarantees, the Company may make a loan to or provide a guarantee in connection with a loan by another person to any of its directors, supervisors, manager or senior executives and his associates on normal commercial terms.

 

 

Article 173

 

A loan made by the Company in breach of the preceding provisions, shall be forthwith repayable by the recipient regardless of the terms of the loan.

 

Article 174

 

A guarantee provided by the Company in breach of Article 172(1) shall be unenforceable against the Company except that:

 

(1)

a loan was made by a person to an associate of a director, supervisor, manager or other senior

 

 

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executive of the Company or of its holding company, and at the time the loan was advanced the lender did not know of the relevant circumstances;

 

 

(2)

the collateral provided by the Company has been lawfully disposed of by the lender to a bona fide purchaser.

Article 175

 

The guarantee referred to in the preceding article shall include an undertaking by the guarantor or property provided to secure the performance of obligations by the obligor.

 

Article 176

 

Subject to the approval of the shareholders' general meeting, the Company may purchase liability insurance for its directors, supervisors, manager and other senior executives, except for liabilities arising from the violation of laws, administrative regulations or the Articles of Association of the Company.

 

Article 177

 

Where a director, supervisor, manager and other senior executive of the Company is in breach of his obligations to the Company, the Company shall have a right to take the following measures in addition to the various rights and remedies provided by the laws and administrative regulations:-

 

(1)

to request such director, supervisor, manager and other senior executive to pay damages for the losses sustained by the Company as a natural consequence of his breach of duties;

 

 

(2)

to rescind any contract or transaction entered into by the Company with such director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive and any contract or transaction entered into by the Company with a third party (where such third party knew or should have known that such director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive representing the Company is in breach of the obligations to the Company);

 

 

(3)

to request such director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive to return the proceeds received as a consequence of the breach of the obligations;

 

 

(4)

to recover from such director, supervisor, manager and other senior executive any monies which should otherwise have been received by the Company, including without limitation to commissions;

 

 

(5)

to request such director, supervisor, manager and other senior executive to return such interests accrued or may be accrued from the monies which should otherwise have been paid to the Company.

 

 

Article 178

 

The Company shall, with the prior approval of the shareholders in general meeting, enter into a contract in writing with a director or Supervisor in respect of their remuneration. The emoluments referred to above shall include:

(1)

the emoluments in respect of his service as a director, supervisor or other senior executive of the Company;

 

 

(2)

the emoluments in respect of his service as a director, supervisor or other senior executive of a subsidiary of the Company;

 

 

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(3)

the emoluments for provision of other services in connection with the management of the affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries;

 

 

(4)

payment by way of compensation for loss of office or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement.

 

 

Save pursuant to the contract aforesaid, no legal proceedings may be brought by a director or Supervisor against the Company in respect of the benefits ought to be received by him by reasons of the matters stipulated above.

 

Article 179

 

There shall be a provision in a contract made between the Company and a director or Supervisor in respect of their remuneration that the director or the Supervisor shall, with the prior approval of the shareholders in general meeting, be entitled to payment by way of compensation for loss of office or as consideration for his retirement from office in connection with the takeover of the Company. A takeover of the Company referred above shall mean any of the following:

 

(1)

an offer made to all shareholders by any person;

 

 

(2)

an offer made by any person with a view to the offeror becoming the controlling shareholder. The definition of "controlling shareholder" shall be the same as the one defined in Article 54 of these Articles.

 

 

If the relevant director or Supervisor does not comply with this article, any sum received by him shall belong to the persons who have sold their shares as a result of accepting the offer made as aforesaid; and the expenses incurred by him in distributing that sum pro rata amongst those persons shall be borne by him and not retained out of that sum.

 

Chapter 16

Financial Accounting System, Profit Distribution And Auditing

 

 

Article 180

 

The Company shall formulate the financial and accounting system of the Company in accordance with the laws, administrative regulations and the provisions in the PRC accounting standards prepared by the authority governing financial matters under the State Council.

 

Article 181

 

The financial year of the Company shall coincide with the calendar year, which commences from January 1 and ends on December 31 of the Gregorian calendar.

 

The Company shall adopt Renminbi as its accounts keeping unit. All accounts shall be written in Chinese.

 

The Company shall make financial reports at the end of each accounting year and have them examined and verified by accounting firm according to law.

 

Article 182

 

The Board of Directors of the Company shall place before to the shareholders at every annual general meeting the financial statements prepared by the Company as are required by the relevant laws, administrative regulations and mandatory documents promulgated by the local government and the governing authority. Such statements shall be audited.

 

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Article 183

 

The financial reports of the Company shall be deposited at the Company for inspection by its shareholders not later than 20 days before the annual general meeting. Each shareholder of the Company shall be entitled to receive the financial statements referred to in this article.

 

The Company shall send by prepaid mail 21 days before the annual general meeting the above reports to each holder of overseas listed foreign shares. The service address shall be the address in the register of shareholders.

 

Article 184

 

The financial statements of the Company shall, in addition to being prepared in accordance with the PRC accounting standards and regulations, be prepared in accordance with international accounting standards or such accounting standards of the place where the shares of the Company are listed. Where material differences appear in the financial statements prepared in accordance with the two sets of accounting standards mentioned above, the financial statements shall contain statements of the material differences. Where the Company makes a distribution of profit after taxation in respect of the relevant financial year, the amount of distribution shall be the lesser of the profit after taxation as shown in both financial statements as aforesaid.

 

Article 185

 

The interim results and financial information to be published or disclosed by the Company shall be prepared in accordance with the PRC accounting standards and regulations, and at the same time to be prepared in accordance with international accounting standards or the accounting standards of the place where the shares of the Company are listed.

 

Article 186

 

The Company shall announce the financial report quarterly during an accounting year, i.e. the first quarterly financial report shall be published within 30 days after the first three months of an accounting year; the interim financial report shall be published within 60 days after the first six months of an accounting year; the third quarterly report shall be published within 30 days after the first nine months of an accounting year and the annual financial report shall be published within 120 days after the end of an accounting year.

 

Article 187

 

The Company's financial reports shall be prepared according to the requirements of applicable laws, administrative regulations and department regulations.

 

Article 188

 

The Company shall not have other books of account other than the statutory books of account.

 

Article 189

 

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The Company shall implement initiative methods of profit distribution and pay attention to investors' reasonable investment return.

 

The Company's Board of Directors shall release the reasons not to make the plan of cash distribution of profits in the regular reports and the independent directors shall give independent opinions.

 

If the shareholder gets out of line to occupy the Company's capital, the Company shall deduct the cash bonus distributed to the shareholder so as to reimburse the occupied capital.

 

Article 190

 

The Company, after distributing this year profits after tax, should draw ten percent of the Company's net profits into the Company's legal reserve funds. When the legal reserve funds exceed fifty percent of the Company registered capital, the Company could stop the drawing.

 

When its legal reserve funds cannot make up prior year loss, the Company should first make up the loss with this year profits before drawing the legal reserve funds according to above-mentioned clause.

 

After having drawn the legal reserve fund from the profits after tax, the Company, through the shareholders' meeting resolutions, may draw discretionary reserve fund from the profits after tax.

 

The remaining profits after the Company making up the loss and setting aside reserve fund shall be distributed according to the shareholders' share proportions. The company's shares held by the company itself shall not participate in profit sharing.

 

Article 191

 

Before making up the loss and drawing for legal reserve fund, the Company shall not distribute dividends on shares or carry out any other distributions. The Company dividends should not be attached with any interests unless the Company has not distributed relevant interests on capital to the shareholders on the date due of dividends on shares.

 

Any amount paid up in advance of calls on any share may carry interest but shall not entitle the relevant shareholder to participate in respect thereof in a dividend subsequently declared.

 

Article 192

 

The capital reserve fund shall include the following sums:

 

(1)

the amount of share premium arising from the issue of shares in excess of their par value;

 

 

(2)

other income to be credited to capital reserve fund in accordance with the provisions the authority governing the financial matters under the State Council.

 

 

Article 193

 

The Company's reserve fund (referring to legal reserve fund, discretionary reserve fund and capital reserve fund) can only be applied to make up the Company's loss, expand its line operation or change to increase its capital. Capital surplus shall not be used to offset the company's losses.

 

The Company can distribute new shares or increase the share denomination according to the shareholders' original share proportions after the shareholders' meeting resolution to change the reserve fund into capital.

 

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But when the legal reserve fund is changed into capital, the remaining reserve fund should not be less than twenty-five percent of the registered capital before the capitalization.

 

Article 194

 

After the profit distribution plan has been resolved at the general meeting, the Board of Directors shall complete the dividend (or share) distribution within 2 months after the holding of the shareholders' general meeting.

 

Article 195

 

The Company may distribute dividends in the following forms:

 

(1)

cash;

 

 

(2)

shares.

 

 

Article 196

 

Where the Company makes payment of cash dividends and other amounts to the holders of domestic shares, the payment shall be made in Renminbi. Where the Company makes payment of cash dividends and other amounts to the shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares, the payment shall be calculated and declared in Renminbi [and payable in Hong Kong Dollars. Where the Company makes payment of cash dividends and other amounts to Shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares in a foreign currency], the foreign currency exchange rate will be in accordance with the relevant state foreign exchange regulation.

 

Article 197

 

Unless otherwise permitted under the relevant laws and administrative regulations, the exchange rate for the payment of cash dividends and other payments in Hong Kong Dollars shall be the average ask price price of the relevant currency announced by the People's Bank of China one calendar week before the announcement of payment of dividend and other amounts.

 

Article 198

 

The Board of Directors can decide to distribute the mid-term or special dividends on shares when it complies with Clause (2) of the first paragraph of Article 60 and Clause (17) of the first paragraph of Article 108.

 

Article 199

 

Where the Company makes any distribution of dividends to the shareholders, the Company shall make withholdings and payments on behalf of the shareholders of such tax taxable on the dividends payable to shareholders in accordance with the provisions of the PRC taxation law and the amount of dividends payable.

 

Article 200

 

The Company shall appoint a receiving agent for shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares. The receiving agent shall receive on behalf of such shareholder the dividends distributed to and other amounts

 

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payable by the Company in respect of the overseas listed foreign shares.

 

The receiving agent appointed by the Company shall satisfy requirements provided under the laws or the relevant provisions of the stock exchange at the place where the shares of the Company are listed.

 

The receiving agent appointed by the Company for the shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares listed in Hong Kong shall be a trust company registered under the Trustee Ordinance of Hong Kong.

 

Article 201

 

The Company shall implement an internal audit system and appoint full-time auditing personnel to carry out internal auditing and supervision of the Company's financial income and expenses and economic activities.

 

Article 202

 

The Company's internal auditing system and the responsibilities of the auditing personnel should be carried out after approved by the Board of Directors. The auditor-in-chief shall be accountable and report to the Board of Directors.

 

Chapter 17

Appointment of Accounting Firm

 

 

Article 203

 

The Company shall engage an independent accounting firm which satisfies the relevant requirements of PRC to audit the annual financial statements of the Company, audit other financial statements of the Company, verify net assets and provide other related consulting services, etc.

 

[Subsequent to approval of the Audit Committee], the appointment of an accounting firm shall be resolved by the general meeting.

 

Article 204

 

The term of office of an accounting firm appointed by the Company shall be one year, commencing from the conclusion of the annual general meeting and expires at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting. At the expiry of such term, the relevant accounting firm may be re-appointed.

 

Article 205

 

The accounting firm appointed by the Company shall have the following rights:

 

(1)

to inspect at any time the books and accounts, records and supporting documents of the Company and be entitled to request the directors, manager and other senior executives of the Company to provide relevant information and explanations thereof;

 

 

(2)

to request the Company to take all reasonable steps to obtain from its subsidiaries such information and explanation as are necessary for the performance of the duties of such accounting firm;

 

 

(3)

to attend any shareholders' general meeting and to receive all notices of and other communications relating to any shareholders' general meeting which any shareholder is entitled to receive, and to be heard at any shareholders' general meeting on any matter which concerns it as accounting firm of the Company.

 

 

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Article 206

 

Where the office of the accounting firm is vacated, the Board of Directors may appoint another accounting firm to fill such vacancy prior to the holding of shareholders' general meeting [subsequent to approval of the Audit Committee], but while any such vacancy continues, the surviving or continuing accounting firm or accounting firms, if any, may act.

 

Article 207

 

Notwithstanding anything in the agreement between the accounting firm and the Company, the shareholders in general meeting may by ordinary resolution remove an accounting firm before the expiration of the term of office of such accounting firm. Where the accounting firm so removed shall be entitled to claim against the Company for damages, if any, in respect of such removal, such entitlement shall not be prejudiced thereby.

 

Article 208

 

The remuneration or the determination of the remuneration of the accounting firm shall be fixed by the shareholders in the shareholders' general meeting. In the case of the accounting firm appointed by the Board of Directors to fill a casual vacancy, [subsequent to approval of the Audit Committee,] the remuneration of the accounting firm may be fixed by the Board of Directors and submitted to the general meeting for approval.

 

Article 209

 

The appointment, removal and termination of engagement of an accounting firm by the Company shall be determined by the shareholders at the shareholders' general meeting, and, if required under applicable laws and regulations and/or relevant listing rules and in accordance with such requirements, be disclosed in the relevant newspapers. When necessary, the reason for the change shall be stated. Further, any such decision shall be filed with the securities regulatory authority of the State Council and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the People's Republic of China.

 

Article 210

 

Where a resolution at a shareholders' general meeting is proposed to appoint an accounting firm to fill a casual vacancy in the office of the accounting firm, to reappoint an accounting firm appointed by the Board of Directors to fill a casual vacancy, or to remove an accounting firm before the expiry of its term of office, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(1)

A copy of the proposed resolution in respect of appointment or removal shall be sent before notice of meeting is given to the shareholders to the accounting firm proposed to be appointed or the accounting firm proposing to leave its post or the accounting firm who has left its post in the relevant financial year.

 

 

"Leaving" includes leaving by removal, resignation and retirement.

 

(2)

If the accounting firm leaving its post makes representations in writing and requests their notification to the shareholders, the Company shall take the following measures (unless the representations are received too late):

 

 

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1.

in any notice of the resolution given to shareholders, state the fact of the representations having been made;

 

 

 

 

2.

send a copy of the representations as appendix to the notice to every shareholder in accordance with the mode of service prescribed by the Articles of Association.

 

 

 

(3)

If the representations of the accounting firm are not sent out as required by paragraph (2) of this article, the accounting firm may require that the representations shall be read out at the shareholders' general meeting and may have further rights of redress.

 

 

(4)

An accounting firm which is leaving its post shall be entitled to attend:-

 

 

 

1.

the shareholders' general meeting at which its term of office would otherwise have expired;

 

 

 

 

2.

any shareholders' general meeting at which it is proposed to fill the casual vacancy caused by its removal;

 

 

 

 

3.

any shareholders' general meeting convened on its resignation.

 

 

 

The leaving accounting firm is entitled to receive all notices of, and other communications relating to, any such meeting, and to be heard at any such meeting on any matter which concerns it as a former accounting firm of the Company.

 

Article 211

 

If the Company dismisses or does not continue with the re-appointment of its accounting firm, it should notify the accounting firm 10 days in advance, and the accounting firm shall have the right to present its views at the shareholders' general meeting. When the accounting firm considers that the grounds on which the Company decided to dismiss its service or not to renew its appointment are unjustified, it may file a complaint with the securities regulatory authority of the State Council and the Institute of Chartered Public Accountants of the People's Republic of China. Where the accounting firm tenders its resignation, it shall explain to the shareholders' general meeting whether there is any improper matter.

 

An accounting firm may resign its office by depositing a notice in writing to that effect at the Company's seat. Such notice shall terminate its office on the date on which it is deposited at the Company's seat or such later date as may be specified in the notice. Such notice shall include:

 

1.

a statement to the effect that there are no circumstances connected with its resignation which it considers should be brought to the notice of the shareholders or creditors of the Company; or

 

 

2.

a statement of any such circumstances as aforesaid.

 

 

Where a written notice is received by the Company as aforesaid, the Company shall within 14 days send a copy of the notice to the relevant governing authorities. If the notice contains a statement under paragraph 2 of this article, a copy of the notice shall also be deposited at the Company for the inspection of the shareholders, and the said copies shall also be sent to every shareholder by prepaid mail. The service address shall be the address on the register of shareholders.

 

Where the notice of resignation of the accounting firm contains a statement regarding any accountable affair, the accounting firm may require the Board of Directors to convene an extraordinary general meeting for the purpose of hearing an explanation of the circumstances connected with his resignation.

 

Chapter 18

Merger and Division

 

 

Article 212

 

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The Company can be mergered or divided in accordance with laws.

 

When the Company is merged or divided, the Board of Directors shall take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the shareholders who oppose the Company's merger and division proposal.

 

Shareholders who oppose the Company's merger and division proposal are entitled to require the Company or the shareholders who agree to the Company's merger and division proposal to purchase their shares at a fair price.

 

The contents of the resolution of merger or division of the Company shall be made into special documents for shareholders' inspection. Such special documents shall be sent by mail to holders of overseas listed foreign shares.

 

Article 213

 

The merger of the Company may take the form of either merger by absorbing another company or merger by establishing a new company.

 

Where the Company mergers, the parties to a merger shall sign a merger agreement and formulate a balance sheet and a detailed inventory of assets. The Company shall inform its creditors of the intended merger within ten days following the date on which the merger resolution is adopted, and make announcement in newspaper within thirty days. A creditor may require the company to pay off the outstanding debts or provide appropriate guarantee for the debts within 30 days from the date receiving the notice, or otherwise within 45 days from the date of the announcement when no such notice is received.

 

Upon merger, all claims and liabilities of the parties to the merger shall be taken over by the company which exists after the merger or by the newly established company.

 

Article 214

 

Where the Company is divided, its assets shall be apportioned in an appropriate manner.

 

Where the Company decides to divide itself, the parties of the division shall sign a division agreement and formulate a balance sheet and a detailed inventory of assets. The Company shall inform its creditors of the intended division within ten days following the date on which the division resolution is adopted, and make announcement in newspaper within thirty days.

 

The businesses coming into being after division of the company shall be jointly liable for the company's debts prior to the division unless otherwise agreed in writing between the company and creditors prior to the division with regard to the payment of debts.

 

Article 215

 

Changes in registration items arising from merger or division shall be registered with companies registration department in accordance with the laws; in the case of dissolution, the dissolution shall be registered according to the laws; where new companies are established, the establishment shall be registered according to the laws.

 

Chapter 19

Dissolution and Liquidation

 

 

Article 216

 

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The Company shall be dissolved and liquidated in accordance with the relevant laws:

 

(1)

where the shareholders' general meeting resolves to dissolve the Company;

 

 

(2)

where dissolution of the Company is necessary for the amalgamation or demerger;

 

 

(3)

where the Company is adjudged insolvent in accordance with the applicable laws as a result of its inability to pay its debts when due;

 

 

(4)

The company's business license is revoked according to law or the company is ordered to close down or cancelled according to law as a result of its offence of laws or administrative regulations;

 

 

(5)

The company is in severe difficulty during its business management and its further existence will cause material loss of shareholders' rights and interests and the difficulty cannot be solved by any other means, the shareholders representing more than 10% of total shares carrying voting rights have requested the People's Court to order dissolution of the company and the court dissolves the company according to law.

 

 

Article 217

 

A liquidation committee shall be set up within 15 days of the Company being dissolved pursuant to Clauses (1), (3), (4) and (5) of the preceding Article, and the composition of the liquidation team of the Company shall be determined by the Board or general meeting, failing which creditors may apply to the People's Court for the establishment of a liquidation committee from specified persons.

 

Article 218

 

Where the Board of Directors decides to liquidate the Company (except for the liquidation as a result of the insolvency of the Company), it shall specify in the notice convening the shareholders' general meeting for such purpose that the Board of Directors has made a full inquiry into the affairs of the Company and is of the opinion that the Company will be able to pay its debts in full within 12 months from the commencement of the liquidation.

 

Upon the passing of the resolution for liquidation by shareholders in general meeting, the duties and powers of the Board of Directors shall cease forthwith.

 

The liquidation team shall comply with the instructions of the shareholders' general meeting and shall report to it at least once every year the income and expenses of the liquidation team, the progress of the business and the liquidation of the Company. Upon the completion of liquidation it shall also give a final report to the shareholders' general meeting.

 

Article 219

 

The liquidation committee shall inform the creditors of the company of its establishment within ten days following the date of its establishment, and make announcement in newspaper within sixty days following the aforesaid date. The liquidation committee shall register the claims. The liquidation team shall make no payment to creditors during the period of debts claim.

 

Article 220

 

The liquidation team shall during the liquidation period perform the following duties:

 

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(1)

to dispose of the Company's assets, to prepare balance sheets and a list of assets;

 

 

(2)

to notify and announce to creditors;

 

 

(3)

to deal with the unfinished business of the Company in relation to the liquidation;

 

 

(4)

to pay off taxes owed by the Company and taxes incurred during the liquidation process;

 

 

(5)

to repay all the claims and debts;

 

 

(6)

to deal with the remaining assets of the Company after the repayment of debts;

 

 

(7)

to represent the Company in civil proceedings.

 

 

Article 221

 

After the completion of the disposal of the assets of the Company and the preparation of the balance sheets and a list of assets, the liquidation team shall prepare a liquidation proposal and submit the same to the shareholders' general meeting or relevant governing authorities for their confirmation.

 

The assets of the Company shall be initially applied to the payment of the liquidation fee, after which the assets shall be applied to the payment of the following items in accordance with the following sequences: (i) salaries payable to employees; (ii) social security contribution and legal compensations; (iii) unpaid tax balances; (iv) bank loans, Company debentures and other debts of the Company.

 

Any assets remaining after repayment of debts in accordance with the provisions above shall be distributed to the shareholders of the Company in accordance with the class and proportion of shares held by them in the following order of priority:-

 

(1)

where there are preference shares, the assets shall be distributed to holders of preference

 

 

 

shares in accordance with the par value of preference shares; if the capital of the preference shares cannot be repaid in full, distribution shall be made in proportion to the number of preference shares held by them;

 

 

(2)

distribution to holders of ordinary shares in proportion to the number of ordinary shares held by them.

 

 

 

During liquidation, the Company may not engage in new business activities that are irrelevant to the liquidation.

 

 

Article 222

 

In the event that the Company is to be dissolved by liquidation, if the liquidation team discovers that after the disposal of the assets of the Company and preparation of the balance sheets and the list of assets, the assets of the Company are insufficient to repay its debts in full, it shall forthwith apply to the People's Court for a declaration of insolvency.

 

Upon declaration of insolvency of the Company by the People's Court, the liquidation team shall hand over liquidation affairs of the Company to the People's Court.

 

Article 223

 

Following the completion of the liquidation of the Company, the liquidation team shall prepare a liquidation report and statement of receipts and expenditures and various financial records for the period of liquidation which shall, upon being audited by an accountant registered in the PRC, be submitted to the shareholders' general meeting or relevant governing authority for their confirmation.

 

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The liquidation team shall, within 30 days upon the approval of the shareholders' general meeting and relevant governing authority, submit the said documents to the company registration authority, and apply for the cancellation of registration of the Company and to make public announcement in respect of the termination of the Company.

 

Chapter 20

Procedures for Amendments to the Articles of Association

 

 

Article 224

 

The Company may amend the Articles of Association pursuant to the laws, administrative regulations and the provisions of the Articles of Association.

 

Article 225

 

The Articles of Association may be amended in accordance with the following procedures:

 

(1)

the proposed amendments to the Articles of Association shall be formulated by the Board of Directors through a resolution in accordance with the Articles of Association or otherwise proposed by shareholders;

 

 

(2)

the shareholders shall be notified of the proposals for amendments and a shareholders' general meeting shall be convened to vote on the amendments;

 

 

(3)

the amendments put to the vote at a shareholders' general meeting shall be passed by way of a special resolution.

 

 

Article 226

 

The Articles of Association of the Company shall be amended upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(1)

After amendment of the Company Law or other relevant law and administrative regulations, any provision under the Articles of Association conflicts with the provisions of the amended law or regulations;

 

 

(2)

A change occurs to the Company resulting in an inconsistency with the Articles of Association;

 

 

(3)

The Company's shareholders' general meetings decide to amend the Articles of Association of the Company.

 

 

Article 227

 

Where the amendments to the Articles of Association involve anything set out in the Mandatory Provisions, the amendments shall be effective upon the approval of the approving authorities authorized by the State Council.

 

Article 228

 

Where the amendments to the Articles of Association involve matters of corporate registration, the registration of the changes shall be made in accordance with the laws.

 

Any amendments to the Articles of Association which fall within the discloseable information provided in the laws and administrative regulations shall be published by way of a public announcement.

 

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Chapter 21

Notices and Public Announcement

 

 

Article 229

 

The Company's notices shall be delivered by the following means: (1) by designated person; (2) by mail; (3) by way of public announcement; (4) by other means in accordance with the Articles of Association.

 

The Company's notices delivered by way of public announcement are deemed to be received by all relevant parties as soon as the announcement is published, provided that such announcement shall be published in designated newspapers.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Association, notices, information or written statements to be given to the holders of overseas listed foreign shares must be served on each of them at his registered address by hand or by prepaid mail.

 

Article 230

 

When a notice is delivered by a designated person, the date on which the recipient signs or seals on the acknowledgement of receipt is deemed to be the date on which the notice is delivered.

 

When the notice is delivered by way of public announcement, the date on which the public announcement is first published is deemed to be the date on which the notice is delivered.

 

Where a notice is sent by post, the notice shall be deemed to be served by properly addressing, prepaying, putting the notice into an envelope and depositing such an envelope containing the notice in a mail box and receipt of such notice shall be deemed upon the expiration of 48 hours after the envelope containing the same is posted.

 

Article 231

 

The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by, any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the meeting and the resolutions passed at the meeting.

 

Article 232

 

Unless otherwise required, any notice or report that is stipulated to be delivered by the Articles of Association, the Company shall publish the public announcement on one or more national newspapers designated by securities regulatory authority of the State Council and other Chinese publications designated by the Board of Directors and publish the same public announcement at least on one major English and one major Chinese newspaper in Hong Kong in English and Chinese on the same day.

 

Chapter 22

Settlement of Disputes

 

 

Article 233

 

The Company shall comply with the following rules for settlement of disputes:

 

(1)

Whenever any disputes or claims relating to the business of the Company arising on the rights and obligations as provided in the Articles of Association, the Company Law and other relevant laws, administrative regulations between the shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares and the Company, between the shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares and any director, supervisor, manager or other senior executive of the Company or between the shareholders of overseas listed foreign shares and

 

 

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shareholders of domestic shares, the parties involved shall refer such kind of disputes or claims for settlement by arbitration.

 

 

 

In referring the said disputes or claims to arbitration, the entire claims and disputes shall be referred; and all the persons having the same cause of action or all the parties including the Company, shareholders, supervisors, manager or other senior executives of the Company, whose participation is necessary for the settlement of the disputes or the claims shall submit to arbitration. As to the disputes on the definition of a shareholder or register of the shareholders, it may be settled by methods other than arbitration.

 

 

(2)

At the election of the claimant, the disputes or claims shall be referred to arbitration at either China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Committee in accordance with its arbitration rules, or Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in accordance with its securities arbitration rules. Once a claimant refers a dispute or a claim to arbitration, the other party must submit to the arbitration body elected by the claimant.

 

 

 

If the claimant elects to proceed with the arbitration at Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, either party may request to proceed with the arbitration in Shenzhen in accordance with the provisions of the securities arbitration rules of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre.

 

 

(3)

The laws of the PRC shall be applicable to the settlement of disputes and claims by way of arbitration mentioned in paragraph (1) unless the laws and administrative regulations provide otherwise.

 

 

(4)

The decision of the arbitration body shall be final and binding on the parties.

 

 

Chapter 23

Bye-laws

 

 

Article 234

 

The Articles of Association are prepared in both Chinese and English, both versions of which shall have legal effect. In case of conflicts or inconsistency of other meanings between the two versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.

 

Article 235

 

The Articles of Association shall be construed by the Board of Directors and the amendments thereto shall be made by the shareholders' general meeting.

 

Article 236

 

In the Articles of Association, the term "accounting firm" shall have the same meaning as "auditors".

 

In the Articles of Association, the terms "manager", "senior deputy manager" and "deputy manager" shall respectively have the same meanings as "president", "senior deputy president" and "deputy president".

 

EXHIBIT 4.1

 

Placing Agreement among Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, J.P.Morgan Securities Ltd., CLSA Limited and China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, dated May 9, 2006. See "Exhibit 4.1" of the company's Form 20-F filed on May 31, 2006.

 

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EXHIBIT 4.2

 

SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN

ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED

AND

CITIC SECURITIES CO., LTD. AND CHINA GALAXY SECURITIES CO., LTD.

 

IN RELATION TO

SHARE SWAP MERGER OF SHANDONG ALUMINUM INDUSTRY CO., LTD. AND LANZHOU

ALUMINUM CO., LTD.

 

AND

PUBLIC ISSUE OF RMB-DOMINATED ORDINARY SHARES

 

BY ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED

 

DATE: March 12, 2007

 

Party A:

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

 

 

Residential Address:

No. 12 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing

 

 

Legal representative:

Xiao Yaqing

 

 

Contact Person:

 

 

 

Telephone:

 

 

 

Fax:

 

 

 

Postal Code:

 

 

 

Party B:

CITIC Securities Co., Ltd.

 

 

Residential Address:

Hailongwang Building, No.1030 Hubei Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen, PRC

 

 

Legal representative:

Wang Dongming

 

 

Contact Person:

Wang Ling

 

 

Contact address:

5th Floor of Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District Beijing, PRC

 

 

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Telephone:

010-84588962

 

 

Fax:

010-84865023

 

 

Postal Code

100004

 

 

Party C:

China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd.

 

 

Residential Address:

Block C, Corporate Square, No.35 Jinrong Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, PRC

 

 

Legal representative:

Zhu Li

 

 

Contact Person:

Liao Bangzheng

 

 

Contact address:

Block C, Corporate Square, No.35 Jinrong Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, PRC

 

 

Telephone:

010-66568920

 

 

Fax:

010-66568857

 

 

Postal Code:

100032

 

 

Whereas:

 

1.

Party A was co-established on September 10, 2001 by Aluminum Corporation of China ("Chinalco"), Guangxi Investment (Group) Co., Ltd. ("Guangxi Investment") and Guizhou Provincial Materials Development and Investment Corporation ("Guizhou Development") with Chinalco as its main promoters. Approved by the former State Economic and Trade Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the State Council, Chinalco signed the debt-to-equity swap Agreement with China Cinda Asset Management Corporation ("China Cinda"), China Orient Asset Management Corporation ("China Orient") and China Development Bank on September 29, 2001 and completed a debt-to-equity swap, pursuant to which China Cinda, China Orient and China Development Bank became the shareholders of the Aluminum Corporation of China Limited.

 

 

2.

Party B and Party C were legally established in China and registered in CSRC as professional securities institutions which are qualified to act as sponsors. They are entitled to take the engagement of Party A as the Sponsors and Underwriters of the A Share Issue.

 

 

3.

The parties hereto undertake to comply with the relevant laws, regulations and rules including the Company Law of the PRC, Securities Law of the PRC, Administration Measures for Initial Public Offering and Listing of Shares and the Provisional Measures for the Sponsorship System for Public Listings.

 

 

4.

The parties hereto are in compliance with the relevant stipulations for Party B and Party C as the Sponsors of Party A under the Provisional Measures for the Sponsorship System for Public Listings.

 

 

 

(1)

Party B, Party C and their respective substantial shareholders, de facto controllers, important related parties do not hold more than 7% shares of Party A in total;

 

 

 

 

(2)

Shares held or controlled by Party A in Party B and Party C are less than 7%;

 

 

 

 

(3)

None of sponsor representatives, directors, managers and other senior management in Party B and Party C has interests or hold position in Party A, which may affect the just performance of sponsor's responsibilities;

 

 

 

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(4)

None of Party B, Party C and their respective substantial shareholders, de facto controllers, important related parties provides guarantees or financing for Party A;

 

 

 

5.

Party A is a validly existing joint stock company while Party B and Party C are validly existing professional securities institutions. The parties hereto have rights capability and behaviour capability to execute the Agreement, which will become a legally binding document to the parties hereto upon execution.

 

 

6.

The parties hereto guarantee that their obligations arising from the Agreement are legal and valid, the performance of obligations hereunder by the parties hereto do not conflict with the obligations performed pursuant to other agreements or documents, nor do they collide with the laws, regulations and relevant administrative rules in PRC.

 

 

7.

Based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit, Party A engages Party B and Party C as the Sponsors of the A Share Issue who will take charge of the recommendation to the A Share Issue and Listing and the ongoing guidance during the specified Guidance Period following the listing of Party A's shares.

 

 

 

The Agreement is entered into and agreed by parties hereto after negotiation, pursuant to which the following terms are agreed:

 

 

 

(Party B and Party C shall act as the Sponsors and Underwriters when Party A applies for the A Share Issue and Listing, for which the parties hereto shall execute the section "Issuance and listing of Securities" herein. Upon the completion of A share listing and entering the Guidance Period, the parties hereto shall execute the section "Ongoing Guidance" herein.)

 

 

Party I Definitions

 

In this agreement, the following expressions have the following meaning unless the context requires otherwise:

 

"A Share Issue"

the public issue of not more than 1,500,000,000 A Shares by the Company pursuant to the resolution passed at the shareholders' general meeting of the Company on February 27, 2007;

 

 

"Share Swap Merger"

the Merger Of Shandong Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. and Lanzhou Aluminum Co., Ltd. with the Company by way of share swap pursuant to the resolution passed at the shareholders' general meeting of the Company on February 27, 2007;

 

 

"Company" or "Issuer"

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, being Party A to the Agreement;

 

 

"Shandong Aluminum"

Shandong Aluminum Co., Ltd.

 

 

"Lanzhou Aluminum"

Lanzhou Aluminum Co., Ltd.

 

 

"Underwriters/Sponsors"

CITIC Securities Co., Ltd. and China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd., being Party B and Party C to the Agreement;

 

 

"CSRC"

China Securities Regulatory Commission;

 

 

"CSDCC"

China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited

 

 

"Prospectus"

the Prospectus prepared by the Company for the A Share Issue ;

 

 

"Guidance Period"

the remaining time of the year following completion of the A Share Issue

 

 

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and listing and the subsequent two full accounting years; or up to the date on which the Issuer signs a new sponsorship agreement with other sponsors for further financing through equity market after the A Share Issue and listing;

"Sponsorship Period"

the period from the signing date of the agreement to the end of Guidance Period;

 

 

"A Shares"

RMB-denominated ordinary shares with a nominal value of RMB1.00 each issued by the Issuer to all shareholders of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum (excluding the Aluminum Corporation of China);

 

 

"Underwritten Costs":

the commissions and costs incurred payable by the Issuer to the Underwriters for the A Share Issue;

 

 

"Publishing Date"

the date on which the Prospectus of the A Share Issue and its summary are published to the public on newspapers designated by CSRC and websites of the stock exchanges;

 

 

"RMB"

Renminbi yuan.

 

 

Part II Issue and Listing of Shares

 

Article 1.

Engagement

 

 

 

I.

Party A engages Party B and Party C to act as the Sponsors (Underwriter) of the A share issue and listing and Party B and Party C hereby take the engagement.

 

 

 

Article 2.

Conditions precedent

 

 

 

I.

The sponsorship responsibilities and underwritten obligations prescribed herein to Party B and Party C during the issue and listing of shares are conditional upon the fulfilments of the following conditions before the publishing date of the prospectus:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

Party A, as an ongoing concern, is in compliance with the relevant regulations on issue conditions of public issue by a joint stock company under the Company Law of the People's Republic of China and the Securities Law of the People's Republic of China. The issue proposal herein is in compliance with the prevailing relevant laws, regulations and policies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Party A has provided, or procured intermediary institutions such as certified public accountants and law firm to provide Party B and Party C with documents and information which can justify the situations described herein, for the independent judgement of Party B and Party C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Party A is independent of its promoters, substantial shareholders, and de facto controller in terms of operation, assets, staff, organisation and finance. There are no unfair connected transactions and other acts that may affect the independent operation of Party A;

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

There are no material defects in respect of the corporate governance, finance and accounting system of Party A that may hinder its sustainable and normal operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

The senior management of Party A is informed of the necessary laws, administrative regulations and relevant knowledge, is aware of the legal obligations and responsibilities of listed companies and senior management, and has enough honest calibre and capabilities to manage a listed company;

 

 

 

 

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6.

The A share issue proposal contemplated by the Board of directors of Party A has been approved at the shareholders' general meeting of Party A; Party B and Party C have received the Prospectus and corresponding legal documents and resolutions which have been signed by the Board of Party A with satisfaction in terms of formats and contents;

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

The certified public accountants and the law firm appointed by Party A have issued auditors' report and letters of legal opinion for the purpose of the A Share Issue, and there are no pending questions and objections from CSRC to the aforesaid auditors' report and letters of legal opinion;

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

Party B and Party C have obtained enough evidences to satisfy themselves that such procedures, approvals and permits as necessary for the A Share Issue have been obtained, all procedures are completed, and all applicable regulations and rules are complied, to ensure the smooth operation of the A Share Issue and listing;

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

None of the following matters will occur during the period from the signing date of the agreement to the listing date of A share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

any change in production, operation, finance or management of Party A which would have material adverse effect on the A Share Issue;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

any judicial inquiries that are instituted by relevant authorities under the PRC government to Party A or its senior management for the alleged violation of the Company Law or relevant laws or regulations on securities market management;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

any failure of Party A to fulfil the obligations prescribed by laws or hereunder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

II.

Party A shall use its best endeavour to ensure the fulfilment of aforesaid conditions in its power. In case that the conditions precedent set out above can not be fulfilled as scheduled or waived by Party B and Party C, Party B and Party C, as the sponsors, are entitled to terminating the agreement by giving written notice to Party A or extending the time limit for the fulfilment of such conditions after negotiation with Party A.

 

 

 

Article 3.

A Shares Issue, Underwriting and Others

 

 

 

I.

The shares to be issued under the A Share Issue are RMB denominated ordinary shares (A Shares) with a nominal value of RMB1.00 each.

 

 

 

 

II.

Pursuant to the resolutions of shareholders' general meeting of the Company and the proposal for Share Swap Merger, the number of shares under the A Share Issue is 1,236,731,739 shares.

 

 

 

 

III.

The issue price under the A Share Issue is RMB6.60 per share.

 

 

 

 

IV.

The A Shares are to be issued to all shareholders (excluding the Aluminum Corporation of China) of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum.

 

 

 

 

V.

All shares issued under the A Share Issue shall be used for the merger of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum with the Company by way of share swap. Upon the completion of the A Share Issue, Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum shall be cancelled and Party A shall become the company in existence after the merger and apply for listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange,

 

 

 

Article 4.

Obligations of Party A

 

 

 

I.

Party A shall undertake to comply with the relevant regulations of CSRC and the Stock Exchange during the reviewing of application materials and the issue and listing of A Shares.

 

 

 

 

II.

Party A shall provide such documents, materials and relevant information as required under the A

 

 

 

- 203 -

 


 

 

 

Share Issue to the accountants, valuers, lead underwriter and lawyers, and shall confirm the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of the documents, materials and information provided, and ensure that there is no misleading statements or misrepresentation or material omissions.

 

 

 

 

III.

Party A shall, guided by Party B and Party C, perform all legal procedures and complete all application procedures for the A Share Issue.

 

 

 

 

IV.

Pursuant the requirements of the relevant laws, regulations and Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on Shanghai Securities Exchange, Party A shall proactively provide aid to the work of due diligence for, and provide necessary conditions and conveniences to the work of share issue and listing recommendation for, Party B and Party C.

 

 

 

 

V.

Unless otherwise required by PRC laws, regulations and relevant administrative rules, or required by Party A for its normal production and operation to make announcements, from the signing date thereof to the date when the prospectus is published, Party A shall not disclose the content of the Prospectus or other documents, materials and relevant information which may affected the A Share Issue to the public by way of news release conference, documents distribution or other forms with prior negotiation with and written consent from Party B and Party C.

 

 

 

 

6.

Party A shall bear the commissions, sponsorship fees and guidance fees for sponsors, share registration fees and other related expenses.

 

 

 

 

7.

Upon the completion of the A Share Issue, Party A shall, in accordance with the Company Law of the PRC, Securities Law of the PRC and Administration Measures for Initial Public Offering and Listing of Shares and other relevant laws and regulations, complete the relevant legal procedures such as custody of shares, registration change and announcement concerning share capital changes within a regulatory period, and list the shares under the A Share Issue as soon as practical.

 

 

 

Article 5.

Responsibilities of Party B and Party C

 

 

 

I.

Party B and Party C shall, in accordance with the relevant regulations from Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on Shanghai Securities Exchange, Provisional Measures on the Securities Issuance and Listing Sponsorship System, fulfil their obligations in the capacity of sponsors of Party A for the A Share Issue and listing.

 

 

 

 

II.

Party B and Party C shall each appoint two sponsor representatives responsible for the sponsoring work of the A Share Issue and professional communication with CSRC. Meanwhile, they shall form a work team consisting of experienced and dedicated key members in charge of the specific works for the A Share Issue.

 

 

 

 

III.

Party B and Party C shall assist Party A to plan the A Share Issue proposal, and prepare the application materials related to the A Share Issue and present recommendation documents.

 

 

 

 

IV.

Party B and Party C shall make circumspect verification to the content of public subscription notice and make independent judgement on the materials provided by and information disclosed by Party A.

 

 

 

 

V.

Party B and Party C shall coordinate the liaisons between CSRC, Shanghai Stock Exchange and CSDCC and Party A, or if necessary, make appropriate explanations in respect of the A Share Issue in accordance with the requirement of such authorities.

 

 

 

 

VI.

After the submission of recommendation documents, Party B and Party C shall take initiatives in assisting CSRC to make verification, organizing Party A and other intermediary institutions to reply the comments from CSRC, and conducting due diligence or audit in accordance with the requirements of CSRC in respect of the specific matters under the A Share Issue and listing.

 

 

 

 

VII.

To recommend the A Shares listing for Party A, Party B and Party C shall submit letters of recommendation to the Shanghai Stock Exchange as required and related documents in accordance with the

 

 

 

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Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on Shanghai Securities Exchange, and file such letters and documents with CSRC.

 

 

 

 

VIII.

Pursuant to the requirements of CSRC and Shanghai Stock Exchange, Party B and Party C shall make regulatory information disclosure, roadshow and presentation and assist Party A to apply for the listing of shares issued under the A Share Issue in prescribed time frame.

 

 

 

 

IX.

Party B and Party C shall establish independent sponsorship archives in respect of the A Share Issue, which shall be truthful, accurate and complete and kept for not less than 10 years.

 

 

 

 

X.

Unless otherwise required by PRC laws, regulations and relevant administrative rules, or required by Party B and Party C for their normal production and operation to make announcements, from the signing date thereof to the date when the prospectus is published, Party B and Party C shall not disclose the content of the Prospectus or other documents, materials and relevant information which may affected the A Share Issue to the public by way of news release conference, documents distribution or other forms without prior negotiation with or written consent from Party A.

 

 

 

 

XI.

Party B and Party C shall provide consultancy services to Party A in respect of the relevant policies, laws and finance.

 

 

 

Article 6.

Payment of expenses in relation to the A Share Issue

 

 

 

I.

Party A agrees to pay relevant commissions and sponsorship fees in respect of the sponsorship, issue and ongoing guidance services provided by Party B and Party C as the Sponsors (Underwriters) of the A Share Issue and listing.

 

 

 

 

II.

Party A agrees to pay commissions calculated as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions = issue price x number of shares to be issued x commission rate

 

 

 

 

 

=RMB 6.60/share x 1,236,731,739 shares [*] % = RMB[*];

 

 

 

 

 

Share registration fees are not included in the commissions.

 

 

 

 

III.

Party A agrees to pay RMB [*] sponsorship fees.

 

 

 

 

IV.

Payment method of commission and sponsorship fees.

 

 

 

 

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

V.

Party B and Party C shall bear the expenses in relation to the A Share Issue as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

travelling expenses incurred by Party B and Party C in relation to the A Share Issue;

 

 

 

 

 

VI.

Party A shall bear the expenses in relation to the A Share Issue as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

reviewing expenses for the A Share Issue (if necessary, will be charged by the reviewing authorities directly from Party A)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

expenses concerning the regulatory information disclosure on the press designated by CSRC for information disclosure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

the share registration fees, and expenses on promotion planning, roadshow and presentation for the A Share Issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

expenses payable to the intermediary institutions such as accountants, valuers, lawyers appointed by Party A for the A Share Issue;

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

other expenses such as travelling expenses incurred by Party A in relation to the A Share Issue;

 

 

 

 

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6.

preparation fees of application materials in relation to the A Share Issue;

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

other expenses which shall be bore by Party A.

 

 

 

 

Article 7.

Confidentiality

 

 

 

I.

The parties hereto shall keep confidential strictly for the information obtained from signing or fulfilling of the Agreement and information in relation to the followings:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

the terms of the Agreement;

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

negotiations in respect of the Agreement;

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

information and data which are proprietary, undisclosed or confidential to one party, provided to the other party in written, recorded and video forms (excluding oral form).

 

 

 

 

 

II.

Parties hereto may only disclose information described above in the following cases:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

disclosure as required by laws and regulations;

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

disclosure as required by government authorities with jurisdiction, regulatory authorities and the Stock Exchange;

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

disclosure to its professional consultants or lawyers for the purpose of the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

such information which becomes, through no fault of the any party, part of the public domain;

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

disclosure with the written approval of the parties hereto in prior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

The applicability of this article shall not lapse with the termination of the Agreement and shall remain in force for one year thereafter.

 

 

 

 

Article 8:

Disclaimers

 

 

 

I.

In the event that any party or the three parties hereto become ineligible to perform this Agreement or material adverse effect or obstacles are brought to the resumption of listing as a result of any of the following unforeseeable, unavoidable and insuperable events prior to the A Share Issue, any party is entitled to notify the other party in written to suspend or release the Agreement, where all parties are exempt from continuous performance of this Agreement;

 

 

 

 

 

1.

events of force majeure such as earthquake, typhoon, flood, fire, war;

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

issuance and implementation of new laws and regulations, amendments in the prevailing laws and regulations, and changes in the interpretations to prevailing laws and regulations by relevant authorities;

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

material changes in the country's political and economic conditions;

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

other unforeseeable accidents.

 

 

 

 

 

II.

The Party so affected from any event set out in the preceding paragraph I shall provide corresponding exhibits to other parties.

 

 

 

Article 9.

Liability of Breach

 

 

 

1.

In the event that Party A fails to operate properly, Party B and Party C is entitled to requesting and

 

 

 

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procuring Party A for rectifications. In the event that Party A fails to assist Party B and Party C for their performance as Sponsors and refuses to rectify, Party B and Party C shall issue qualified opinions and explain in their letters of recommendation. In more extreme cases, Party B and Party C have rights and shall, in accordance with the relevant regulations, refuse to issue the Letter of Recommendation on Listing and the Letter of Recommendation on Issue or withdraw them if issued. On the occasion that Party B and Party C fail to issue Letter of Recommendation on Listing and Letter of Recommendation on Issue as a result of intentional or material mistakes of Party A, Party B and Party C bear no any responsibilities.

 

 

 

 

II.

In case of any breach by one party which results in any claim for rights or compensation to be pending or threatened against the other party, the party liable shall compensate for all losses incurred by the other party, including but not limited to: expenses compensated to others; all reasonable expenses including litigation fee, lawyer fee and travelling expenses which are used for defending the above requests and realizing the demands itself in accordance with this article.

 

 

 

 

II.

In the event that Party A fails to pay the commissions and sponsorship fees as scheduled in accordance with the article 6 herein, Party A shall pay the interest penalty which is equivalent to 0.05% of the payables per day from the occurrence of the breach until the date when relevant amounts are paid to Party B and Party C.

 

 

 

Article 10.

Disputes Resolution

 

 

 

Any disputes arising from the performance of the Agreement or relevant to the Agreement shall be settled through negotiation among the parties hereto. On the occasion that the negotiation fails, the parties hereto shall agree to lodge proceedings to the local People's Court where the Agreement is signed.

 

 

Part III

Ongoing Guidance

 

 

Article 1

Responsibilities of Party A during the Guidance Period

 

 

 

1.

Party A shall operate in conformity with all relevant laws and regulations, including the requirements of Securities Law of the PRC, Company Law of the PRC, the Rules for Corporate Governance of Listed Companies and the Guidelines to Articles of Association of Listed Companies.

 

 

 

 

II.

Party A shall disclose information on timely and accurate basis in accordance with the Securities Law of the PRC, Administration Measures for Initial Public Offering, Content and Format of Information Disclosure of Companies with Public Offered Securities and the other laws, regulations and rules.

 

 

 

 

III.

Party A shall operate under the supervision and administration of CSRC.

 

 

 

 

IV.

In the event of the following situations, Party A shall, upon prior ten business days' written notice to Party B and Party C, obtain the consultative comments from and provide the relevant documents at the request of Party B and Party C. In the event that Party B and Party C issue negative opinions in respect of the relevant events, they shall request Party A to improve such events after communication with Party A. Within ten business days after the occurrence of such events, Party A shall provide Party B and Party C with explanations on the events and relevant documents. During the implementation and progress of the events, Party A shall, at the request of Party B and Party C, notify Party B and Party C in respect of the progress timely and provide relevant documents:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

connected transactions in any types, forms and contents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

external guarantees;

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

external investments;

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

disposal (including acquisition and sale) of key assets (including equity interests);

 

 

 

 

- 207 -

 


 

 

 

5.

material contract signed with external parties

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

any events involving regulatory information disclosure obligations or events reporting to CSRC and the Stock Exchange.

 

 

 

 

 

V.

Party A shall, if being violation of laws and regulations, notify Party B and Party C as soon as practicable.

 

 

 

 

VI.

In the event that Party A convenes General Meetings, meeting of the Board, Party A shall, within the regulatory notice period, notify Party B and Party C in written with the contents (including agendas and proposals) in relation to the notice of a meeting prescribed in Articles of Association and relevant regulations, and obtain the comments from Party B and Party C in respect of the matters as described above.

 

 

 

 

VII.

Party A shall guarantee no occurrence of following events and undertake to make its best endeavour for this purpose:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

Profit from principal operations slides more than 50% in the year when the A Share Issue and Listing takes place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

There are changes in substantial shareholders or de facto controller within 12 months from the date of A Share Issue and Listing;

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

More than 50% assets or principal operations are restructured on an accumulated basis within 12 months from the date of A Share Issue and Listing, and are not disclosed in the public offering documents;

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Connected transactions are not fair or in violation of regulations, for which amounts involved exceed 5% of unaudited net assets in the previous year, or profit or loss affected exceeds 10% of audited net profit in the previous year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

Substantial shareholders, de facto controller or other related parties occupy the resources of the Issuers, for which amounts involved exceed 5% of unaudited net assets in the previous year, or profit or loss affected exceeds 10% of audited net profit in the previous year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Party A provides guarantees for other parties in violation of laws and regulations, for which amounts involved exceed 10% of unaudited net assets in the previous year, or profit or loss affected exceeds 10% of audited net profit in the previous year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Party A purchases or disposes assets, loan, mandated assets management in violation of laws and regulations, for which amounts involved exceed 10% of unaudited net assets in the previous year, or profit or loss affected exceeds 10% of audited net profit in the previous year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

Senior management is under administrative punishment or subject to criminal liability due to expropriating the interests of the Issuer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

Regular reports are not disclosed in due course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Material changes in results or losses are not disclosed in accordance with the relevant requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.

Acquisition or disposal of assets is not disclosed in accordance with the relevant requirements;

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.

Connected transactions are not disclosed in accordance with the relevant requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.

Party A fails to disclose, in accordance with the relevant requirements, the losses resulting from guarantees, accidental disasters, charge and reversal of provision for assets impairments, government subsidy and damages for legal proceedings, for which profit or loss affected exceeds 10% of audited net profit in the previous year;

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.

Changes in equity pledge and de facto controller are not disclosed in accordance with the relevant requirements;

 

 

 

 

- 208 -

 


 

 

 

15.

Litigations, guarantees and material contracts are not disclosed in accordance with the relevant requirements;

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

Other circumstances prescribed by CSRC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guarantees as described above are subject to the following exceptions:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

Party A has made important notice in respect of certain or several circumstances as described above in the public subscription notice;

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Party A records unusual results or fails to perform its undertakings due to force majeure;

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

Other circumstances agreed by parties hereto.

 

 

 

 

 

VII.

Secretary to the Board of Directors and authorized representatives shall notify Party B and Party C their contact methods including office telephone, mobile phone, facsimile, correspondence addresses and other contact methods.

 

 

 

 

IX.

Party A shall accept the ongoing guidance from Party B and Party C during the Guidance Period in accordance with the requirements of Provisional Measures on the Securities Issuance and Listing Sponsorship System issued by CSRC.

 

 

 

Article 2.

Responsibilities of Party B and Party C during the Guidance Period

 

 

 

I.

Party B and Party C shall remain as the Sponsors of Party A and responsible for the ongoing guidance to Party A upon the completion of the A Share Issue in accordance with the requirements of Provisional Measures on the Securities Issuance and Listing Sponsorship System.

 

 

 

 

II.

Party B and Party C and the appointed sponsor representatives shall operate under the supervision and administration of CSRC on relevant activities.

 

 

 

 

III.

Party B and Party C shall not change sponsor representatives appointed by them except that sponsor representatives are relocated out of Party B and Party C or removed from the list by CSRC. In the event of a change in sponsor representatives, Party B and Party C shall notify Party A and report to CSRC and the Stock Exchange within 5 business days.

 

 

 

 

IV.

During the Guidance Period, Party B and Party C shall provide guidance in respect of the proper operation of Party A and determine the content and focuses of ongoing guidance and assume the following works:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

Giving guidance to the Issuer for effective implementation and improvement of a mechanism to prevent substantial shareholders and other related parties from appropriating the resources of the Issuer;

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Giving guidance to the Issuer for effective implementation and improvement of internal control system to prevent senior management from damaging the interests of the Issuer by exploiting their positions;

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Giving guidance to the Issuer for effective implementation and improvement a framework to ensure the fairness and compliance of connected transactions, and issuing opinions on connected transactions;

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Giving guidance to the Issuer for performance of obligation on information disclosure, reviewing documents to be disclosed and other documents to be submitted to CSRC and the Stock Exchange;

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

Keeping close eyes on the events such as providing guarantees to the other parties by the Issuer and expressing opinions thereon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Other works prescribed by CSRC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Upon expiry of the ongoing Guidance Period, Party B and Party C shall continue the outstanding

 

 

 

 

- 209 -

 


 

 

 

 

sponsoring works and bear the corresponding responsibilities should their duties are not performed diligently during the Guidance Period.

 

 

 

 

 

V.

Party B and Party C shall provide consultancy services for the sponsorship to Party A in respect of the relevant policies, laws and finance.

 

 

 

 

VI.

The sponsor representatives of Party B and Party C shall notify Party A their contact methods including office telephone, mobile phone, facsimile, correspondence addresses and other contact methods.

 

 

 

 

VII.

Party B and Party C shall notify Party A in written in a timely manner when issuing opinions during the performance of sponsoring duties, procure Party A to explain and rectify within the prescribed period, and record it in the archives of sponsorship and make public statement pursuant to the requirements of Provisional Measures on the Securities Issuance and Listing Sponsorship System and report to CSRC and the stock exchange.

 

 

 

 

VII.

Party B and Party C shall file the "Summary Report on Sponsorship" within 10 business days upon the completion of ongoing guidance with CSRC and the stock exchange.

 

 

 

 

IX.

Party B and Party C shall establish and improve the archives of sponsorship.

 

 

 

Article 3.

Working Mode of Guidance

 

 

 

I.

To ensure the smooth operation of ongoing guidance, the sponsor representatives appointed by Party B and Party C and other guidance staff shall be informed of the proper operation of Party A by way of on-site work, retrieving relevant materials, attending meetings such as shareholders' general meetings, the Board meetings and meetings of Supervisory Committee during the Sponsorship Period. They shall also communicate and exchange opinions with Party A by way of workshops, meeting discussion, telephone, facsimile, e-mail, etc.

 

 

 

 

II.

Party A shall proactively provide aid and assist to Party B and Party C in respect of the supervision and inquiry on guidance matters during the Guidance Period.

 

 

 

Article 4.

Dispute Resolution

 

 

 

Any disputes arising from the performance of the Agreement shall be settled through negotiation among the three parties hereto. In the event that no agreement is reached through negotiation, the provisions on dispute resolution as set out in Article 10 of Part II hereunder are applicable.

Article 5:

Disclaimers

 

 

 

The provisions on disclaimers as set out in Article 8 of Part II hereunder are applicable.

Supplementary provisions of the Agreement

 

I.

All notices and other communications hereunder shall be sent by facsimile or mailed to the relevant parties in written Chinese according to the contact methods as set out on the first page of this Agreement. The notices sent by facsimile shall come into effect upon the formal sending; the notices dispatched by mail shall take effect on the second business day after the mailing; and the notices or communications delivered by hand shall become effective upon the delivery.

 

 

II.

This Agreement constitutes the entire and sole agreement in respect of the A Share Issue sponsorship between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior understandings, arrangements or agreements.

 

 

- 210 -

 


 

III.

In respect of any material changes in the matters prescribed hereby or any pending matters therewith, parties hereto shall re-sign the Agreements or sign a supplementary agreement. A supplementary agreement constitutes an integral part of this Agreement. In case of any inconsistence between a supplementary agreement and this Agreement, the supplementary agreement shall prevail. The re-signing of the Agreement and signing of the supplementary agreement shall be agreed by parties hereto after negotiation and filed with the securities authorities.

 

 

IV.

Any amendment to this Agreement shall be reduced into writing and executed by the parties hereto.

 

 

V.

None of the parties hereto shall terminate the Agreement after the publication of public subscription notice unless Party A has appointed other sponsors for further financing activities from the A share market or Party B and Party C are removed from the sponsors list by CSRC. Upon the termination of the Agreement, the parties hereto shall report and explain to CSRC and the Stock Exchange within 5 business days thereafter.

 

 

VI.

The Agreement is signed in accordance with the relevant laws, regulations and rules including the Company Law of the PRC, Securities Law of the PRC and Administration Measures for Initial Public Offering and Listing of Shares and Provisional Measures on the Securities Issuance and Listing Sponsorship System. Where the above regulations and rules are amended or new relevant laws and regulations are issued, the terms under this Agreement which are conflict with the new laws and regulations shall lapse automatically whereas the terms not conflicting with such new laws and regulations shall remain its effect, and any of the parties hereto shall not release this Agreement therefor.

 

 

VII.

The Agreement shall come into force upon signature and seal by parties hereto, effective from the signing date hereof to the expiry of Guidance Period.

 

 

VIII.

This Agreement is signed in seven originals, each with the same force of law; the parties hereto shall hold one copy each and the remaining shall be filed with relevant authorities.

 

 

(No text contained in this page; it is a signing page for the Sponsorship Agreement between Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and CITIC Securities Co., Ltd., China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd. in relation to Share Swap Merger of Shandong Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. and Lanzhou Aluminum Co., Ltd. and Public Issue of RMB-Dominated Ordinary Shares by Aluminum Corporation of China Limited)

 

Party A:

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

 

 

Legal (Authorized) representative:

XIAO Yaqing

 

 

Date: March 12, 2007

 

 

 

(No text contained in this page; it is a signing page for the Sponsorship Agreement between Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and CITIC Securities Co., Ltd., China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd. in relation to Share Swap Merger of Shandong Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. and Lanzhou Aluminum Co., Ltd. and Public Issue of RMB-Dominated Ordinary Shares by Aluminum Corporation of China Limited)

 

- 211 -

 


 

Party B:

CITIC Securities Company Limited

 

 

Legal (Authorized) representative:

De Di Li Ren

 

 

Date: March 12, 2007

 

 

 

(No text contained in this page; it is a signing page for the Sponsorship Agreement between Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and CITIC Securities Co., Ltd., China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd. in relation to Share Swap Merger of Shandong Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. and Lanzhou Aluminum Co., Ltd. and Public Issue of RMB-Dominated Ordinary Shares by Aluminum Corporation of China Limited)

 

Party C:

China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd

 

 

Legal (Authorized) representative:

LIU Guangyao

 

 

Date: March 12, 2007

 

 

 

- 212 -

 


 

EXHIBIT 4.3

 

November 5, 2001

 


 

STRATEGIC INVESTOR SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 


 

Among

 

ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA

 

and

 

ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED

 

and

 

ALCOA INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) LTD.

 

and

 

MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER ASIA LIMITED

 

and

 

CHINA INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL CORPORATION (HONG KONG) LIMITED

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

- 213 -

 


 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I INVESTMENT

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01. Purchase of the Investor Shares

1

SECTION 1.02. Option to Purchase ADSs.

2

 

 

ARTICLE II CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01. Conditions to Closing.

2

 

 

ARTICLE III THE CLOSING

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01. Purchase of Shares in International Offering; Delivery of Shares.

3

SECTION 3.02. Over-Allotment.

4

 

 

ARTICLE IV RESTRICTIONS ON DISPOSAL BY INVESTOR

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01. Lock-up Period.

4

SECTION 4.02. Early Termination of Lock-up Period.

4

SECTION 4.03. Company's Right to Purchase Shares

5

SECTION 4.04. Compliance with Securities Laws.

5

SECTION 4.05. Permitted Arrangements.

5

SECTION 4.06. Limitation on Investor Ownership.

6

SECTION 4.07. Definitions.

6

 

 

ARTICLE V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01. Determination of IPO Price.

7

SECTION 5.02. Disclosure in Public Offering Documents.

7

SECTION 5.03. Evaluation Material; No Reliance on Opinions.

7

SECTION 5.04. Number of Shares Offered May Change.

8

SECTION 5.05. Provision of Information Memorandum.

8

 

 

- 214 -

 


 

ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01. Representations and Warranties of Investor.

8

SECTION 6.02. Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Parent.

8

SECTION 6.03. Independence of Representations and Warranties.

11

SECTION 6.04. Representations and Warranties Deemed to be Repeated at Closing.

11

 

 

ARTICLE VII ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01. Company Announcement.

11

SECTION 7.02. Limitation on Announcements by Investor.

12

SECTION 7.03. Applicability of this Article.

12

 

 

ARTICLE VIII UNDERTAKINGS

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01. Parties to Cooperate

12

SECTION 8.02. Investor's Board Representative.

12

SECTION 8.03. Right to Participate in Certain Projects

13

SECTION 8.04. Anti-dilution Rights of Investor.

14

SECTION 8.05. Limitation on Anti-dilution Rights.

14

SECTION 8.06. Share Issuances by Company.

15

SECTION 8.07. Stamp Duty.

16

SECTION 8.08. Directed Selling Efforts.

16

SECTION 8.09. Exclusivity.

16

SECTION 8.10. Other Institutional or Corporate Investors.

16

SECTION 8.11. Most Favored Treatment.

16

SECTION 8.12. Material Information.

16

SECTION 8.13. Second Joint Venture.

17

 

 

ARTICLE IX INVESTOR INFORMATION

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01. Investor Information.

18

 

 

ARTICLE X AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01. Amendment.

18

SECTION 10.02. Termination Prior to Public Filing.

18

SECTION 10.03. Termination After Public Filing.

18

SECTION 10.04. Effect of Termination.

19

 

 

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01. Notices.

19

SECTION 11.02. Entire Agreement.

20

SECTION 11.03. Survival.

20

SECTION 11.04. Benefit of Agreement.

20

SECTION 11.05. Governing Law.

21

SECTION 11.06. Dispute Resolution.

21

SECTION 11.07. Service of Process.

21

SECTION 11.08. Counterparts.

21

SECTION 11.09. Headings.

21

SECTION 11.10. Severability.

21

SECTION 11.11. Effectiveness.

21

 

 

- 215 -

 


 

SCHEDULES

 

 

 

Schedule 1

Investor Shares

 

 

APPENDICES

 

 

 

Appendix I

Form of Memorandum of Understanding

Appendix II

Terms of Registration Rights Agreement

Appendix II

PRC Opinion Matters

 

 

STRATEGIC INVESTOR SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated November 5, 2001, among Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, a joint stock limited company organized under the laws of the People's Republic of China (the "Company"), Aluminum Corporation of China, a State-owned enterprise organized under the laws of the People's Republic of China (the "Parent"), Alcoa International (Asia) Ltd. (the "Investor"), a company incorporated in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ("Hong Kong"), Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asia Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong ("Morgan Stanley") and China International Capital Corporation (Hong Kong) Limited, a company incorporated in the Hong Kong ("CICC", and together with Morgan Stanley, the "Global Coordinators").

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, The Company is proposing to offer for sale and list its H shares ("Shares") on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), and American Depositary Shares each representing 100 Shares ("ADSs") on the New York Stock Exchange, by way of a global offering (the "Global Offering") of Shares and ADSs. The Global Offering will consist of:

 

(i)

a public offer by the Company of Shares for subscription in Hong?Kong (the "Hong Kong Public Offering");

 

 

(ii)

an offering of ADSs by the Company, the Parent and other selling shareholders identified in the Final Prospectus (as defined herein) to professional and institutional investors in Hong Kong (other than to members of the public in Hong?Kong) and to other international investors outside the United States and Canada (which may, at the option of investors, be delivered in the form of Shares) (the "International Offering"); and

 

 

(iii)

a registered public offering of ADSs by the Company, the Parent and such other selling shareholders in the United States and Canada (which may, at the option of investors, be delivered in the form of Shares) (the "U.S. Offering").

 

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor wish to cooperate to promote their mutual interests and build a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship and, consistent with this, the Investor is now willing to make a significant equity investment in the Company on the basis, and according to the terms and conditions, set out in this Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements and covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

- 216 -

 


 

ARTICLE I

INVESTMENT

 

SECTION 1.01.

Purchase of the Investor Shares

 

 

(a)

The Investor will acquire the Investor Shares for cash at the IPO Price (each as defined below in Section 1.01(b)) as part of the International Offering in a transaction structured pursuant to, and meeting all requirements of, Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

 

 

(b)

For the purposes of this Agreement: the "Investor Shares" means such number of Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, offered by the Company and Parent to the Investor in the International Offering as calculated in accordance with Schedule 1 to this Agreement; and the "IPO Price" means the price per Share at which Shares are acquired by investors under the International Offering, expressed in Hong Kong dollars, and determined as referred to in Section 5.01.

 

 

(c)

For purposes of this agreement an Affiliate of a company means any entity directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under the direct or indirect common control with such company; "control" for purpose of this definition being taken to mean direct or indirect ownership of at least 50% of the voting rights of the relevant entity.

 

 

SECTION 1.02.

Option to Purchase ADSs. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1.01, the Investor may by notice in writing issued to the Company, the Parent and the Global Coordinators not later than five Hong Kong banking days prior to the due date for payment referred to in Section 3.01, elect to receive ADSs instead of Shares, in which event the "Investor Shares" means such number of ADSs as represent the aforementioned number of Shares calculated in accordance with Schedule 1 to this Agreement; and the "IPO Price" means the price per ADS at which ADSs are acquired by investors in the International Offering, expressed in U.S. dollars, and determined as referred to in Section 5.01.

 

 

ARTICLE II

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

SECTION 2.01.

Conditions to Closing.

 

 

(a)

The Investor's agreement in Article I, and the right of the Investor to acquire the Investor Shares, is conditioned upon the underwriting agreements in each of the Hong Kong Offering, the International Offering and the U.S. offering being entered into and having become unconditional (in accordance with their respective original terms or as subsequently varied by agreement of the relevant parties) by no later than June 30, 2002.

 

 

(b)

The Investor's agreement in Article I (but not the right of the Investor to acquire the Investor Shares) is also conditioned upon:

 

 

 

(i)

a memorandum of understanding between the Company and the Investor regarding projects in alumina and aluminum facilities in the form attached to this Agreement as Appendix I (the "MOU") having been duly executed and delivered by each of the Company and the Investor,

 

 

 

 

(ii)

a registration rights agreement having the terms and conditions set forth in Appendix II to this Agreement, as such terms and conditions may be varied by agreement of the Parties, and other customary provisions (the "Registration Rights Agreement") having been duly executed and delivered by each of the Company and the Investor,

 

 

 

 

(iii)

an opinion letter of Haiwen & Partners as counsel to the Company containing opinions addressing the matters set forth in Appendix III shall have been delivered to the Investor, with each such opinion set forth therein in substantially the same form and subject to the same qualifications and assumptions (and no more) as the equivalent opinion in the opinion letter delivered by Haiwen & Partners to the underwriters in connection with the closing of the Global Offering and

 

 

 

 

(iv)

the Company having used its reasonable endeavors, in conjunction with the Investor, to deliver to the Investor a "comfort letter" signed by a relevant State Leader substantially in substantially the form discussed by the Company and the Investor.

 

 

 

(c)

The Company and the Global Coordinators will use their respective reasonable endeavors to ensure that the Global Offering is completed, but there can be no guarantee of this, and none of the Company, the Parent, the Global Coordinators or any other person related to the Global Offering will accept any liability to the Investor arising from the failure of the Global Offering to be completed for any reason. If the conditions set out in Section 2.01(b) are not fulfilled by June 30, 2002, the Investor shall consult with the other parties to this Agreement regarding its purchase of the Investor Shares, provided that the Investor shall, in such case, have the right in its absolute discretion to determine whether or not to proceed with such purchase.

 

 

- 217 -

 


 

ARTICLE III

THE CLOSING

 

SECTION 3.01.

Purchase of Shares in International Offering; Delivery of Shares.

 

 

(a)

Subject to Section 2.01, the Investor will acquire the Investor Shares pursuant to, and as part of, the International Offering and through the Global Coordinators or their respective Affiliates in their capacity as underwriters of the International Offering. Accordingly, except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.01 and in Section 3.02, the Investor Shares will be acquired contemporaneously with settlement of the International Offering. Payment for the Investor Shares shall be made on the same day as payment is required from other investors that acquire Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, in the International Offering through the Global Coordinators or their respective Affiliates (the "Closing Date").

 

 

(b)

Delivery of the Investor Shares to the Investor shall be made through Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited for the account of the Investor or, if the Investor has elected to take ADSs pursuant to Section 1.02, through the facilities of DTC for the account of the Investor, on the date notified to the Investor by the Global Coordinators, which shall not be later than forty (40) days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the Shares commence trading on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and (ii) the date on which the ADSs commence trading on the New York Stock Exchange, but otherwise on the same basis on which Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, are delivered to other investors that acquire Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, under the International Offering through the Global Coordinators (or in any other manner which the Company, the Parent, the Global Coordinators and the Investor may agree). However, if the Investor gives notice to the Company no less than five (5) business days prior to the Closing Date that the Investor wishes to receive definitive certificates, upon the receipt of such notice, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Investor definitive certificates for the Shares in respect of the Investor Shares in board lots of 2000 Shares or in such other denomination as shall be reasonably requested by the Investor and notified to the Company no less than three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date.

 

 

SECTION 3.02

Over-Allotment.

 

 

If the Investor Shares include Over-allotment Shares (as defined in Schedule 1), the Investor will acquire that portion of the Investor Shares which are Over-allotment Shares (the "Over-allotment Investor Shares") pursuant to, and as part of, the International Offering and through the Global Coordinators or their respective Affiliates in their capacity as underwriters of the relevant portion of the International Offering. In connection with any exercise of the Over-allotment Option (as defined in Schedule 1), the Global Coordinators shall by written notice to the Investor, with a copy to the Company and the Parent, inform the Investor of the aggregate number of Over-allotment Investor Shares which the Investor is required to purchase as Investor Shares, as well as the time and date of payment and delivery for such Over-allotment Investor Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, the Investor shall in no event be required to pay for any Over-allotment Investor Shares before delivery thereof. The Over allotment Investor Shares shall be delivered to the Investor in Shares, unless the Investor had elected to take the Investor Shares in ADSs pursuant to Section 1.02, in which case delivery of the Over-allotment Investor Shares shall also be made in ADSs. The provisions relating to the IPO Price and the settlement procedures set forth in Sections 1.01, 1.02 and 3.01 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the Over-allotment Shares, provided the settlement procedures shall be the same as those which apply generally to the issuance and sale of Over-allotment Shares under the relevant part of the Global Offering.

 

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ARTICLE IV

RESTRICTIONS ON DISPOSAL BY INVESTOR

 

SECTION 4.01.

Lock-up Period.

 

 

The Investor agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Company and the Global Coordinators, it will not, at any time during the period of 30 months following the date of commencement of dealings in the Shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (the "Lockup Period"), dispose of any of the Relevant Shares (as defined below in Section 4.07). After the expiry of the Lock-up Period, the Investor may dispose of Relevant Shares in accordance with Section 4.02 below, provided that the Investor will use its best endeavors to assure that any such disposals do not create a false market and are otherwise in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations (including the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing Rules).

 

SECTION 4.02.

Early Termination of Lock-up Period.

 

 

(a)

Notwithstanding Section 4.01, (i) if the parties have not signed a definitive joint venture contract (the "Joint Venture Contract") for the purpose of establishing a joint venture at Pingguo within eight months of the closing of the Global Offering, or (ii) if the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation ("MOFTEC") has not issued a Certificate of Approval in respect of the establishment of the joint venture within 12 months of the closing of the Global Offering, the Lock-up Period shall, on the business day next following the expiration of such eight-month period or 12-month period, as the case may be, (the "Lock-up Early Termination Date"), immediately terminate.

 

 

(b)

If (i) the parties have not signed the Joint Venture Contract within eight months of the closing of the Global Offering, or (iii) MOFTEC has not issued a Certificate of Approval in respect of the establishment of the joint venture within 12 months of the closing of the Global Offering, in each case as a result of a failure by one party to abide by the expressions of intent memorialized in the MOU, that party shall pay to the other party US$7.5 million as a reasonable estimate of transaction expenses within 30 days of the Lock-up Early Termination Date, provided however, that in no case shall either the Investor or the Company be required to make such payment to the other party, where such other party has first failed to abide by the expressions of intent memorialized in the MOU.

 

 

SECTION 4.03.

Company's Right to Purchase Shares

 

 

In the event that Investor, following the expiration of the Lock-up Period, desires to sell, assign, or otherwise transfer or dispose of Relevant Shares to a third party, the Investor shall first offer all of the Relevant Shares that it desires to dispose of (the "Offered Shares") to the Company, by written notice. The price per share at which Investor shall offer to sell the Offered Shares to the Company shall be equal to the weighted average closing price of the H Shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on the 10 business days preceding the delivery of such notice to the Company. The Company shall have 15 calendar days (the "Offer Period") from receipt of the written offer, in which to (i) elect to accept such offer, or (ii) arrange for another party of its choosing (a "Designated Purchaser") to accept such offer, in either case by giving written notice thereof to the Investor. Unless otherwise agreed by Investor, such acceptance must be for all, but not a portion of such Offered Shares. The Company or Designated Purchaser, as the case may be, shall then make payment for, and the Investor shall deliver, the Offered Shares within ten business days following such acceptance.

 

(b)

In the event that the Company or Designated Purchaser fails to accept the offer within the Offer Period, the Investor may, within a period of 90 days thereafter, sell, assign or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Offered Shares.

 

 

SECTION 4.04.

Compliance with Securities Laws.

 

 

The Investor acknowledges that in connection with its investment in the Company, it has received information that may constitute material non-public information, including without limitation the evaluation material (as defined in Section 5.03). The Investor therefore agrees that it will not, and will use its best endeavors to assure that its Affiliates, associates, directors, officers, employees, advisors and representatives do not, purchase, sell or otherwise trade, directly or indirectly, in the Shares or any public securities of the Company, the Parent or their respective Affiliates or associates in a manner that could result in any violation of the securities laws of the United States, Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China or any other jurisdiction.

 

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SECTION 4.05.

Permitted Arrangements.

 

 

This Article IV shall not prevent (i)?the Investor from acquiring the Relevant Shares from any of its Affiliates or (ii) the Investor (or any of its Affiliates) from transferring Relevant Shares to any Affiliate of the Investor or to the Investor (collectively, "permitted arrangements"), provided that, in all cases (A) the Investor shall first obtain the consent from the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, (B) the Investor shall be responsible for ensuring that each of its Affiliates that holds any Relevant Shares as a result of any permitted arrangements shall duly comply with this Article IV as if bound by such obligations itself, and (C) if any of its Affiliates which holds any Relevant Shares as a result of any permitted arrangements is about to or will cease to be an Affiliate of the Investor, such entity shall (and the Investor shall procure that such entity shall), before ceasing to be an Affiliate of the Investor, ensure that its entire interest in any such Relevant Shares is fully and effectively transferred to the Investor or to an Affiliate of the Investor.

 

SECTION 4.06.

Limitation on Investor Ownership.

 

 

(a)

The Investor agrees that it will not subscribe for or purchase, whether directly or indirectly through any associate (as defined in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited), any additional Shares so as to increase its shareholding in the Company to 10.0% or more of the outstanding issued share capital of the Company except with the prior written consent of the Company.

 

 

(b)

In the event that the Company repurchases its Shares pursuant to any share repurchase program or otherwise pursuant to a mandate granted to the Company's board of directors, the Investor shall sell to the Company and the Company shall purchase from the Investor such number of Shares necessary, if any, so that its shareholding shall continue to be less than 10.0% of the issued share capital of the Company. Shares sold by the Investor to the Company pursuant to this subsection shall be sold at a price equal to the higher of (i) the price at which other Shares are sold to the Company in the share repurchase program or under the general mandate, as the case may be, and (ii) the weighted average closing price of the H Shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on the 10 business days preceding the date which the Company repurchases Shares in the share repurchase program or under the general mandate, as the case may be.

 

 

(c)

In the event that, for any reason, the Investor's shareholding increases to 10.0% or more of the outstanding issued share capital of the Company, the Investor shall, within ten days from the date of such increase, dispose of such number of H Shares as shall reduce its shareholding to less than 10.0% of the issued share capital of the Company.

 

 

(d)

Notwithstanding subsections 4.06(a), (b) and (c), if the Investor provides written notice to the Company that it wishes to increase its holding of Shares to 10.0% or more of the outstanding issued share capital of the Company, the Company hereby undertakes to use its reasonable endeavors to (i) obtain such waivers, permissions or approvals from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with respect to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's public float requirements, included but not limited to Rule 19A.14 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, so that Investor may increase its shareholding without causing the Company to fail to comply with such public float requirements, and (ii) provided such waivers, permissions and approvals are obtained and subject to any other legal and regulatory requirements that may need to be complied with by the Company, provide the Investor with the written consent required by Section 4.06(a).

 

 

SECTION 4.07.

Definitions. For the purpose of this Agreement, references to:

 

 

(a)

"dispose of" or "disposal" includes any action to (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ADSs or Shares (directly or in the form of ADSs) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, such ADSs or Shares or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such share capital, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of share capital or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; and

 

 

(b)

"Shares" and other shares and/or securities of the Company shall be deemed to include Shares (and, if applicable, other shares and/or securities of the Company) represented by ADSs and other depositary receipts and similar rights. References to disposals and acquisitions of, and other transactions in, Shares and other shares and/or securities of the Company shall be deemed to include swaps, contracts for differences and other derivative transactions having equivalent or comparable economic effect. Calculations and determinations made in good faith by the Global Coordinators shall be conclusive with respect to the number of the Investor Shares and the IPO Price for the purposes of Article I.

 

 

(c)

"Relevant Shares" means the Investor Shares and any shares or other securities of the Company, which are derived from the Investor Shares (pursuant to any rights issue, capitalization issue or other form of capital reorganization).

 

 

(d)

"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on the general affairs, management, financial position or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and branches, taken as a whole.

 

 

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ARTICLE V

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

SECTION 5.01.

Determination of IPO Price.

 

 

The IPO Price is to be fixed by agreement between the Company, the Parent and the Global Coordinators (on behalf of the underwriters) following, and on the basis of, an international "roadshow" and "bookbuilding" process.

 

SECTION 5.02.

Disclosure in Public Offering Documents.

 

 

This Agreement and the relationship and arrangements between the parties contemplated by this Agreement will be required to be described in public offering documentation and other marketing materials for the Global Offering and, specifically, this Agreement will be a material contract required to be filed with regulatory authorities and/or made available for public inspection in connection with the Global Offering.

 

SECTION 5.03.

Evaluation Material; No Reliance on Opinions.

 

 

The Investor Shares will be acquired by the Investor through the Global Coordinators as underwriters as set forth in Sections 3.01 and 3.02 above, but on the basis that:

 

(a)

other than the representations and warranties of the Company and the Parent set forth in Section 6.02(d), and notwithstanding that any information or material concerning the Company and/or the Parent (whether prepared by the Company, the Parent, the Global Coordinators, or their respective Affiliates, associates, representatives or advisers or otherwise) may have been furnished to the Investor by or on behalf of the Company or the Parent on or before the date hereof (collectively "evaluation material"), neither the Company, the Parent, the Global Coordinators, nor any of their respective Affiliates, associates, representatives or advisers have made, or make, any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the evaluation material, and none of the Company, the Parent, the Global Coordinators and their respective Affiliates, associates, representatives or advisers has or will accept any liability to the Investor or any of its representatives or advisers arising from the use of or reliance on the evaluation material; and

 

 

(b)

except for the opinion of Haiwen & Partners referred to in Section 2.01, the Investor has not relied, and will not be entitled to rely, on any legal opinion or other advice given by the Global Coordinators, legal counsel to the Company or the Parent, or legal counsel to the Global Coordinators and underwriters, and has obtained its own independent advice to the extent it has considered necessary or appropriate.

 

 

SECTION 5.04.

Number of Shares Offered May Change.

 

 

The Investor acknowledges and agrees that, subject to Schedule 1, the Company, the Parent and the Global Coordinators shall have the absolute discretion to change or adjust (i) the number of Shares and ADSs comprising the Global Offering or any part thereof; and (ii) the ratio of Shares and ADSs to be offered by the Company and the Parent respectively under the Global Offering or any part thereof; provided, however, the Global Coordinators shall promptly inform the Investor of (i) any proposed reduction or increase of the total number of Shares comprising the Global Offering (including Shares represented by ADSs) from the aggregate number as reflected in the preliminary offering circular to be used in connection with the International Offering (the "Preliminary Offering Circular"); and (ii) any proposed change to the ratio of the aggregate number of Shares offered by the Company and the Parent respectively in the Global Offering as reflected in the Preliminary Offering Circular.

 

SECTION 5.05.

Provision of Information Memorandum.

 

 

The Investor acknowledges and agrees that it has received, on the date hereof, an information memorandum signed for identification purposes by the Company containing information relating to the Company and the Global Offering (the "Information Memorandum").

 

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ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

SECTION 6.01.

Representations and Warranties of Investor.

 

 

The Investor hereby represents and warrants to the Company and the Parent that:

 

(a)

It has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the MOU, and each of this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the MOU has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Investor, provided however, that the MOU shall be legally binding solely to the extent stated therein;

 

 

(b)

It is not a U.S. Person (as defined in Rule 902 of, Regulation S under the Securities Act) and is acquiring the Investor Shares in an offshore transaction in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act;

 

 

(c)

It does not, directly or indirectly, own more than 5% of the outstanding common stock (or other voting securities) of any member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") or a holding company for a NASD member, and is not otherwise a "restricted person" for the purposes of the Free-Riding and Withholding Interpretation of NASD.

 

 

SECTION 6.02.

Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Parent.

 

 

Each of the Company and the Parent hereby represents and warrants to the Investor that:

 

(a)

Each of the Company and the Parent has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company and the Parent; the Company has full power and authority to enter into the MOU, and the MOU has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company and the Parent;

 

 

(b)

The domestic shares and the H shares (or their ADS equivalent) are the only classes of shares and they shall rank pari passu in all material respects;

 

 

(c)

Neither the Company, the Parent, nor any of their respective Affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any "directed selling efforts" (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) with respect to any Shares or ADSs that are not registered under the Securities Act; and none of such persons has taken any actions that would result in the sale of the Investor Shares to the Investor under this Agreement requiring registration under the Securities Act; and the Company is a "foreign issuer" (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act); and

 

 

(d)

The Company and the Parent have made available to the Investor, its advisors or agents certain management accounts regarding the Pingguo plant (the "Pingguo Documents"), including:

 

 

 

(i)

the income statement and balance sheet as of December 31, 2000, and balance sheet as of June 30, 2001;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

operating cost breakdowns for alumina and aluminum as of December 31, 2000 and June 30, 2001, as signed for identification by the Company;

 

 

 

 

(iii)

general administration and selling expenses as of December 31, 2000 and June 30, 2001, as signed for identification by the Company.

 

 

 

 

To the best of the Company's knowledge and belief, the Pingguo Documents have been prepared on a reasonable basis, are complete in all material respects and fairly present the information contained therein.

 

 

(e)

The Parent has been duly organized and is validly existing under the laws of the PRC; the Company has been duly incorporated as a joint stock company with limited liability and is validly existing under the laws of the PRC.

 

 

(f)

Each of the Parent and the Company has the right, power and authority and has taken all actions required, including but not limited to, the obtaining of all necessary governmental or regulatory approvals and consents from third parties, in order to execute and deliver, and to exercise its respective rights and perform its respective obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder.

 

 

(g)

Neither the execution of this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement, nor the performance by the Parent and the Company of their respective obligations under this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement (i) violates or will violate their respective articles of incorporation, (ii) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction or any stock exchange, including without limitation the SEHK, on which the Shares or ADSs will be listed or (iii) conflicts with or results in a breach of any agreement of the Parent or the Company or to which the Parent or the Company or any of their respective assets are bound or will be bound, except where such violation, conflict or breach will not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

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(h)

Each of the Investor Shares, when issued or sold, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement will have been duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free from any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, option, restriction, right of first refusal, right of pre-emption, third party right or interest, other encumbrance or security interest of any kind or another type of preferential arrangement, including, without limitation, a title transfer or retention, arrangement having similar effect, and will conform in all material respects to the description of the Shares or ADSs (as the case may be) contained in the Information Memorandum.

 

 

(i)

The Company and each of its branches and subsidiaries have all necessary licenses, permissions, authorizations and consents (collectively referred to hereinafter as "licenses") necessary to own, lease, license and use its properties and assets and conduct its business in the manner described in the Information Memorandum; the Company and each of its branches and subsidiaries are in compliance with the provisions of all such licenses except where failure to have or comply with any such licenses would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has no reason to believe that any governmental authority or other relevant body is considering modifying, suspending or revoking any such license.

 

 

(j)

The Company is duly qualified for the transaction of business under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases property and such qualification is required, or is subject to no material disability by reason of the failure to be so qualified.

 

 

(k)

Neither the Company nor any of its branches or subsidiaries is in violation of its respective articles of association, business license or other constituent documents except for any such violations that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(l)

The description of the events and transactions (the "Reorganization") set forth in the Information Memorandum under the caption "Reorganization" is true and correct in all material respects; and such events and transactions were in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations of the PRC.

 

 

(m)

As at the Closing Date, all consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations and qualifications required in connection with the Reorganization have been made or unconditionally obtained in writing, and no such consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification has been withdrawn or is subject to any condition precedent which has not been fulfilled or performed; provided however, that the warranty contained in this paragraph shall not extend to any consent, approval, authorization, order, registration and qualification required in connection with the Restructuring which is not material in the context of the Company and its subsidiaries and branches, taken as a whole.

 

 

(n)

Except as disclosed in the Information Memorandum, so far as the company and the Parent are aware, there are no pending or threatened civil, criminal, arbitration, administrative or other claims, proceedings, investigations or inquiries in any jurisdiction involving the Company which, if decided adversely to the Company or Parent, as the case may be, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(o)

The Company has not taken any corporate action nor have any other steps been taken or legal proceedings been started or, to the best of the knowledge, information and belief of the Company and the Parent, threatened against the Company for its winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganization (whether by voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) or for the appointment of a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, custodian, trustee or similar officer of it or of any or all of its assets or revenues.

 

 

(p)

The Information Memorandum does not, as of the date hereof, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

 

(q)

It is currently expected that the Company will file a final prospectus (the "Final Prospectus") with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on or around December 14, 2001 in connection with the Global Offering. Each of the Company and the Parent represents and warrants to the Investor that the Final Prospectus, on the date that it is filed with the SEC, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

 

 

SECTION 6.03.

Independence of Representations and Warranties.

 

 

Each of the representations and warranties of the Investor set forth in Section 6.01 and those of the Company and the Parent set forth in Section 6.02, respectively, shall be construed as separate.

 

SECTION 6.04.

Representations and Warranties Deemed to be Repeated at Closing.

 

 

Each of the representations and warranties shall be deemed to be repeated as of the Closing Date with the exception of the representation and warranty contained in paragraph 6.02(p), which is effective only as of the date hereof.

 

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ARTICLE VII

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

SECTION 7.01.

Company Announcement.

 

 

Subject to approval of the Investor and the Global Coordinators (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Company and/or the Parent may issue a press announcement with respect to this Agreement following public filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company's Registration Statement for the Global Offering. The Company and the Parent will obtain the prior approval of the Investor and the Global Coordinators (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) for references to the Investor in such press announcement, the offering documentation for the Global Offering and any other public statements to be made by the Company and/or the Parent in connection with the Global Offering.

 

SECTION 7.02.

Limitation on Announcements by Investor.

 

 

Except (i) for any announcement by the Investor that may be required by any stock exchange on which the Investor's securities are listed or traded or under any law or regulation (but only after such prior consultation in good faith with the Company, the Parent and the Global Coordinators as is practicable in the circumstances with respect to the form, content and timing of any such announcement); or (ii) as may be agreed by the Company, the Parent and the Global Coordinators, the Investor will not make any announcement or other public statement with respect to this Agreement or the arrangements contemplated by this Agreement.

 

SECTION 7.03.

Applicability of this Article.

 

 

Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall terminate, and shall cease to have any effect, upon the closing of the Global Offering.

 

ARTICLE VIII

UNDERTAKINGS

 

SECTION 8.01.

Parties to Cooperate

 

 

(a)

The Investor and the Company and the Parent shall cooperate with respect to making any notifications to, or obtaining consents and/or approvals of, third parties that are or may be required for the purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

 

(b)

The Company agrees to hold strategic investor meetings with the Investor no less than once every six (6) months to be attended by representatives of the Company and the Investor. The Investor shall be entitled to participate and shall participate in such meetings. The time, number of attendees and other procedural matters relating to such meetings shall be agreed between the Company and the Investor from time to time.

 

 

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SECTION 8.02.

Investor's Board Representative.

 

 

(a)

The Parent hereby undertakes that, for so long as the Investor and its Affiliates shall hold, in the aggregate, more than 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company, it will vote its Shares in the Company, and shall cause its subsidiaries, and shall use its reasonable endeavors to cause its other Affiliates, to vote any Shares that such persons hold in the Company in favor of the person nominated by the Investor for election to the Company's board of directors as a non-executive director, and each of the Company and the Parent hereby undertakes that for so long as the Investor and its Affiliates shall hold, in the aggregate, more than 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company, it will cause the nomination of such person for election by shareholders as a non-executive director, and take all other reasonable steps within its power to facilitate the appointment of such person as a non-executive director of the Company's board of directors, subject in each case, however, to the following conditions: (i) such person shall have good standing and suitable qualifications and experience for election to the Company's board, (ii) such appointment shall be made be in accordance with the articles of association of the Company and all applicable laws and regulations.

 

 

(b)

The Investor hereby undertakes that it will vote its Shares in the Company, and shall cause its subsidiaries, and shall use its reasonable endeavors to cause its other Affiliates to vote any Shares in the Company held by such persons, in favor of all persons nominated by the Parent or the Company for election to the Company's board of directors, and the Investor hereby undertakes that it will take all other reasonable steps within its power to facilitate the appointment of such persons as directors of the Company's board of directors, subject in each case, however, to the following conditions: (i) such persons shall have good standing and suitable qualifications and experience for election to the Company's board, (ii) such appointments shall be made be in accordance with the articles of association of the Company and all applicable laws and regulations.

 

 

(c)

The Investor agrees that if the shareholding of it and its Affiliates, in the aggregate, in the Company shall fall below 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company for a period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days, it will, at the written request of the Company, procure that its representative on the Company's board of directors will resign from such board as soon as it is practicable to do so.

 

 

(d)

In the event that Investor's shareholding in the Company shall fall below 8% as a result of a transaction or transactions referred to in Section 8.05(b), Sections 8.02(a), (b) and (c) above shall continue to apply to it as if Investor owned 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company unless and until its shareholding shall fall below 5%.

 

 

SECTION 8.03.

Right to Participate in Certain Projects

 

 

(a)

The Company and the Investor each hereby agrees that, for a period ending on the date on which the Investor's shareholding in the Company shall have fallen below 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company for a period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days, with respect to any project in bauxite mining, metallurgical alumina refining and primary aluminum smelting that (i) the Company proposes to undertake through any manner of equity participation together with a foreign partner, including, without limitation, projects relating to the expansion of the Company's existing alumina or aluminum production facilities, or the development of new such facilities in the PRC or (ii) the Investor proposes to undertake through any manner of equity participation together with a domestic partner in the PRC, the Company or the Investor, as the case may be, will provide the other with notice of its intention to undertake such project (a "Project Notice"). The Project Notice shall describe the project in reasonable detail and shall specify an estimate of the cost and other terms and conditions on which it proposes to undertake such project.

 

 

(b)

Following the delivery of the Project Notice, the Company or the Investor, as the case may be, shall discuss the other Party's participation in the project in good faith for a period (the "Exclusivity Period") expiring on the earlier of:

 

 

 

(i)

Ninety (90) days from delivery; and

 

 

 

 

(ii)

The time the Company or the Investor, as the case may be, notifies the other Party that it is not interested in pursuing the project.

 

 

 

(c)

If no memorandum of understanding or comparable agreement is signed by each of the Company and the Investor during the Exclusivity Period, the Company or the Investor, as the case may be, shall be free to discuss and enter into agreements regarding the project with other potential partner(s); provided however, that neither the Company nor the Parent, on the one hand, nor the Investor, on the other, (i) shall enter into any agreement with respect to such project with such other partner(s) on terms and conditions more favorable than those offered to the other under this section 8.03 (ii) nor enter into any agreement with respect to or otherwise pursue such project at the site(s) which are the subject of the MOU.

 

 

(d)

In the event that Investor's shareholding in the Company shall fall below 8% as a result of a transaction referred to in Section 8.05(b), Sections 8.03(a), (b) and (c) above shall continue to apply to it as if it owned 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company, provided that its shareholding is not below 5%.

 

 

(e)

For purposes of this section 8.03, the term "partner" shall mean any corporation engaged in bauxite mining operations, metallurgical alumina refining, or primary aluminum smelting.

 

 

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SECTION 8.04.

Anti -dilution Rights of Investor.

 

 

(a)

If, following the closing of the Global Offering, the Company issues or places any new H Shares for cash consideration (the "Additional Shares") or other securities (the "Other Securities") convertible or exchangeable into or which represent new H Shares (the Additional Shares and the Other Securities are hereinafter referred to as the "Additional Securities") within a period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date thirty (30) days after the date on which the Investor's ownership becomes less than 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company (the "Anti-dilution Period"), the Investor shall, subject to applicable laws and regulations, have the right to purchase or subscribe for (at the same price, at the same time and under the same terms as the Additional Securities are issued or placed to other investors) such number of the Additional Securities as are necessary so that Investor may maintain its percentage shareholding in the capital of the Company (the "Relevant Shareholding") immediately prior to such issuance or placement.

 

 

(b)

In the event that Investor's shareholding in the Company shall fall below 8% as a result of a transaction referred to in Section 8.05(b), Section 8.04(a) above shall continue to apply to it as if it owned 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company, provided that its shareholding is not below 5%.

 

 

SECTION 8.05.

Limitation on Anti -dilution Rights. Notwithstanding any provision in Section 8.04:

 

 

(a)

The exercise by the Investor of the aforesaid right shall be subject to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing Rules that are in force from time to time.

 

 

(b)

Section 8.04 shall not apply to:

 

 

 

(i)

any issuance of Additional Securities to officers, directors or employees of the Company in connection with any stock option plan, incentive plan or other similar plan or scheme;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

any offering or issuance of Additional Securities in which the Investor is not eligible to purchase Shares or otherwise participate as the result of the application of any law, rule or regulation of the People's Republic of China, the United States or other applicable jurisdiction;

 

 

 

 

(iii)

any issuance of Additional Securities in connection with a transaction in which the Company merges or combines with, acquires an interest in, or establishes a partnership, joint venture or similar relationship with, another business entity.

 

 

 

(c)

Nothing in Section 8.04 shall require the Company to:

 

 

 

(i)

file a prospectus with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong pursuant to the Companies Ordinance;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of any Additional Securities;

 

 

 

 

(iii)

issue, sell or place any Additional Securities in a manner that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, would or would likely result in a violation of the registration requirements of the Securities Act or the regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder or the securities laws of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction; or

 

 

 

 

(iv)

make any offer or undertake any sale of H Shares where the Company otherwise contemplated no such offer or sale.

 

 

 

(d)

The Investor shall, upon the reasonable request of the Company, provide to the Company such certifications, representations, warranties and covenants as the Company may reasonably request with regard to establishing that the purchase or subscription by the Investor of any Additional Securities is a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

 

(e)

Nothing in this Section 8.05 shall limit any rights of the Investor under any applicable law, rule, regulation or contract.

 

 

SECTION 8.06.

Share Issuances by Company.

 

 

(a)

The Company hereby undertakes that if it should conduct an offering of domestic shares in the People's Republic of China, or otherwise issue or sell Shares pursuant to a transaction in which the Investor's anti-dilution rights do not apply as a result of the application of 8.05(b) or (c) hereof, the Company will use its reasonable endeavors to provide the Investor with the opportunity to purchase or subscribe for (at a price to be agreed upon by the parties based upon prevailing market practice and valuation standards for the pricing of ordinary H shares in similar placements made at the time of such offering of domestic shares or Shares, and under customary terms no less favorable to the Investor than the terms under which such domestic shares or Shares are issued in such offering or transaction) such number of H shares so that Investor is able to maintain its Relevant Shareholding.

 

 

(b)

The Company further undertakes that, during the Lock-up Period, it will not engage in any transaction or series of transactions in which the Investor's anti-dilution rights would not otherwise apply as a result of the application of 8.05(b) or (c) hereof, and as a result of which the Investor's shareholding would be reduced to less than 5% of the Company's outstanding share capital.

 

 

- 226 -

 


 

SECTION 8.07.

Stamp Duty.

 

 

Any stamp duty payable in connection with the acquisition of the Investor Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be borne by the Parent.

 

SECTION 8.08.

Directed Selling Efforts.

 

 

Neither the Company, the Parent, nor any of their respective Affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf will engage in any "directed selling efforts" (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) with respect to any Shares or ADSs that are not registered under the Securities Act and none of such persons will take, any actions that would result in the sale of the Investor Shares to the Investor under this Agreement requiring registration under the Securities Act.

 

SECTION 8.09.

Exclusivity.

 

 

(a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, neither the Company nor the Parent have entered into, nor shall they, at any time prior to closing of the Global Offering and for so long as the Investor and its Affiliates shall hold, in the aggregate, more than 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company, enter into any other placing agreements or similar arrangements with other non-PRC companies engaged in the aluminum industry for the sale of Shares to such companies.

 

 

(b)

In the event that the Investor's shareholding in the Company shall fall below 8% as a result of a transaction referred to in Section 8.05(b), Section 8.09(a) above shall continue to apply to it as if it owned 8% of the outstanding share capital of the Company, provided that its shareholding is not below 5%.

 

 

SECTION 8.10.

Other Institutional or Corporate Investors.

 

 

Subject always to the restrictions of Section 8.09, the Company and Parent agree that they shall provide copies of any other placing agreements with other institutional or corporate investors for the sale of Shares to the Investor as soon as practicable after the later of the signing of this Agreement and the signing of such other agreement.

 

SECTION 8.11.

Most Favored Treatment.

 

 

The Company and the Parent agree that the Company and the Parent will not issue or sell any securities under the Global Offering to any other institutional or corporate investors, including those who are specifically named in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 to be filed in connection with the Global Offering (the "Form F-1"), with terms, whether such terms are in the original placing or similar agreement or any amendments or side agreements thereof or thereto, which provide to such investor (a) a more favorable purchase price, (b) more favorable anti-dilution rights, (c)?more favorable closing conditions or termination rights, (d) more favorable rights of sale, including without limitation, any tag-along rights or registration rights under any applicable securities law, (f) any more favorable rights to participate in, or influence, the management of the Company or in other joint projects, or (g) an equal treatment provision that is more favorable than this Section 8.11, in each case unless the Company and the Parent make such terms available to the Investor. The Investor shall have 48 hours after receiving the other agreement to demand the application of any such favorable terms to this agreement and the Company shall grant such demanded rights.

 

SECTION 8.12.

Material Information.

 

 

The Company shall, from the date hereof and continuing until the Closing Date, promptly provide the Investor with all amendments to the F-1, including exhibits, which it files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

- 227 -

 


 

SECTION 8.13.

Second Joint Venture.

 

 

As an integral part of the relationship established between the Investor and the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the parties acknowledge their good faith intention to establish a second Sino-foreign equity joint venture company in 2005-2006. As a precondition to forming this second joint venture relationship, the parties must have agreed that the initial joint venture company at Pingguo has achieved both a good beginning of the strategic partnership between both parties and their mutual objectives as at that time. As a further precondition to the establishment of the second joint venture, the Investor must have maintained a sufficient number of shares in order to be entitled to a board representative in accordance with section 8.02 of this Agreement. The second joint venture could be formed at an existing location of the Company or at a greenfield location, as the parties mutually agree. The structure of the joint venture company at Pingguo shall serve as a guide for the establishment of this second joint venture, including but not limited to the equity ratio and governance structure of the Pingguo joint venture agreement, unless otherwise agreed.

 

The total investment in the second joint venture will also be the subject of good faith negotiations between the parties. If the second joint venture is to be based upon construction of a greenfield facility and/or brownfield expansion, the total investment will be based on the estimated capital cost of the construction of the facility, as-established in the approved feasibility study for the project. If the second joint venture is td be based upon one of the Company's existing locations, the parties will negotiate in good faith to establish the value of the investments in the business of the second joint venture, taking into consideration all of the following factors:

 

 (i)

the value of the business at the agreed second joint venture location as verified by the Ministry of Finance, adjusted for any material changes such as capital expenditures or asset sales by the Company since the date of the valuation;

 

 

 (ii)

the value per tonne of the total investment in the refining and smelting business at Pingguo, as expanded, as reflected in the MOU;

 

 

 (iii)

the discounted cash flow valuation of the business based on the average realized revenue per tonne obtained by the Company for the relevant aluminum products produced during the period 2001 through 2005, the average realized revenue per tonne for this same time period for aluminum products in the rest of the world, financial projections for the joint venture entity at that time and projections for such aluminum products for the future from reputable industry analysts.

 

 

The actual total investment and registered capital of the second joint venture shall be finalized during the development of the joint feasibility study for the project

 

ARTICLE IX

INVESTOR INFORMATION

 

SECTION 9.01.

Investor Information.

 

 

The Global Coordinators shall use reasonable efforts to keep the Investor regularly informed verbally of relevant matters relating to the Global Offering up to the Closing Date. Such verbal communication shall be made by a designee of the Global Coordinators to a designee of the Investor, such designees to be notified to the other party in accordance with Article XI. Further, the Global Coordinators agree to use their reasonable endeavors to provide information to the Investor relating to the level of expected demand for ADSs and Shares in the Global Offering by institutional and retail investors. This information will consist essentially of the Global Coordinators' estimate related to the level of demand for ADSs and Shares by institutional and retail investors at the time of pricing the Global Offering and executing the underwriting agreements. Subject to the preceding sentences of this Section 9.01, the provision of such information, as regards its form, content, timing and otherwise, shall be in the absolute discretion of the Global Coordinators. While the Global Coordinators will exercise reasonable care in providing such information, neither Morgan Stanley nor CICC, nor any of their respective representatives, will accept any liability to the Investor whether as a result of the provision or non-provision of any such information, or of the Investor's reliance on any such information, or otherwise howsoever arising therefrom.

 

- 228 -

 


 

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

SECTION 10.01.

Amendment.

 

 

This Agreement may not be amended or varied except by written instrument executed by all parties hereto.

 

SECTION 10.02.

Termination Prior to Public Filing.

 

 

It is currently expected that the Company will file an amended Form F-1 Registration Statement (the "Form F-1") containing the preliminary "red herring" prospectus with the SEC on or around November 20, 2001 (the "Preliminary Prospectus") to be used in connection with marketing the Global Offering. At least two days prior to the public filing of such Preliminary Prospectus with the SEC, the Company shall provide a copy of the Form F-1, including all exhibits thereto, whether filed on such date or previously filed with the SEC, to the Investor. The Global Coordinators shall use reasonable endeavors to keep the Investor informed of any change to the proposed time for the filing of the Preliminary Prospectus. If, at any time during the period between the date of the Information Memorandum and the date of the Preliminary Prospectus, there shall occur any development or series of developments that, taken as a whole, have a material adverse affect on the Company, the Investor shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by written notice delivered to the other parties hereto; provided that the Investor shall first consult with the other Parties hereto before exercising its right to terminate under this Section 10.02.

 

SECTION 10.03.

Termination After Public Filing.

 

 

If, at any time during the period between the filing of the Preliminary Prospectus and the closing of the Global Offering, there shall occur any development or series of developments that, taken as a whole, have a material adverse affect on the Company such that the Company re-circulates the Preliminary Prospectus, the Company shall deliver a written notice, together with the completed amended Form F-1 registration statement including the Preliminary Prospectus to be re-circulated (and use reasonable endeavors to confirm such written notice by telephone call to the person nominated to receive notices on behalf of the Investor as set out in Section 10.01) to the Investor and the Global Coordinators (a "Re-circulation Notice"). The Investor, upon receipt of a Recirculation Notice, shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by written notice delivered to the other parties hereto within 24 hours of the such receipt; provided that the Investor shall first consult with the other Parties hereto before exercising its right to terminate under this Section 10.03. For the avoidance of doubt, it is agreed that if no notice of termination is received by the other parties hereto within 24 hours of the receipt of the Re-circulation Notice, the Investor is deemed to -have waived its right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.03, and no claims may be brought by the Investor against any of the other parties hereto in relation to the development or developments that gave rise to the Re-circulation Notice, unless after amendment to reflect such development or developments, the re-circulated prospectus still contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

SECTION 10.04.

Effect of Termination.

 

 

Upon termination of this Agreement by the Investor pursuant to Section 10.02 or 10.03, this Agreement shall cease to have any effect and the Investor shall not be entitled to pursue any claims under this Agreement against the Company, Parent or the Global Coordinators, including, without limitation, any claims based on any breach of any representation or warranty except for any breach that occurred prior to such termination.

 

- 229 -

 


 

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01.

Notices.

 

 

(a)

Unless otherwise notified by the relevant parties, all notices delivered hereunder shall be in writing and may be delivered by hand or given by facsimile to the following addresses:

 

 

 

If to the Company:

 

No. 12B Fuxing Road

 

Haidian District, Beijing

 

People's Republic of China

 

100814

 

 

 

If to the Parent:

 

No. 12B Fuxing Road

 

Haidian District, Beijing

 

People's Republic of China

 

100814

 

 

 

If to Investor:

 

Alcoa International (Asia) Limited

 

Room 1301

 

Admiralty Centre

 

Tower 1

 

18 Harcourt Road

 

Hong Kong

 

For the Attention of Celia Chang, Corporate Secretary

 

Telephone: (852) 2529-2333

 

 

 

If to Morgan Stanley:

 

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asia Limited

 

26th Floor, Three Exchange Square

 

Central, Hong Kong

 

Facsimile: (852) 2848-5577

 

Telephone: (852) 2848-5688

 

For the Attention of: Mr. Edward King

 

 

 

If to CICC:

 

China International Capital Corporation

 

28th Floor, China World Tower

 

No. 1 Jianguomenwei Avenue

 

Beijing 100004, China

 

Facsimile: (8610) 6505-1156

 

Telephone: (8610) 6505-1166

 

 

(b)

Any notice delivered by hand shall be deemed to have been received when physically received by the person referred to in this Section 11.01. Any notice served by facsimile machine shall be deemed to have been served on receipt of confirmation of successful transmission if (i) within one hour after the successful transmission of the facsimile, oral notice of such facsimile is provided to the addressee (whether through voice mail or actual conversation); and (ii) such transmission is followed within twenty-four (24) hours by posting a copy of such facsimile and confirmation to the addressee by mail or internationally recognized carriers.

 

 

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SECTION 11.02.

Entire Agreement.

 

 

This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersede all prior oral and written discussions, understandings and agreements with respect thereto, and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any warranties, representations, or covenants except as specifically set forth herein or therein, provided however, that nothing in this Section 11.02 shall be construed to prevent liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

SECTION 11.03.

Survival.

 

 

The warranties, representations, and covenants of the Company, the Parent and the Investor contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and closing of the Global Offering. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, and except in each case for the rights given by the Company and the Parent to the Investor set forth in Article Eight and the Agreements set forth in this Article 11, this Agreement shall terminate at the fifth anniversary of the date of this Agreement, and any and all rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall terminate upon the termination of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 11.04.

Benefit of Agreement.

 

 

Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

 

SECTION 11.05.

Governing Law.

 

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of Hong Kong, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

 

SECTION 11.06.

Dispute Resolution.

 

 

Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination ("Dispute") shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in accordance with its Securities Arbitration Rules. The language to be used in the arbitration proceedings shall be English and Chinese. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives any immunity to jurisdiction to which it may be entitled or become entitled (including without limitation sovereign immunity, immunity to pre-award attachment, post-award attachment or otherwise) in any arbitration proceedings and/or enforcement proceedings against it arising out of or based on this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

- 231 -

 


 

SECTION 11.07.

Service of Process.

 

 

(a)

Each of the Company and the Parent hereby appoints the Company at its registered address in Hong Kong (or such other person reasonably acceptable to the Investor being resident of or incorporated in Hong Kong as any of them may by notice substitute)(the "Agent") to accept service of all legal process arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and service on the Agent shall be deemed to be service on the Company and the Parent.

 

 

(b)

The Parent hereby irrevocably waives the right to claim immunity for itself or its assets from any court or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any proceedings taken for the enforcement of any determination, decision, order or award made in any such court or arbitration proceedings.

 

 

SECTION 11.08.

Counterparts.

 

 

This Agreement maybe executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

SECTION 11.09.

Headings.

 

 

The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

 

SECTION 11.10.

Severability.

 

 

If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement for the purpose of such law and the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

- 232 -

 


 

SECTION 11.11.

Effectiveness.

 

 

This Agreement shall become effective upon the approval of the board of directors of each of the Company, the Parent and the Investor.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:


 

 

 

 

Name:

Liang Zhongxiu

 

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:


 

 

 

 

Name:

Guo Shengkun

 

 

 

 

Title:

General Manager

 

 

 

 

ALCOA INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:


 

Name:

Stephen C. Lee

 

 

 

 

Title:

Attorney-in-fact

 

 

 

- 233 -

 


 

 

MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER ASIA LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:


 

Name:

Edward k King

 

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Director

 

 

 

 

CHINA INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL CORPORATIN (HONG KONG) LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:


 

Name:

FANG CHANG-Po

 

 

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

- 234 -

 


 

Schedule 1

 

Investor Shares

 

For the purpose of this Agreement, the number of Investor Shares shall be the number of Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, that equals 8.0% of the outstanding issued share capital of the Company (including the Investor Shares) following the closing of the Global Offering, including the Shares or ADSs (if any) issued or sold, as the case may be, pursuant to any exercise of the over-allotment option (the "Over-allotment Option") granted to the underwriters under the Global Offering (the "Over-allotment Shares").

 

Both the IPO Price and the exact number of Investor Shares shall be determined conclusively by the Global Coordinators, the Company and Parent. The actual number of Investor Shares will be notified to the Investor as soon as practicable after the determination of the IPO Price.

 

Appendix I

 

Form of Memorandum of Understanding

 

APPENDIX II

 

Terms and Conditions to be Reflected in Registration Rights Agreement

 

Registrable securities

(i) All H shares in the Company (or ADSs representing H shares) (Shares) issued to or purchased by the Investor in the IPO and (ii) any Shares issued to or purchased by the Investor in the future (and any securities into which such Shares may be exchanged or converted); provided, however, that such Shares shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (A) they have been sold pursuant to a registration statement, (B) they have been transferred to a non-affiliate of the Investor or (C) they have become freely transferable without restriction under Rule 144 (as evidenced by an opinion of US counsel to the Company (reasonably acceptable to the Investor)).

 

 

Demand registration

Beginning 30 months following the IPO (or such earlier date that the lock-up period expires pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Strategic Investor Subscription Agreement), the Investor shall have the right, exercisable at any time, to require the Company to file a registration statement with the SEC within 60 days that covers the Registrable Securities then outstanding; provided, however, the Investor shall not be entitled to (A) more than an aggregate of three demand registrations, (B) more than one demand registration within any nine month period and (C) any demand registration that would require an audit of the Company's financial statements for a period other than its fiscal year or as of a date other than its fiscal year end unless the Investor agrees to bear responsibility for the expenses of such audit. The registration statement for any such demand registration shall be kept effective for a minimum period of 90 days or until all the relevant Registrable Securities have been sold. Neither the Company nor any other shareholder shall be entitled to cut back the number of Registrable Securities included in any such demand registration.

 

 

Suspension periods

The Company may suspend the Investor's demand registration rights (A) for up to 90 days on no more than one occasion during any 365 day period if in the good faith judgment of the Company's Board of Directors (due to the existence of a non-public M&A or other material transaction) it would be significantly disadvantageous for the Company to permit exercise of the demand registration request, and (B) during the period beginning 10 days before and ending 90 days following the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company.

 

 

Piggyback registration

Beginning 30 months following the IPO (or such earlier date that the lock-up period expires pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Strategic Investor Subscription Agreement), whenever the Company proposes to register with the SEC any Shares (or securities convertible into or exercisable for Shares), the Investor shall be entitled by notice to the Company to include some or all of its Registrable Securities in such registration. If, in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriter, the number of securities proposed to be sold in such offering exceeds the number that may be sold successfully without affecting the price, then the securities proposed to be included in the offering shall be cut back to the appropriate level, as determined by the managing underwriter, in the following order: First: shareholders other than the Investor; second: the Investor; third: the Company.

 

 

Registration procedures

In connection with any such registration, the Company shall (i) make all customary SEC and stock exchange filings, (ii) provide the Investor with adequate copies of the prospectus, (iii) cause the delivery of comfort letters and legal opinions as are customary in registered offerings and (iv) perform such other procedures that are customary.

 

 

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Registration expenses

The Company shall pay all costs and expenses for each registration, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, any stock transfer tax or other tax imposed on the Investor by reason of the proposed sale of Registrable Securities and the fees of the Investor's legal counsel.

 

 

Holdback

The Company and the Parent shall not effect any offer, sale, distribution, registration or other transfer of Shares or A shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable for Shares or A shares (other than options issued to employees of the Company) for a period beginning 10 days before and ending 90 days following the effective date of each demand registration statement. The Parent shall be a party to the Registration Rights Agreement for purposes of this provision.

 

 

Indemnification

The Company shall indemnify the Investor and its affiliates against any losses, claims, damages, judgments, assessments, costs and liabilities, fees and expenses arising out of any untrue or misleading statement of a material fact or omission or alleged untrue or misleading statement of a material fact or omission contained in any such registration statement or prospectus.

 

 

Rule 144

The Company shall file in a timely manner any and all reports necessary to enable the Investor to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144.

 

 

Participation in underwritten registrations

If requested by the underwriters to any underwritten offering by the Investor, the Company shall cooperate and use its reasonable best efforts to enter into an underwriting agreement in order to facilitate such offering.

 

 

Assignment

The Agreement and the registration rights may be assigned to any affiliate of the Investor.

 

 

Governing law

New York.

 

 

Dispute resolution

New York courts. The Company shall submit to NY jurisdiction for this purpose.

 

 

- 236 -

 


 

Appendix II

 

PRC Opinion Matters

 

The opinion letter of Haiwen & Partners shall address the following topics:

 

(a)

The Strategic Investor Subscription Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding - opinions should cover:

 

 

 

(i)

Due authorization, execution and delivery;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Government approvals;

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Validity and enforceability - except with respect to the Registration Rights Agreement; and

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Non-contravention of articles, licenses or constituent documents and other agreements of the Company and the Parent

 

 

 

Opinions relating to the MOU will reflect the limitation on binding nature therein

 

(b)

The Investor Shares - opinions should cover:

 

 

 

(i)

No liens or encumbrances; fully paid and non-assessable

 

(ii)

Due authorization and issuance

 

(iii)

Share capital

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT 4.4

 

Land Use Rights Leasing Agreement

 

This agreement is executed in Beijing on November 5, 2001 between the following two parties:

 

Party A:

Aluminum Corporation of China, a state owned enterprise organized and legally existing under the laws of China and fully represents its subsidiary enterprises and entities (Lessor).

 

 

Party B:

Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd., a joint stock limited company organized and legally existing under the laws of China and fully represents its subsidiaries (Lessee).

 

 

Pursuant to the stipulations of the relevant state laws and the official reply to C[1998]No 145, C[2000]No 389 and C[2001 ]No 280 of the Ministry of Land and Resources, Party A agrees to lease to Party B, and Party B agrees to accept the lease from Party A, state-owned land use rights (hereinafter referred to as "land use rights"). This agreement is executed in order to clarify the rights and obligations of the Parties.

 

Article 1 General Description of Land Use Rights

 

1.1

Pursuant to the terms herein, Party A shall lease to Party B the land use rights of 453 parcels of land located in Henan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Qinghai, Shanxi and Shandong provinces, covering a total area of 58,332,184.05 square kilometers (hereinafter referred to as "leased land"). Such land use rights include allocated and granted land use rights.

 

 

1.2

In accordance with the Ministry of Land and Resources C[2001]No 280 (see Appendix 1 for details), Party A has obtained authorization to manage and lease the allocated land use rights of 405 parcels of the aforesaid land, with an aggregated area of 55664200.58 m2, and therefore may lease such land use rights to Party B.

 

 

1.3

In accordance with the Ministry of Land and Resources C[2000] No389 (see Appendix 2 for details), Party A has obtained authorization to manage and lease the allocated land use rights of 14 parcels of the aforesaid land, amounting to 1248079.47 m2, and therefore may lease such land use rights to Party B.

 

 

1.4

In accordance with the Ministry of Land and Resources C[1998] No145 (see Appendix 3 for details), Party A has obtained authorization to manage and lease the allocated land use rights of 14 parcels of the aforesaid land, covering an area of 931317.66 m2, and therefore may lease such land use rights to Party B.

 

 

1.5

Party A has acquired the land use rights of 20 parcels of granted land, covering an area of 488,586.34 m2 (see Appendix 4 for details) and desires to lease such land use rights to Party B pursuant to the terms herein.

 

 

- 238 -

 


 

Article 2 Terms of Lease

 

2.1

The Agreement shall be effective after it has been duly signed and officially sealed by authorized representatives from both Parties (tracing back to July 1, 2001). The effective term shall be 50 years upon commencing.

 

 

2.2

The term of lease of land use rights for allocated land shall be 50 years (the term of mining leases shall terminate upon expiry of the mining rights (or upon the expiry of the extended mining rights when applicable), but if the mine life of a mine expires earlier than the mining right term, the term of mining lease for such mine may expire at the same time with that of the mine life). The lease of land use rights for granted land shall terminate upon the expiry of the relevant land use rights permit. Except for mining leases of land not having been put to use, which shall commence from the date of its actual use, all such lease shall commence from July 1, 2001. The land use rights referred to in Article 1.4 shall commence from June 1, 1999.

 

 

2.3

Party B may request to renew the term of any of the leased land by giving to Party A notice in writing at least 12 months prior to termination of the relevant lease.

 

 

2.4

Party A shall, upon Party B's request to renew the lease pursuant to the terms herein and prior to the termination of the term of lease, use its best endeavours to renew the term of the land use rights of the relevant land from the relevant administrative authorities and to enter into a new land use rights leasing agreement with Party B. The rent after the renewal shall conform to the relevant state provisions or (in case of absence of such provisions) to the then market price.

 

 

2.5

The Parties agree that Party B is entitled to terminate the lease of part or all of the leased land at any time prior to the termination of the lease specified in Article 2.2, provided that it gives Party A a six months prior written notice, and that Party A shall not be liable to compensate Party B for any buildings or fixtures owned or constructed by Party B on such leased land. Without approval by Party B, Party A is not entitled to terminate the Agreement or the lease to Party B of all or part of the leased land under the terms herein.

 

 

2.6

The Parties agree that Party B may extend the area of land covered by mining leases, provided that it gives 12 months prior written notice to Party A, who shall timely lease such land to Party B, when appropriate.

 

 

Article 3 The Use of Leased Land

 

3.1

Party B shall use the leased land within the scope specified by the documents of authorization to manage the land and the Certificate of Land Use Rights obtained by Party A from land administration authorities.

 

 

3.2

Within the term of lease, should Party B wish to modify the use of any or all of the land leased, it shall give Party A a prior written notice. Party A shall respond within 30 days upon receipt of such notice whether it agrees to such modification or not. Upon Party A's consent, Party B may apply to the relevant administrative authorities for necessary approvals of such modified purposes.

 

 

3.3

Upon expiry of the mining leases, Party B shall rehabilitate the land of such mines as required by laws and regulations, and Party A agrees to assist Party B relating to rehabilitation.

 

 

- 239 -

 


 

Article 4 Rent, Adjustment and Form of Payment

 

4.1

The total annual rent payable by Party B to Party A under the Land Use Rights Leasing Agreement is around RMB 134.3 million, which shall be uniformly collected by Party A. The leased land shall be divided into parcels, each of which has a corresponding rent as is shown in Appendix 5. The amount of the rent is set according to the prevailing market price of the relevant parcel upon execution of the agreement. Within the effective term of the Agreement, the rent of the relevant parcel of land may be adjusted every three years to reflect market conditions prevalent at such time of adjustment, including current market prices, inflation or deflation, as appropriate, and such other pertinent factors as may be reasonably considered during negotiations. If there is a major adjustment to the land taxes payable in respect thereof, adjustment to the rent may be made after negotiation and agreement between the two Parties. The price after such adjustment shall be confirmed by an independent valuer to be at or lower than the market rate. Payment to the independent valuer shall be covered by Party B.

 

 

4.2

Party B shall not pay for the rent of unused mining land under lease.

 

 

4.3

The Parties agree that the total rent payable by Party B to Party A shall be reduced in accordance with the market rate should Party B terminate the lease of part of the leased land under the terms herein; whereas such rent shall be increased accordingly should Party B extend the leased land under the terms herein.

 

 

4.4

The rent under the Agreement shall be payable by Party B to Party A quarterly in arrears within ten days upon expiry of each quarter (hereinafter referred to as "date of payment"). The amount of rent payable at one time shall be 1/4 of the total annual rent. Notwithstanding the terms herein, the initial rent shall be made to Party A on the first date of payment after the Agreement goes into effect and shall be calculated as follows: annual rent/365 x the actual number of days between the effective date of the Agreement and the end of the first quarter after the Agreement goes into effect.

 

 

Article 5 Rights and Obligations of the Two Parties

 

5.1

The rights and obligations of Party A include:

 

 

 

5.1.1

Right to collect rent from Party B pursuant to the terms under the Agreement;

 

 

 

 

5.1.2

Right to supervise Party B to use the leased land in accordance with the terms under the Agreement. In the event that Party B modifies the usage of any parcel of land without prior consent by Party A, Party A has the right to recover the land use rights respecting such land.

 

 

 

 

5.1.3

Upon expiry of the Leasing Agreement and without request for renewal, Party A shall have the right to recover possession of the land use rights of the leased land without compensating Party B for any of its buildings or fixtures on the leased land.

 

 

 

 

5.1.4

Party A shall, pursuant to the terms herein, turnover to Party B the land use rights of the leased land timely and entirely.

 

 

 

 

5.1.5

Provided that Party B has acquired necessary legal approvals, Party A shall support Party B's effort in building, expanding or reconstructing perpetual or temporary constructions on the leased land.

 

 

 

 

5.1.6

During the term of lease and as Party A exercises its lawful right on the land adjacent to the leased land herein, it shall not infringe upon Party B's legal right respecting the leased land.

 

 

 

 

5.1.7

If, for public interest purposes, the government should install wires that result in crossing the greenery or other areas of the leased land, provided that such conduct has been approved by Party B, no compensation shall be payable to Party B by Party A.

 

 

 

 

5.1.8

Party A warrants that it shall not infringe upon Party B's ownership right respecting any of the buildings or fixtures by Party B on the leased land, including the latter's rights and interests regarding the possession, use and disposal of; as well as income from such buildings or fixtures.

 

 

 

 

5.1.9

Party A shall pay all land taxes, fees or statutory charges relating to the land leased hereunder.

 

 

 

 

5.1.10

Party A shall handle the state-owned land use rights lease registration procedures at relevant authorities.

 

 

 

 

5.1.11

In the event that Party A transfers to a third Party the land use rights of the granted land under lease, Party A shall guarantee that the aforesaid third Party consents to be bound by the provisions under this Agreement.

 

 

 

- 240 -

 


 

 

5.1.12

Party A shall, prior to December 31, 2001, at its own expenses, apply for the Certificate of Land Use Rights from competent land administration authorities with regard to lands that Party A only holds the Certificate of Land ownership for the time being set forth in Appendix 6. In the event that any dispute, claim, compensation, litigation, arbitration, payment, cost, fee, and expenditure incurred from such land use rights, Party A shall take the responsibility to solve them and shall compensate Party B for all losses incurred as a result.

 

 

 

 

5.1.13

Party A undertakes that it will agree when Party B wishes to transfer any buildings on the leased lands owned by Party B, it shall provide necessary assistance in accordance with the need of Party B, and under the precondition that it does not assume the land assignment fee or other cost in connection with the transfer of such land use right, Party A shall handle relevant land procedures so as to ensure the legal transfer of such buildings, including but not restricted to:

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

to transfer to the building transferee the assigned land use rights concerned;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

with regard to the authorized operational land use rights,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b1)

transfer them to assigned land use rights and transfer them to the building transferee, or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b2)

agree to allow the state to reclaim them and assign or allocate them to the building transferee.

 

 

 

 

 

5.2

The rights and obligations of Party B include:

 

 

 

5.2.1

Party B is entitled to use the leased land in accordance with the law and the terms stipulated in the Agreement.

 

 

 

 

5.2.2

When Party A intends to transfer the land use rights of the granted land under lease, it shall notify Party B, which shall be entitled to the preemptive right under identical conditions.

 

 

 

 

5.2.3

The rent shall be timely made by Party B to Party A in accordance with the terms under the Agreement.

 

 

 

 

5.2.4

Upon expiry of the lease and without request for renewal, Party B shall turnover to Party A land use rights of part or all of the leased land not subjecting to renewal.

 

 

 

 

5.2.5

Party B shall guarantee the right of way over the leased land by government authorities, police, fire control personnel, ambulance personnel and their emergent equipment and vehicle as they engage in rescue operations or official business.

 

 

 

 

5.2.6

During the term of lease, Party B shall take reasonable care of the public facilities on the leased land, and the repair of any damage thereof shall be at the expense of Party B.

 

 

 

 

5.2.7

Except for expenses to be born by Party A pursuant to provision 5.1.9, Party B shall cover all the cost incurred in the use of the leased land upon the commencement of the lease.

 

 

 

- 241 -

 


 

Article 6 Amendment and Termination of the Agreement

 

6.1

No amendment to the Agreement shall be effective without the written approval by both Parties.

 

 

6.2

The agreement shall be terminated:

 

 

 

6.2.1

upon the expiry of the Agreement, or

 

 

 

 

6.2.2

when decision on an earlier termination of the Agreement has been reached by both Parties during the effective term of the Agreement;

 

 

 

 

6.2.3

upon the verdict, ruling or decision to terminate the Agreement by the governing court or arbitration authorities, in accordance with the stipulations of laws and regulations.

 

 

 

Article 7 Representations and Warrants by the Parties

 

7.1

Party A hereby represents and warrants:

 

 

 

7.1.1

Party A is a state-owned enterprise established in accordance with the law; it possesses the status of an independent legal person and currently holds a valid business license.

 

 

 

 

7.1.2

Party A conducts its business according to law, and has never engaged in any activities beyond the approved business scope;

 

 

 

 

7.1.3

Party A has acquired all the necessary government approvals and internal authorizations required for the execution of the Agreement and the performance of all obligations under the Agreement. The person who executes the Agreement is a valid authorized representative of Party A, and the Agreement is binding on Party A upon its execution.

 

 

 

 

7.1.4

Party A's execution of the Agreement or the performance of its obligations under the Agreement do not violate any other agreement it has entered into or its Articles of Association.

 

 

 

7.2

Party B hereby represents and warrants:

 

 

 

7.2.1

Party B is a joint stock limited company established in accordance with the law; it possesses the status of an independent legal person and currently holds a valid business license.

 

 

 

 

7.2.2

Party B conducts its business according to law, and has never engaged in any activities beyond the approved business scope.

 

 

 

 

7.2.3

Party B has acquired all the necessary government approvals and internal authorizations required for the execution of the Agreement and the performance of all obligations under the Agreement. The person who executes the Agreement is a valid authorized representative of Party B, and the Agreement is binding on Party B upon its execution.

 

 

 

 

7.2.4

Party B's execution of the Agreement or the performance of its obligations under the Agreement do not violate any other agreement it has entered into or its Articles of Association.

 

 

 

- 242 -

 


 

Article 8 Performance of the Agreement

 

8.1

In the event that any transaction under the Agreement constitutes the connected transaction as defined in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the "Listing Rules"), and that such transaction, pursuant to the Listing Rules, can only be conducted unless it is exempted by the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "HKSE") or approved by the independent shareholders or complies with any other stipulations concerning connected transactions in the Listing Rules, then the acquisition of the exemption from the HKSE or the approval from the independent shareholders or the compliance with any other stipulations concerning connected transactions in the Listing Rules are the conditions precedent to the performance related to such transaction under the Agreement.

 

 

8.2

In the event that the exemption of the HKSE has conditions, the Agreement shall be performed in accordance with the conditions attached.

 

 

8.3

In the event that the exemption granted by the HKSE to a certain connected transaction expires or the exemption is retrieved or revolted, and such transaction fails to comply with the requirement of connected transactions in the Listing Rules, then the performance related to such transaction under the Agreement shall be terminated.

 

 

8.4

In the event that the performance of all transactions under the Agreement is terminated in accordance with the stipulation of Article 8.3, the Agreement shall be terminated.

 

 

8.5

In the event that the gross sum of the connected transaction may exceed the gross - exemption sum of that year approved by the HKSE (if applicable), the Parties agree that Party B shall notify the HKSE and apply to increase the gross exemption sum of that year on a timely basis, or to convene an independent shareholders meeting pursuant to the Listing Rules so as to seek the approval from independent shareholders (if applicable). Prior to the acquisition of the new exemption sum from the HKSE or the approval from the independent shareholders, the Parties agree to endeavor to limit the sum of such transaction within the gross exemption sum of that year.

 

 

Article 9 Force Majeure

 

9.1

If either Party of the Agreement is prevented from performing part or all of its obligations under this Agreement due to an event of Force Majeure (events of Force Majeure shall mean any and all events due to unforeseeable, or, even if foreseeable, unavoidable and insurmountable reasons and cannot be reasonably controlled by the affected Party. Such events shall occur after the execution of the Agreement and shall make impossible or unrealistic the performance of all or part of the Agreement (even at reasonable expenses). Such events include but are not restricted to: flood, fire, drought, storm, earthquake and other natural calamities, accidents, strike, agitation, rebellion and war (whether declared or not) and the performance or nonperformance of government departments), the performance of such obligations shall be terminated during the period of delay caused by the Force Majeure.

 

 

9.2

The Party that encounters the Force Majeure shall immediately notify the other Party in writing of the occurrence of the event, and send to the other Party, by specially designated personnel or registered airmail, within 15 days thereafter, the valid documents certifying the actual happenings and the duration of such Force Majeure. In the event that the performance of the Agreement by one Party becomes impossible or unrealistic as a result of the Force Majeure, the said Party shall exercise all its reasonable effort to eliminate or diminish the adverse impact caused by the Force Majeure thereof.

 

 

9.3

Upon the occurrence of the Force Majeure, both Parties shall immediately resolve to settle further performance of the Agreement through friendly negotiations; and upon the termination or suspension of such Force Majeure or its impact, both Parties shall timely resume their respective obligations under the provisions herein.

 

 

- 243 -

 


 

Article 10 Miscellaneous

 

10.1

Unless otherwise stipulated herein, without the written consent from the other Party, no Party shall assign all or part of its rights or obligations under the Agreement.

 

 

10.2

The Agreement constitutes all the agreements between the Parties and supersedes all oral or written agreements, Agreements, understandings and correspondences entered into by the Parties thereof.

 

 

10.3

The illegality, invalidation, or unenforcement of any provision herein does not affect the validity and enforcement of other provisions herein.

 

 

10.4

Amendment to the Agreement or its Appendixes may only be made if it is made out in a written agreement, duly signed by authorized representatives of the Parties and after the Parties have taken proper legal person actions to approve.

 

 

10.5

Unless otherwise stipulated, one Party's failed or delayed performance of the rights, authorities, or privileges under the Agreement does not constitute the abandonment of such rights, authorities or privileges, while the separate or partial performance of such rights, authorities or privileges does not repel the exercise of any other rights, authorities or privileges.

 

 

10.6

The appendixes hereto is an integral part of the Agreement and shall have the same force of law as does this Agreement, as if they have been incorporated into the Agreement.

 

 

Article 11 Notices

 

11.1

Any notice or other correspondence, to be given by one Party under the Agreement shall be written in Chinese and delivered by designated person or by registered mail to the listed address of the other Party, or by facsimile to the designated fax number of the other Party. The effective date of the notice shall be defined in accordance with the following stipulations:

 

 

 

11.1.1

Any notice to be delivered by designated person shall become effective upon the signature of the designated person of the other Party upon receipt of the notice.

 

 

 

 

11.1.2

Any notice to be delivered by registered mail shall become effective upon the seventh day after the date of its delivery (to be determined according to the postmark), (or, upon the next business day after the seventh day should the latter be a Saturday, Sunday or other legal holidays).

 

 

 

 

11.1.3

Any notice to be delivered by facsimile shall be deemed to have been delivered upon completion of transmission of facsimile, and that the delivering Party shall produce the printed report of the fax machine respecting the sent document so as to certify successful delivery of the said document to the other Party.

 

 

 

- 244 -

 


 

11.2

The corresponding addresses of both Parties are as follows:

 

 

 

Party A: Aluminum Corporation of China
Address: No 12B, Fuxing Rd, Beijing
Post Code: 100814
Facsimile: 63963806

 

 

 

Party B: Aluminum Corporation of China Limited
Address: No 12B, Fuxing Rd, Beijing
Post Code: 100814
Facsimile: 88086974

 

 

 

In the event that any Party changes its corresponding address, it shall immediately notify the other Party in writing according to the terms herein.

 

 

Article 12 Applicable Laws and Resolution of Dispute

 

12.1

Laws of the People's Republic of China shall be applicable to the Agreement, which shall be interpreted by such laws.

 

 

12.2

In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Parties shall attempt in the first instance to resolve such dispute through friendly consultations. Should such consultations fail, either Party may submit the dispute to the Arbitration Commission of Beijing (or its successor) to be handled in accordance with the then applicable rules of such arbitration commission. The award of the arbitrators shall in final and binding to both Parties.

 

 

- 245 -

 


 

Article 13 Special Provisions:

 

13.1

The Agreement shall be written in Chinese.

 

 

13.2

The Agreement shall be made in six copies, each Party shall have three copies, and each copy shall have the same binding effect.

 

 

Aluminum Corporation of China (Seal)

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Seal)

 

 

Authorized Representative (Signature)

Authorized Representative (Signature)

 

 

Guo Shengkun

Xiong Weiping

 

 

Appendix 1:

Ministry of Land and Resources, C[2001]No 280, Reply to Land Evaluation Report and Approval for Disposal of Land Assets in Connection with Restructuring of Aluminum Corporation of China

Appendix 2:

Ministry of Land and Resources, C[2000]No 389, Reply to Confirmation of Land Evaluation and Disposal of Land Assets of Aluminum Corporation of Qinghai Ltd.

Appendix 3:

Ministry of Land and Resources, C[1998]No 145, Reply to Confirmation of Land Evaluation and Disposal of Land Assets in Connection with Restructuring of Aluminum Corporation of Shandong

 

- 246 -

 


 

Appendix 4

Schedule of Assigned Land Use Rights Proposed to be Leased by Party A to Party B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purpose

Set Purpose

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. of

 

on the

on the

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land Use

Location of

Evaluation

Evaluation

Term of

 

No.

Land User

No. of Land

Name of Land

Certificate

the Land

Date

Date

Land Use (Y)

Area (M2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shandong

 

1

Aluminum Smelter of

L-Z-C 001

Current

ZGYZ (2000)

South Gongye

Industry

Industry

24.42

5426.6

 

    Shandong Aluminum

 

Adjustment

No. A01324

Rd., Nanding

 

 

 

 

 

    Corporation

 

Station of the

 

Township,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum

 

Zhangdian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smelter

 

District

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

Proposed Office Building

L-Z-C 002

Proposed Office

ZGYZ (2000)

South Gongye

Industry

Industry

24.92

8993.7

 

    of the Third Aluminum

 

Building of the

No. A01325

Rd., Nanding

 

 

 

 

 

    Smelter of Shandong

 

Third Aluminum

 

Township,

 

 

 

 

 

    Aluminum Corporation

 

Smelter

 

Zhangdian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

Shandong Aluminum

L-Z-C 003

Science and

ZGYZ (2001)

East of

Industry

Industry

49.67

19812.67

 

    Corporation

 

Technology

No. F00009

Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zone

 

Zone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34232.97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanxi

 

4

Shanxi Jinxin Aluminum

J-J 01

Jinxin

JGJZ (1997)

Angu

Industry

Industry

36.48

33711.09

 

    Company, Ltd.

 

Aluminum Co.

No. 31081333

Township,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiang County,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanxi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

Shanxi Longmen

J-H C 01

Longmen

HGYZ (2000)

No. 9, North

Industry

Industry

50

6600

 

    Aluminum Plant

 

Aluminum

No.03020062-(1)

Road, Shanxi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant (1)

 

Aluminum Plant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

Shanxi Longmen

J-H C 02

Longmen

HGYZ (2000)

No. 9 North

Industry

Industry

50

49733

 

    Aluminum Plant

 

Aluminum

No.03020062-(2)

Road, Shanxi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant (2)

 

Aluminum Plant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

Hejin Hedong Carbon

J-H C 03

Hedong Carbon

HGYZ (2000)

East End No. 1

Industry

Industry

50

36940

 

    Plant

 

Plant

No. 03010061

Rd. Aluminum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sub-total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

126984.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 247 -

 


 

Guangxi

 

8

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 01

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Gu'an Village,

Industry

Industry

8

54234.88

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003200

Taigu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Township

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 02

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang Village,

Industry

Industry

8

38533.57

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003201

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 03

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang Village,

Industry

Industry

8

11760.26

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003202

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 04

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang Village,

Industry

Industry

8

21758.7

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003206

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 05

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang Village,

Industry

Industry

8

61620.66

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003207

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 06

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang, Village,

Industry

Industry

8

63944.33

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003210

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 07

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang Village,

Industry

Industry

8

4265.89

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003212

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 08

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang Village,

Industry

Industry

8

21177.83

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003214

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 09

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang Village,

Industry

Industry

8

25936.49

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003215

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 10

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang Village,

Industry

Industry

8

5442.5

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003216

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 11

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang Village,

Industry

Industry

8

7151.72

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003220

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

Pingguo Aluminum

G-P-C 12

Mine

PGYZ (2001)

Natang, Village,

Industry

Industry

8

4500.45

 

    Company

 

 

No. 010003221

Chengguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sub-Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

320327.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henan

 

20

Mine Company of China

Y-K-C 01

Machinery

XGYZ (1995)

West

Industry

Industry

45

7042

 

    Great Wall

 

Plant of

No.0032

Shangwang

 

 

 

 

 

    Aluminum

 

the Mine

 

Rd., Jintan

 

 

 

 

 

    Corporation

 

Company

 

Market,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wangcun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xingyang City

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sub-Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7042

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

488586.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 248 -

 


 

Appendix 5:

Schedule of the Distribution of Rent for Leased

Land of Aluminum Corporation of China

 

 

 

 

 

The Averge

 

 

 

 

Rent Per Parcel

 

Total Area of

Total

 

for Actually

 

Actually Leased

Land Value

Annual Rent

Leased Land

Entity

Land (M2)

(10, 000 yuan)

(10, 000 yuan)

(yuan/m2.year)

 

 

 

 

 

Shandong Aluminum Corporation

3838839.75

63461.14

1265.98

3.298

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

9455869.99

115926.55

2323.79

2.457

Guizhou Aluminum Complex

15858340.19

185190.16

3703.8

2.336

Shanxi Aluminum Plant

15097219.84

166335.08

3247.81

2.203

Pinguo Aluminum Company

7416860.76

82869.17

1646.23

2.151

Qinghai Aluminum Plant

1248079.47

14317.81

254.2

2.037

Zhongzhou Aluminum Plant

5193238.81

45720.12

921.2

1.774

Zhengzhou Light Metal Research Institute

223735.29

3385.05

68.23

3.05

Total

58332184.1

677205.11

13431.24

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 6:

Schedule of Land Use Rights with Only Land Ownership Certificates Held

 

 

No. of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land Ownership

 

Area of Land

 

 

Validity Term of

No.

Certificate

Name of Owner

Use Right (M2)

 

Purpose

the Certificate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 01

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

194809.83

 

Industrial

2001.8.20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

Warehousing (supply

 

 

 

 

 

 

and distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

materials warehouse)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 02

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

14150.66

 

Industry (Waste Water

2001.8.20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

Disposal Station)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 03

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

29237.70

 

Industry (Alumina

2001.8.20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

Water Recycling

 

 

 

 

 

 

System)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 04

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

1167981.55

 

Industry (Production

2001.8.20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

Zone of the Main Plant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 05

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

5764.02

 

Industry (Office

2001.8.20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

Building)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 06

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

40351.82

 

Industry (Office Zone

2001.8.20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

of the Company)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 07

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

1592.35

 

Industry (Office

2001.8.20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

Building of Financial,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supply and Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dept.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 08

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

4792.20

 

Industry (Office

2001.8.20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

Building of Associate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bauxite)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 09

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

9467.90

 

Industry (Office

2001-8-20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

Building of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zhangqinggang Mine)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

ZSQZ NO. (2001) 10

China Great Wall Aluminum Corporation

11876.74

 

Imdustry (Office

2001.8.20-2001.12.31

 

 

 

 

 

Building of Xiaoguan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bauxite)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

1480024.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 249 -

 


 

EXHIBIT 4.5

 

JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT

BETWEEN

JIAOZUO COAL (GROUP) CO., LTD

AND

ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED

IN RESPECT OF

ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF JIAOZUO COAL GROUP ZHAOGU ENERGY CORPORATION CO., LTD

 

CONTENTS

 

Article1

General Provisions

 

 

Article2

Parties to the Contract

 

 

Article3

Company Name, Business Scope and Registered Capital

 

 

Article4

Agreement on Mining Rights for Zhaogu No. 1 Mine

 

 

Article5

Rights and Obligations of Parties

 

 

Article6

General Meeting

 

 

Article7

Board of Directors

 

 

Article8

Supervisory Committee

 

 

Article9

Managers

 

 

Article10

Agreement on the Employees of the Company

 

 

Article11

Agreement on the Relationship between the Company and its Shareholders

 

 

Article12

Project Construction and Operation Management

 

 

Article13

Financial Affairs and Accounting

 

 

Article14

Termination and Liquidation of Joint Venture

 

 

Article15

Modification and Cancellation of the Contract and Transfer of Contribution

 

 

Article16

Formulation of the Articles of Association

 

 

Article17

Liability for Breach of Contract

 

 

Article18

Settlement of Dispute

 

 

Article19

Effectiveness of the Contract and Miscellaneous Provisions

 

 

- 250 -

 


 

Article 1

General Provisions

 

 

In accordance with Contract Law of the People's Republic of China, Company Law of the People's Republic of China and other relevant laws and regulations, Jiaozuo Coal (Group) Co. Ltd (referred to as "Party A") and Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (referred to as "Party B"), adhering to the principles of sincere cooperation, equality and mutual benefit and targeting for mutual development and "win-win" achievement, have agreed to establish a joint venture "Jiaozuo Coal Group Zhaogu Energy Co., Ltd" (temporary name, hereinafter referred to as the "Company") to construct and operate Zhaogu No. 1 mine project in Huixian, Henan. This contract is made to protect the legal rights and interests of, to clearly define the rights and obligations of, and to regulate the conducts of, parties herein. Parties herein shall comply with the contract.

 

Article 2

Parties to the Contract

 

 

2.1

Full Name of Party A: Jiaozuo Coal (Group) Co., Ltd

 

 

 

Legal address: No. 239 Jiefangzhong Road, Jiaozuo City, Henan

 

 

 

Legal representative: Du Gonghui; Title: Chairman.

 

 

2.2

Full Name of Party B: Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

 

 

 

Legal address: No. 12B Fuxing Road, Beijing

 

 

 

Legal representative: Guo Shengkun; Title: Chairman.

 

 

Article 3

Company Name, Business Scope, and Registered Capital of the Company

 

 

3.1

Company name: Jiaozuo Coal Group Zhaogu Energy Corporation Co., Ltd. (temporary name, hereinafter "the Company")

 

 

 

Company Address: Huxian City, Henan.

 

 

3.2

The Company is an independent legal person with limited liability. Both Party A and Party B are shareholders of the Company, and shall be liable to the Company to the extent of their contributions to the registered capital.

 

 

 

The company shall operate its own business, enjoy earnings and bear losses by itself, adopt independent accounting and be liable to its creditors to the extent of its assets.

 

 

3.3

Business Scope: coal mining, washing, further processing and selling, generation and sales of electricity.{

 

 

3.4

The Company's registered capital shall be RMB150,000,000. Of which, Party A shall contribute RMB105,000,000 (accounting for 70% share of the Company) in cash while Party B shall contribute RMB45,000,000 (accounting for 30% share of the Company) in cash.

 

 

3.5

Ways and Schedule of Contribution:

 

 

 

Party A and Party B agreed that Party A shall contribute its mining rights for Zhaogu No. 1 mine, as appraised by a qualified intermediary institution recognized by parties herein, and cash to the Company, while Party B shall contribute by cash.

 

 

 

The first payment of the capital contribution shall be transferred into the Company's account in full by parties herein, according to their respective contributions to the registered capital, within a month after the signing of this contract; The second capital contribution shall be payable before 15 February 2005. Party A shall contribute its mining rights for Zhaogu No. 1 mine, as appraised by a qualified intermediary institution recognized by parties herein, to the Company, and shall be deemed paid upon the mining rights being transferred to the Company, while Party B shall transferred cash ( whose percentage shall be calculated according to the percentage of the valuation of mining rights to contribution of Party A ) into the account of the Company.

 

 

 

In the event that any Party fails to make its capital contribution on time, such Party shall be deemed to waive its rights as a shareholder. Should the capital contribution be not fully made by a Party, such Party shall enjoy its rights as a shareholder to the extent of its actual capital contribution.

 

 

3.6

Gap between the total amounts needed for project construction and capital contributions from both parties shall be financed by way of loans by the Company, and Party A and Party B shall provide guarantee according to their capital contribution percentage.

 

 

3.7

Party A and Party B may not withdraw their capital contribution upon the registration of the Company. The Company may not increase or decrease its registered capital unless legal procedures are performed.

 

 

3.8

Term of the Joint venture: 50 years.

 

 

- 251 -

 


 

Article 4

Agreement on Mining Rights for Zhaogu No. 1 Mine

 

 

Party A, as the owner of the mining rights of Zhaogu No. 1 Mine, owns complete mineral exploration rights and mining rights at present, undertakes and guarantee that the mining rights is legally intact.

 

Party A make its capital contribution in the form of the mining rights of Zhaogu No. 1 Mine, the value of which shall be in compliance with the valuation procedures as specified by laws of the State, and be appraised by a qualified intermediary institution recognised by both parties.

 

The transfer agreement on the mining rights shall be entered into by the Company and Party A within 15 days subsequent to the establishment of the Company, and Party A shall ensure the mining rights will be transferred to the Company within six months. As the property of the Company, the mining rights shall be exercised by the Company, and its shareholders may not interfere.

 

Article 5

Rights and Obligations of Parties

 

 

5.1

Rights and Obligations of Party A:

 

 

 

(1)

to inject capital into the Company according to the proportion, time and amount of investment as prescribed by the contract upon signing of this contract;

 

 

 

 

(2)

to appoint members of the Board and the Supervisory Committee on a timely manner in accordance with the terms of this contract and the requirements of the Articles of Association;

 

 

 

 

(3)

to create favourable external conditions for the construction of the Company's projects and coordinate relationships with local government and relevant authorities, and finalize the preferential policies committed by local government.

 

 

 

 

(4)

to be responsible for matters including registration of the Company;

 

 

 

 

(5)

to legally acquire earnings and bear risks;

 

 

 

 

(6)

to exercise legally the rights conferred by laws and the Articles of Association.

 

 

 

 

(7)

to be responsible for formalities approval for Zhaogu No. 1 Mine project.

 

 

 

- 252 -

 


 

5.2

Rights and obligations of Party B:

 

 

 

(1)

to inject capital into the Company according to the proportion, time and amount of investment as prescribed by the contract upon signing of this contract;

 

 

 

 

(2)

to appoint members of the Board and the Supervisory Committee in accordance with the terms of this contract and the requirements of the Articles of Association;

 

 

 

 

(3)

to assist the Company with matters including registration;

 

 

 

 

(4)

to arrange actively the coal selling market for the Company.

 

 

 

 

(5)

to legally acquire earnings and bear risks;

 

 

 

 

(6)

to exercise legally the rights conferred by laws and the Articles of Association.

 

 

 

Article 6

General Meeting

 

 

6.1

The general meeting consisting of all shareholders of the Company, is the supreme authority of the Company and shall exercise its powers in accordance with law.

 

 

6.2

The general meeting may exercise the following functions and powers:

 

 

 

(1)

to decide the Company's operational guidelines and investment schemes;

 

 

 

 

(2)

to confirm or replace the directors appointed by Parties herein and decide on matters relating to remuneration of directors;

 

 

 

 

(3)

to confirm or replace the supervisors appointed by Parties herein and decide on matters relating to remuneration of supervisors;

 

 

 

 

(4)

to consider and approve the report of the Board of Directors;

 

 

 

 

(5)

to consider and approve the report of the Supervisory Committee;

 

 

 

 

(6)

to consider and approve the Company's proposed annual preliminary and final financial budgets;

 

 

 

 

(7)

to consider and approve the Company's profit distribution plan and plan for recovery of losses;

 

 

 

 

(8)

to resolve on increases or reduction in the Company's registered capital;

 

 

 

 

(9)

to resolve the issue of corporate bonds;

 

 

 

 

(10)

to resolve on the transfer of investment by shareholders to people other than shareholders

 

 

 

 

(11)

to resolve on matters such as merger, division, change in Company form, dissolution and liquidation of the Company;

 

 

 

 

(12)

to amend the articles of association.

 

 

 

- 253 -

 


 

6.3

Resolutions made by the general meeting in relation to the increase or decrease of registered capital, merger, division, dissolution and change in Company form, material investment exceeding RMB 50 million, revision of the Articles of Associations, shall be passed by three-quarters of the voting rights represented by the shareholders.

 

 

6.4

The first general meeting shall be convened and chaired by Part A and exercise its powers in accordance with the Company Law.

 

 

6.5

The general meetings comprise regular meetings and extraordinary meetings.

 

 

 

The regular meetings shall be convened on schedule in compliance with the Articles of Association of the Company. When proposed by the shareholders representing more than one-quarters of the voting rights or by more than one-third of directors, an extraordinary meeting may be held.

 

 

 

The general meeting shall be convened by the Board and shall be chaired by the Chairman, or by vice-chairman or other directors appointed by the Chairman should the Chairman be not able to perform his duty due to special reasons.

 

 

6.6

Notice of the general meeting shall be delivered in written to all shareholders 15 days prior to date of the meeting.

 

 

 

Detailed minutes shall be prepared for the matters put to the meeting for consideration, on which shareholders present at the meeting shall sign.

 

 

Article 7

Board of Directors

 

 

7.1

The Company shall establish the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of 7 directors, 5 of whom shall be appointed by Party A and 2 of whom shall be appointed by Party B.

 

 

 

The board of directors shall have one Chairman and one vice-chairman. A director appointed by Party A shall serve as the Chairman of the Board and a director appointed by Party B shall serve as Vice Chairman of the Board.

 

 

 

The chairman of the Board is the legal representative of the Company.

 

 

7.2

All Directors shall be appointed for a term of three years, renewable upon reappointment by the Party originally appointing him. A director may be changed at the pleasure of the Party that appointed him, on the condition that a written letter in relation to the changes of director is presented to the general meeting.

 

 

 

Prior to the maturity of his term, a director shall not be removed without sake from his office by the general meeting.

 

 

7.3

The Board shall report to general meetings and exercise the following powers:

 

 

 

(1)

to convene shareholders' general meetings and report its work to the shareholders' general meeting;

 

 

 

 

(2)

to implement the resolutions of shareholders' general meetings;

 

 

 

 

(3)

to decide on the Company's business plans and investment plans;

 

 

 

 

(4)

to formulate the Company's proposed annual preliminary and final financial budgets;

 

 

 

 

(5)

to formulate the Company's profit distribution plan and plan for recovery of losses;

 

 

 

 

(6)

to formulate the proposals concerning increase or reduction of registered capital of the Company;

 

 

 

 

(7)

to draw up plans for the merger, division, change in Company form, and dissolution of the Company;

 

 

 

 

(8)

to decide on the establishment of the Company's internal management structure;

 

 

 

 

(9)

to appoint or dismiss the Company's general manager, and pursuant to the general manager's nominations to appoint or dismiss the deputy manager and general accountant of the Company and decide on their remuneration, to evaluate and assess the performance of mangers;

 

 

 

 

(10)

to formulate the Company's basic management system.

 

 

 

 

(11)

to review and approve the proposals formulated by the general manager on internal management structures, management models, personnel allocation and remuneration system.

 

 

 

- 254 -

 


 

 

The Board meeting shall be convened and presided by the Chairman. Should the Chairman be not able to perform his duty due to special reasons, the Vice Chairman or any other director appointed by the Chairman shall convene and preside the meeting on his behalf.

 

 

 

A ten (10) days' notice convening the board meeting shall be given to notify all directors of the matters proposed to be considered and the date and place of the meeting.

 

 

 

The Board meeting shall be convened once a year. When proposed by more than one-third of the directors, an extraordinary meeting of the Board may be held.

 

 

 

Where a director fails to be present, he may appoint in writing other director to attend the meeting on his/her behalf. In the event that a director fails to be present and appoint other director/person to attend on his/her behalf, a waiver shall be deemed. A Board meeting may be held upon the presence of two-thirds or more of directors.

 

 

 

Minutes shall be kept for the resolutions at the Board meetings. Directors attending the meetings shall sign the minutes. Minutes shall be filed by the Company for directors' reference.

 

 

 

Resolutions of the Board meetings shall be passed by two-thirds or more of its members. Each director has a ballot of voting right.

 

 

 

Resolutions of the Board meetings on Personnel Allocation, remuneration system and the material disposal of assets exceeding RMB2 million shall be passed by three-thirds or more of the directors.

 

 

Article 8

Supervisory Committee

 

 

The Company shall set up the Supervisory Committee which shall consist of three supervisors, including one staff representative and two supervisors appointed by Party A and Party B respectively. The convener of the Supervisory Committee shall be assumed by the supervisor appointed by Party A with a term of 3 years.

 

The Supervisory Committee shall exercise the following powers:

 

(1)

to examine the Company's financial situation;

 

 

(2)

to examine whether the directors and general manager(s) act in violation of the laws, administrative regulations, or Articles of Association during their terms of office;

 

 

(3)

to demand rectification from a director and the general manager when the acts of such persons are harmful to the Company's interest;

 

 

(4)

to propose the convening of an extraordinary general meeting;

 

 

(5)

to exercise other powers specified in the Articles of Association.

 

 

Members of the Supervisory Committee shall be in attendance at meetings of the Board.

 

- 255 -

 


 

Article 9

Managers

 

 

9.1

The responsibility system of general manager under the leadership of the Board shall be adopted by the Company for its operation and management. The general manager shall be responsible for the management and daily operation of the Company. The general manager shall be appointed by Party A and employed by the Board.

 

 

 

The Company shall have executive deputy general manager(s), deputy general manager(s) and chief accountant. The chief accountant shall be appointed by Party B. The aforesaid personnel shall be nominated by general manager and shall be appointed or removed by the Board of Directors.

 

 

9.2

The general manager shall report to the Board and exercise the following powers:

 

 

 

(1)

to preside over the production, operation and management of the Company and to implement resolutions of the Board;

 

 

 

 

(2)

to manage in full power the safety of mines and power plants.

 

 

 

 

(3)

to organise the implementation of the Company's annual business plan and investment plan;

 

 

 

 

(4)

to prepare structural plan for the Company's internal management, the proposals on management mode and personnel allocation;

 

 

 

 

(5)

to formulate the Company's basic management system;

 

 

 

 

(6)

to formulate basic rules and regulations for the Company;

 

 

 

 

(7)

to propose to the Board for the appointment or dismissal of the Company's deputy general manager(s), chief accountant and the principals of secondary units;

 

 

 

 

(8)

to appoint or dismiss an employee and arrange his/her duties and to impose a reward or punishment to the employees of the Company, excluding deputy general managers and the chief accountant;

 

 

 

 

(9)

to exercise other powers conferred by the Articles of Association and the Board.

 

 

 

 

The general manager shall be in attendance at meetings of the Board.

 

 

 

The chief accountant shall report to the general manager and the Board, and exercise the following powers:

 

 

 

The chief accountant shall be responsible for financial and accounting works of the Company and shall organize the comprehensive economic accounting and carry out economic responsibility system; and shall be responsible for auditing works and the inspection and examination of financial income/expense and accounts. The chief accountant shall report to general manager and the Board.

 

 

- 256 -

 


 

Article 10

Agreement on the Employees of the Company

 

 

10.1

Labour contract system shall be applied to all employees of the Company.

 

 

 

Except for the general manager, executive deputy general manager, vice general manager, and the chief accountant who shall be appointed or dismissed by the Board, other employees of the Company shall be employed or dismissed by the general manager.

 

 

10.2

Personnel allocation system shall be adopted for improving the efficiency. The number of staff shall not exceed the designed personnel allocation. In principle, the Company may employ the existing staff of Party A in priority.

 

 

Article 11

Agreement on the Relationship between the Company and its Shareholders

 

 

The Company is a limited liability company with independent legal person status. The Company shall operate independently, enjoy profits and bear losses by itself, adopt independent accounting and be liable to its creditors to the extent of its assets. Shareholder of the Company shall enjoy the rights and perform the obligations as stipulated by the state and shall not charge any management fee or any other fees to be borne by the Company by any excuses.

 

Article 12

Project Construction and Operation Management

 

 

12.1

Project construction shall be fully in compliance with the stipulations of the State. Bidding system, contract system and supervision system shall be adopted.

 

 

 

Equipments shall be purchased by bid invitation and tendering methods. In respect of project construction, the construction company shall be selected on the basis of bid invitation and tendering and supervision system shall be carried out during the construction.

 

 

12.2

The parties to the contract agree to engage the general manager to take charge of production, operation and safety management, provided that the legal rights and interests of parties herein are guaranteed.

 

 

- 257 -

 


 

Article 13

Financial Affairs and Accounting

 

 

13.1

The Company shall establish its financial and accounting system in accordance with laws and regulations including Accounting Law of PRC, General Rules on Enterprise Finance, Enterprise Accounting Standards (Enterprise Accounting System) and provisions of financial regulatory departments under the State Council as well as relevant provisions in the industry.

 

 

13.2

The Company shall pay its taxes in strict accordance with the taxation laws and regulations of the State.

 

 

13.3

The Company shall, within three months after ending of each accounting year, prepare its annual financial report, which shall be examined and verified as provided by law.

 

 

13.4

The Company shall send the financial report to all investors and relevant authorities within the period as specified by the Articles of Association.

 

 

13.5

Dividend actually distributed for every accounting year shall not be less than 35% of net profit after tax.

 

 

13.6

Any investment party shall be entitled to make reasonable demands, and at its own expense, appoint CPAs to audit the accounts of the Company on behalf of such party.

 

 

Article 14

Termination and Liquidation of Joint Venture

 

 

The Company shall handle the matters concerning the termination of the joint venture and liquidation in accordance with relevant regulations of the State under the following situations:

 

(1)

termination of the joint venture upon the expiration of the term;

 

 

(2)

bankruptcy;

 

 

(3)

the general meeting resolves to dissolve the Company;

 

 

(4)

dissolution is necessary as a result of a merger or demerger of the Company;

 

 

(5)

the Company is lawfully ordered to close down due to its violation against laws or administrative regulations;

 

 

(6)

the Company cannot continue its operation arising from shareholders' no-performance of this contract and the Articles of Association.

 

 

- 258 -

 


 

Article 15

Modification and Cancellation of the Contract and Transfer of Contribution

 

 

15.1

The modification and cancellation of the contract shall be agreed upon by parties herein through consultation with a written agreement being signed.

 

 

15.2

This contract shall be modified or cancelled according to the relevant laws upon the occurrence as follows:

 

 

 

(1)

This contract cannot be performed, in whole or part, due to force majeure or accidents;

 

 

 

 

(2)

The performance of this contract becomes unnecessary or impossible due to breach of contract by any party to this contract.

 

 

 

15.3

Where one party to this contract suffers losses due to modification or cancellation of this contract, the responsible party shall compensate unless otherwise specified by this contract and exempted by the law.

 

 

15.4

Should a party to this contract be subject to merger, division, name changing, the new firm shall perform the obligations and shall be entitled to due rights under this contract; in the event that a party to this contract be revoked, the successive unit shall assume the obligations and due rights under this contract.

 

 

15.5

Shareholders can transfer their contributions, in whole or part, to each other.

 

 

In the event hat a shareholder transfers his contribution to the person other than shareholders, it shall be subject to the approval by more than half of all the shareholders. Any shareholder against the transfer shall purchase the contribution to be transferred; otherwise, it shall be deemed to agreeing the transfer.

 

Other shareholders shall have pre-emptive rights to the contribution as agreed by shareholders under the same terms.

 

In the event that a shareholder transfer his interest in the Company by the aforesaid way, relevant transferee shall make written statement and agree to be bound by all terms under this contract, the Articles of Association and relevant agreements. Should the transfer be subject to approval by relevant regulatory authorities, it shall come into force subsequent to the approval.

 

Article 16

Formulation of Articles of Association

 

 

16.1

The Articles of Association shall be prepared within fourteen days upon effectiveness of this contract.

 

 

16.2

The Articles of Association shall be formulated in accordance with the Company Law of the People's Republic of China, this contract, relevant laws, regulations and judicial interpretation to protect legal interest of parties herein.

 

 

- 259 -

 


 

Article 17

Liability for Breach of Contract

 

 

17.1

In the event that any party fails to make its capital contribution as scheduled, in whole or in part, in accordance with the provisions of this Contract, such Party shall, pay the outstanding amount within one month, and be liable to pay 0.05% interest per day on the unpaid amount from the time due until the full payment.

 

 

 

Parties who fail to pay or pay off within one month from the time due, shall be deemed as breach of contract and waiver of all rights under this contract and quit from the Company. The breaching party shall pay the penalty accounting for 5% of its total capital contribution to the performing party.

 

 

17.2

Party A shall ensure the mining rights for Zhaogu No. 1 Mine (whether obtained through transfer or other ways) intact, and the mining rights shall, subsequent to establishment of the Company, be transferred to the Company and transfer procedures shall be handled as specified by this contract and transfer agreement. Otherwise, Party A shall pay 0.05% interest per day from the time due on the amount of the transfer paid to the State when obtaining the mining rights. Party A shall, perform the transfer procedures according to this contract within the period as agreed otherwise by both parties. In addition, all losses arising out of it (including but not limited to obstruction of the mine construction or inability to put into normal production, litigation costs, attorney fees, accountant fees) shall be at the expense of Party A.

 

 

17.3

A party shall be deemed as breach of contract in the case that such party fails to perform other obligations besides capital contribution as specified by this contract and Articles of Association and fails to correct within 30 days after receiving the written notice from the Company or the other party (except force majeure as stated in Article 17.4). The breaching party shall bear the direct financial loss suffered by the other party arising from such breach of contract.

 

 

17.4

Should any party to this contract fails to perform the contract due to force majeure (i.e. force majeure as specified by the law, including but not limited to, unpredictable, inevitable and insuperable accidents such as earthquake, storm, flood), it shall promptly inform the other Parties in writing of the reasons why this contract cannot be performed, in whole or part, or need to be postponed. Upon furnishing legal proof, such party shall be allowed a postponed performance, part performance or non-performance and exempt from all or part of the liabilities for breach of contract depending on the actual situations.

 

 

17.5

Should any party to this contract fail to perform fully the contract due to force majeure, such party shall proactively take measures to minimize the financial losses to the Company and other parties. Where the Company and the other party incurred further loss due to the party's failure to adoption of active and effective measures, such party shall bear compensation liability to the further loss.

 

 

Article 18

Settlement of Dispute

 

 

18.1

Any disputes arising from the performance of this contract shall be settled between Party A and Party B through friendly consultations. In the event that no settlement to the disputes can be reached between both parties through such consultations, party as litigant may lodge a lawsuit to the local People's Court.

 

 

18.2

This contract shall be performed on a continuous manner, upon the occurrence of disputes and during the course of dispute resolution.

 

 

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Article 19

Effectiveness of the Contract and Miscellaneous Provisions

 

 

19.1

Upon the commencement of the newly-built mine, all fine coal produced shall be supplied to Party B and all lump coal shall be supplied, in the first priority, to the parties who have contributed capitals, at prices not higher than the most preferential long-term contract coal price enjoyed by the Company and Party A.

 

 

19.2

In the event that total project investment in feasibility study report exceeds 10% of that in pre-feasibility study report, Party B shall be entitled to quit from the joint venture contract.

 

 

19.3

This contract shall come into effect upon signatures by legal representatives of, and seals by, Party A and Party B. Originals shall be held in sextuplicate, each party shall preserve two originals. The established Company shall hold two originals and several copies.

 

 

19.4

Matters not mentioned herein will be discussed separately by both parties.

 

 

Party A:

Party B:

 

 

Jiaozuo Coal (Group) Co. Ltd

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

 

 

Signature by Legal representative or authorized proxy:

Signature by Legal representative or authorized proxy:

 

 

Contact : Lv Zhenping

Contact: Liu Jianxin

 

 

Address: No 239, Jiefangzhong Road , Jiaozuo City

Address: B12, Fuxing Road, Beijing

 

 

Tel:0391-3531006

Tel:0391-3502616

 

 

Postcode:454002

Postcode:100814

 

 

Date:

Date:

 

 

Notes: Basic information on Zhaogu No. 1 Mine

 

Mining Range and Conditions

 

Zhaogu mining area, locating in the east of Jiaozuo Coal Field and at the south foot of Taihangshan Mountain, is jointly governed by Huixian city and Xinxiang county. It is 37 kilometers southeastward away from Xinxiang city. Mine field of Zhaogu No. 1 Mine starts from F15 fault in the northwest and stops at F17 fault in the east and southeast; starts from outcrop of =1 coal seam in the north and stops at western section of F20 fault and F17 fault in the south. It's is 2.5-5km length with tilt width of 10km and coal field area is approximately 47.74 km2 .Total coal reserve of =1 is 386,780,000 tons with a recoverable reserve of 199,280,000 tons. Zhaogu No. 1 Mine will develop =1 coal seam whose average thickness is 5.91m, which belongs to No 3 high quality anthracite with low and medium ash, specially low sulphur, low- phosphorus and high calorific value. The coal seam , with tilt angle ranges 2o~4o, little changes in coal thickness, very stale occurrence and simple structure, is stable high seam of nearly level development. The coal seam is featured with middle geologic structure and hydrogeological condition, low gas, being hard for spontaneous combustion, normal earth temperature, coal dust without explosiveness. Therefore, the technological requirements for mining are simple.

 

 

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Construction Scale

 

The proposed construction scale of Zhaogu No. 1 Mine is 240,000,000 tons per year and designed service life is 59.3 years, based on Zhaogu exploration area's recoverable reserve and geologic structure.

 

Main Construction Contents

 

The coal mine, with 559m in depth, is designed to be vertical shaft, single horizontal, up and down hill exploit with wellhead in the center of mine field. There will be three shafts: main shaft, auxiliary shaft and central ventilation shaft, whose net diameters are 5m, 6.5m and 5m respectively. Initial and late ventilating methods adopted are retrograde ventilation and central separating ventilation style respectively. And west side airshaft will be built in late phase. Transport tunnel is horizontally arranged down tilt direction of coal seam with dip angle 2o~4o in normal segment. The whole coal mine ensures a production capacity of 2.4Mt/a through two mining fields and two fully-mechanized faces. First mining area is arranged at the two sides of the protection pillar in Industrial Square. Main coal transportation and auxiliary transportation make use of belt conveyor and colloid sheath cog trapped rail vehicle respectively. A 110kv transformer substation will be built on the ground of coal mine with its power supply from Ligu transformer substation of Jiaozuo Coal Mining Group Corporation Ltd and Fengying 2x50MW Power Plant through two 110KV transmission lines to coal mine industrial square. Full heavy medium-flotation method will be adopted during the construction of a coal preparation plant of the same scale for auxiliary purpose, realizing feed cleaning for all raw coals. Special coal mine railway is intended to join track with Guhanshan Mine of Jiaozuo Coal Mining Group Corporation Ltd with full length 23.5km; newly-built road outside mining areas is 1.5 km and joins with Huixian-Wucun road, forming a railway-road transportation system.

 

Mining Technics

 

According to occurring conditions for coal seam, retreating mining of strike longwall coal mining method will be used in design. It is difficulty to realise mining all height at one time of caving coal due to the hard layered coal quality in the top of coal seam in this area, so slice mining is used in design and roof controlling method is collapse completely method.

 

Staff Allocation

 

There is 1683 staff in total for the whole coal mine, of which 1423 are working in coal mine, 150 are in coal preparation plant, 25 in railway station and yard and 85 in special railway.

 

Construction Period

 

Construction period of the mine is 38 months, with 8-month for preparation in the earlier stage and preparation for the construction. The total construction period is estimated to be 46 months.

 

Investment Estimate

 

The total dynamic investment amount of the project is estimated to be RMB1,474,900,000 (including initial working capital of RMB18,600,000), with RMB607 per tonne of coal. Including: Dynamic investment for the mine is RMB1,133,450,000, with dynamic investment of the coal preparation plant of RMB157,310,000, and dynamic investment of special railway of RMB165,540,000.

 

Major Economic Indices

 

Upon completion of the project, annual new sales revenue is expected to be RMB566,400,000, with total profit of RMB207,520,000, selling tax and surcharges paid of RMB54,530,000, profit after taxation of RMB139,190,000, and annual income tax of RMB68,560,000. Financial internal rate of return (after taxation) is 12.06%, with payback time (after taxation) of 10.29 years, profit rate on investment of 13.87%, profit and tax rate on investment of 17.62%, and the period of loan repayment of 9.55 years.

 

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EXHIBIT 4.6

 

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SINO-FOREIGN EQUITY JOINT VENTURE AT PINGGUO

 

This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is intended to provide a framework for discussions between ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED, a company limited by shares organized under the laws of the People's Republic of China (the "Company"), and ALCOA INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) LTD., a company incorporated in Hong Kong (the "Investor"). The Company and the Investor are hereinafter together referred to as the "Parties".

 

As more specifically described herein, this Memorandum of Understanding contemplates that a jointly owned equity joint venture company (the "JVCO") will be established to develop and operate the current bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminum smelting businesses of the Guangxi branch of the Company located in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China ("Pingguo"), and to undertake the Expansion Program (as defined herein) at Pingguo. As of the date hereof, Pingguo is producing at the annualized rates of approximately 135,000 MT of primary aluminum per year and approximately 450,000 MT of alumina per year.

 

After friendly discussions based on equality and mutual benefit, the Parties agree upon the following principles regarding the joint venture:

 

1.

Objective. As an integral part of the Investor's proposed purchase of a strategic interest in the Company pursuant to a Strategic Investor Subscription Agreement dated 5 November 2001 entered into among Aluminum Corporation of China, the Company, the Investor, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asia Limited and China International Capital Corporation (Hong Kong) Limited (the "Investor Agreement"), the Parties agree to jointly establish within a twelve month period a limited liability equity joint venture company for the purposes described in this Memorandum of Understanding, and to utilize each Party's expertise in the same. The goal of the parties will be to operate the JVCO as a world-class enterprise.

 

 

2.

Terms of the Joint Venture. The agreement setting forth the terms on which the Parties will form the JVCO shall include, without limitation, the following:

 

 

 

(a)

Total Investment and Registered Capital. In the initial stage, the total investment in the JVCO is expected to be approximately RMB 9.13 billion for the mining, refining and smelting businesses at Pingguo, expanded in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding.

 

 

 

 

 

The estimated total investment in the JVCO is based on (i) the agreement of the Parties on the value of Pingguo's current alumina refining and aluminum smelting businesses as of December 31, 2000, which is RMB 4.1385 billion, including good working capital for normal trading activities, which has a minimum net value of RMB 200 million, but without regard to the assumption of any liabilities, and (ii) on the Company's representation that the estimated cost of the Expansion Program since December 31, 2000 of Pingguo's businesses, as discussed below, will be approximately RMB 4.99 billion. The actual total investment in the JVCO and its registered capital shall be finalized during the development of the Joint Feasibility Study for the project.

 

 

 

 

 

During the joint feasibility study, the Parties will review and agree whether the JVCO will assume short or long term debt, and if so, the amount thereof.

 

 

 

 

(b)

Equity Ownership. Subject to the final determination of the amounts of total investment and registered capital as aforesaid, the respective equity interest in the JVCO held by each party to the JVCO is agreed to be as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

The Company

50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investor

50%

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

Form of Contribution to the JVCO. Each of the Parties shall contribute to the JVCO as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Company: Contributions to the registered capital of the JVCO equal to one-half of Pingguo's current businesses, valued at RMB 2.06925 billion upon formation of the JVCO; the Company's 50% share of the construction work in progress for the Expansion Program for 2001 and 2002 upon formation of the JVCO and thereafter, a contribution of cash in RMB, according to a schedule to be agreed by the Parties as needed to fund its proportionate share of the cost of the Expansion Program as discussed below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pingguo's businesses include its tangible and intangible assets, including but not limited to the rights to use, license and sublicense the technology known as the 320 KA grade pre-bake smelting technology and a related technology, currently in use at Pingguo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

Investor: Contributions to the registered capital of the JVCO in cash in United States Dollars upon formation of the JVCO in the amount equal to the RMB value of 2.06925 billion to enable the JVCO to purchase one-half of Pingguo's current businesses; cash in United States Dollars upon the formation of the JVCO in the amount equal to the RMB value of the Investor's 50% share of the construction work in progress for the Expansion Program for 2001 and 2002 and thereafter cash in United States Dollars in amounts equal to the RMB contributions made by the Company, according to a schedule to be agreed by the Parties, as needed to fund its proportionate share of the cost of the Expansion Program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the parties agree the JVCO will assume debt, the registered capital amounts will be reduced accordingly.

 

 

 

 

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(d)

Scope of the Venture's Business. The JVCO is being proposed for the purpose of mining bauxite, the refining of alumina and the smelting of aluminum.

 

 

 

 

(e)

Form of Business. The JVCO shall be a Sino-foreign equity joint venture in corporate form with limited liability.

 

 

 

 

(f)

Expansion Program. The parties are committed to the phased expansion of the production capacity of the JVCO (the "Expansion Program") as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Pingguo alumina Phase I de-bottlenecking and upgrade projects scheduled to take place between 2001 and 2002, which are expected to raise annual alumina refining capacity by 50,000 MT per year, representing approximately RMB 164 million in total investment;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

Pingguo alumina Phase II expansion project scheduled to take place between 2001 and 2003, which is expected to raise annual alumina refilling capacity by 400,000 MT per year, representing approximately RMB 1,886.1 million in total investment; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

Pingguo primary aluminum Phase II expansion scheduled to take place between 2002 and 2006, which is expected to raise annual primary aluminum production capacity by 250,000 MT per year, representing approximately RMB 2,940 million in total investment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above total investment amounts for each Phase of the Expansion Program have been provided by the Company in good faith and represent the Company's best estimates based on available information as of the date hereof. The parties recognize that the Investor is relying on the above estimates and completion dates.

 

 

 

 

 

In the event that the Investor reasonably determines that the total investment estimates for any Phase of the Expansion Program (after taking into account any changes relating to scale specifications and standards) for the joint feasibility study report prepared by the Company and the Investor for submission to the appropriate approval authorities is likely to exceed by more than 15% the total investment amount set forth above for such Phase, the Investor may elect to withdraw from this Memorandum of Understanding, with the consequences described in Section 4.02 of the Investor Agreement referred to herein (for the avoidance of doubt any changes to the scale, specifications and standards shall not be included in the calculation of the 15% threshold stipulated herein).

 

 

 

 

 

In the event that the Investor reasonably determines the time schedule estimates for any Phase of the Expansion Program for the joint feasibility study report prepared by the Company and the Investor for submission to the appropriate approval authorities is likely to exceed by more than 12 months the time schedule set forth above for each such Phase, the Investor may elect to withdraw from this Memorandum of Understanding, with the consequence described in Section 4.02 of the Investor Agreement referred to herein; provided, however, that to the extent practicable the comparative analysis shall be based on the same scale, specifications and standards on which the original estimates were based.

 

 

 

 

 

If the parties agree on the submission of the joint feasibility study to the appropriate approval authorities, the Investor and the Company shall jointly bear the risks of any increase in the total investment required to implement any phase of the Expansion Program.

 

 

 

 

(g)

Sales of Products. For that portion of the JVCO's products sold in China, it is expected that the products will be sold through the Company's sales channels at market prices, based on comparable commercial terms and conditions as the Company handles comparable products for its other production locations. The Investor shall have the right to direct that a portion of the JVCO's products representing up to its proportional percentage ownership in the JVCO be (i) sold through the Company's sales channels at comparable market prices to affiliates of Investor in China or (ii) sold by the Investor for export by Investor to its affiliates and customers outside China, through Investor's or its affiliates' own sales channels.

 

 

 

 

(h)

Location and Land Use Rights. The JVCO shall be located at the existing site of Pingguo in Pingguo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The Company shall procure that the Aluminum Corporation of China ("Chinalco") makes available to the JVCO land use rights for the site to be used by the JVCO, including land sufficient for the Expansion Program, as currently leased by the Company from Chinalco for the duration of the JVCO. With respect to any land use rights leased by Chinalco to the JVCO, the JVCO shall pay Chinalco an annual land use rights fee in an amount equal to the amount currently paid by the Company in respect of such land use rights and on substantially the same terms and conditions as those currently applicable in respect of such land use rights. The current land use rights rental and fee arrangements between Chinalco and the Company are summarized in the Company's Information Memorandum, as defined in the Investor Agreement. All decisions regarding the future acquisition of additional land use rights by the JVCO will be made by the Board of Directors of the JVCO based on a Super-Majority Vote (as defined herein).

 

 

 

 

(i)

Term. The initial term of the JVCO shall be 50 years, starting from the issuance of the JVCO's business license by the appropriate authorities of the PRC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(j)

Board of Directors. The JVCO shall establish a Board of Directors, the highest organ of authority of the JVCO, which shall consist of six (6) Directors, three (3) appointed by the Company, and three (3) appointed by Investor. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors shall each be elected for a three (3) year term. The Chairman shall be elected from among the Directors appointed by the Company, and the Vice-Chairman shall be elected from among the Directors appointed by the Investor.

 

 

 

 

 

A party may, at any time, remove any Director appointed by it. If a seat on the Board is vacated by the retirement, removal, resignation, illness, disability or death of a Director, the party that originally appointed such director may appoint a successor to serve out such director's term.

 

 

 

 

 

Directors shall not be paid a salary by the JVCO.

 

 

 

 

(k)

Decisions of the Board. The Board shall be the highest authority of the JVCO. It shall decide all major issues concerning the JVCO as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Decisions of the Board involving the following matters shall require unanimous approval of all Directors present at a meeting (in person or by proxy):

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

amendment of the Articles of Association, including any change in the nature, scope or the business purpose of the JVCO;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

early termination and dissolution of the JVCO;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

increase or decrease of the JVCO's registered capital;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

the merger or a spin-off of any portion of the business of the JVCO;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

extension of the term of the JVCO.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decisions of the Board involving the following matters shall require a super-majority affirmative vote of at least five members, which shall include an affirmative vote of at least one Director appointed by each of the parties (herein referred to as the "Super Majority Vote") at a meeting (in person or by proxy):

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

the acquisition or creation of other enterprises or plants;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

appointment of the General Manager and Deputy General Managers of the JVCO, after consultation among all the Directors, in accordance with paragraph 2(o) hereof;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

approval of the compensation of the General Manager and Deputy General Manager;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

adoption of Annual Business Plan, as defined herein, prepared by the General Manager for approval;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

any material capital projects, material expenditures or major contracts, as defined in the approval process, to be adopted by the Board setting out individual signature and approval authority for the General Manager in the joint venture contract;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

any contract, agreement, or proposed payment or charge between the JVCO and the Company or the Investor, or their affiliates, such as contracts for sales, supplies, services or technology and any material contract with a third parties;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

certain financial matters, such as approval of the annual accounts of the JVCO, declaration of dividends, the approval of the JVCO loans and providing security for loans;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

the appointment of the external auditors of the JVCO (who shall be internationally recognized and registered in China); and

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

allocation to statutory reserves for the staff and workers' bonus and welfare, and enterprise development funds.

 

 

 

 

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In the joint venture contract, the parties will mutually agree on provisions for the Board to review major policies established by the General Manager for the management, administration and organization of the JVCO. Such provisions will address, among others, the following matters:

 

 

 

 

 

*

policies established by the General Manager on environment, health and safety matters and business conduct;

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

accounting protocols;

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

matters regarding the hiring, scope of duties, terms of employment, supervision, compensation, disciplining and dismissal of all subordinate managers, staff and workers by the General Manger; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

audit protocols for measuring compliance with the JVCO policies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The operating policies of the JVCO will be designed to achieve world-class operations (even when more stringent than local requirements), in order that the JVCO may become competitive by global standards.

 

 

 

 

 

The Parties agree that the Board shall support and not interfere with the normal decision making authority of the General Manager. The Board will decide the matters referenced above and any other matters the Board decides are appropriate from time to time. The decision making authority for all other matters shall be delegated to the General Manager by the Board.

 

 

 

 

(l)

Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall be the legal representative of the JVCO. Both Parties agree that all actions of the Chairman shall be consistent with authority expressly granted by the Board. The Chairman or any three Directors may call a meeting of the Board, and the Chairman shall preside. Whenever the Chairman is unable to perform his responsibilities for any reason, the Chairman shall authorize the Vice-Chairman or another Director to act as the legal representative of the Company and appoint another Director to temporarily act as the legal representative of the JVCO in his stead.

 

 

 

 

(m)

Committees of the Board of Directors. The JVCO will take advantage of the unique expertise of each of the Parties. Subcommittees of the Board of Directors will be established and assigned oversight, leadership and review functions in particular areas of responsibility. The Board may by Super Majority Vote from time to time create subcommittees of the Board for this purpose, and terminate them, as the need arises. The Parties shall have equal representation on the subcommittees and decisions of the subcommittees shall be unanimous. Two initial subcommittees of the Board will be an Audit Subcommittee and a Human Resources and Compensation Policies Subcommittee. Each of these two subcommittees will be chaired by a Director nominated by the Company.

 

 

 

 

(n)

Management System. The JVCO shall adopt a management system under which the General Manager shall be responsible for the management and operation of the Company. The General Manager shall be nominated by the Investor and appointed by the Board by Super Majority Vote, after consultation among the Directors. The General Manager shall be appointed for three (3) years or such other term of years as the Board deems appropriate. The Board may dismiss the General Manager at any time for any reason (including but not limited to reasons of corruption, and breach or neglect of duty) by the affirmative vote of at least three Directors. If the General Manager is dismissed, his replacement shall be nominated by the Investor and appointed by the Board by Super Majority Vote, after consultation among all of the Directors. Pending appointment of the new General Manager, an Interim General Manager shall be designated by the Investor to manage the JVCO on a temporary basis; provided however, that the Company and the Investor shall cause the Board to appoint a new General Manager as soon as is reasonably practicable.

 

 

 

 

(o)

Deputy General Managers. The General Manager shall be assisted in his duties by one or more Deputy General Managers. The number of Deputy General Managers will be determined by the General Manager from time to time based on operational and administrative requirements. Candidates for Deputy General Manager positions may be proposed for consideration by the Human Resources and Compensation Subcommittee by any Director and the General Manager, and a list of one or more recommended candidates will be developed by the Human Resources and Compensation Subcommittee of the Board for consideration and approval by the Board in consultation with the General Manager. The Board of Directors will ultimately appoint the Deputy General Managers. All Deputy General Managers shall report to the General Manager. The General Manager may dismiss any Deputy General Manager at any time for any reason, provided that there is a reasonable basis for such dismissal. If a Deputy General Manager is dismissed, he shall be replaced by the same procedures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(p)

Responsibility of Managers. The General Manager shall be directly responsible to the Board. He shall carry out the various resolutions of the Board, including the approved Annual Business Plan, and in accordance therewith organize and direct activities and affairs of the JVCO as well as the operation and management work of the JVCO. The General Manager shall be authorized by the Board with sufficient authority to exercise to the fullest extent possible the responsibilities, powers and duties appropriate to his position.

 

 

 

 

 

Subject to the provisions regarding the appointment of the Deputy General Managers set out above, the General Manager shall be responsible for recruiting, appointing and dismissing all subordinate managers, staff and workers of the JVCO and the General Manager shall determine the terms of employment, scope of work and the compensation for all subordinate managers, staff and workers of the JVCO.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company and General Manager will consult fully with the Board during the process of identifying potential candidates for consideration for their respective nominees for the position of Deputy General Manager and other senior management appointments. Any Director may also recommend candidates to the General Manager. The General Manager shall also consult with the Board during the selection process.

 

 

 

 

 

The compensation and terms of employment of General Manager and any subordinate managers or staff made available to the JVCO by the Investor shall be determined as stipulated in a contract to be mutually agreed by the parties as part of the definitive agreements for implementation of the joint venture. Said contract shall be approved by the Board by Super Majority Vote upon formation of the JVCO.

 

 

 

 

 

During the joint feasibility study process, the Parties will review the organizational structure at Pingguo to identify any implementation issues that may arise in the transition to establishment of the JVCO based on the principles contained in this MOU. In performing this review, the Parties and the current management team of Pingguo will take into account the Parties' desire for a stable, secure and successful transition. The organizational structure for the JVCO will be agreed during the joint feasibility undertaken by the Parties and will be approved by Board upon formation of the JVCO. Upon formation, it is contemplated that current management teams at Pingguo will operate the facilities as decided during the joint feasibility study. To facilitate the negotiation process for the formation of the JVCO, the Company agrees that it will not make any discretionary changes in the management team in respect of Pingguo's core businesses prior to the effectiveness of the Joint Venture Contract without consultation with the Investor.

 

 

 

 

 

After formation of the JVCO the General Manager will implement the organizational structure of the JVCO. The managers of the JVCO shall handle matters delegated to them by the General Manager and shall be responsible to the General Manager.

 

 

 

 

 

The General Manager will routinely and regularly consult with the Directors and representatives of the Parties on activities of the JVCO. The General Manager shall also cause his subordinate managers to be available periodically for discussions with their counterparts in the management organizations of the Company and the Investor, to review matters of mutual business and technical interest.

 

 

 

 

 

Only the General Manager, or an employee of the JVCO authorized in writing by the General Manager (in each case pursuant to a delegation of authority by the Chairman or the Board) may sign commercial contracts on behalf of the JVCO. The Company and the Investor shall endeavor to establish clear guidelines for determining the scope of the signing authority to be so delegated. Each party shall use its best efforts to prevent all other persons from signing such contracts on behalf of, or otherwise entering into obligations binding upon, the JVCO without the prior authorization.

 

 

 

 

(q)

Annual Business Plan and Monthly Budgets and Business Reports. The General Manager shall prepare and submit to the Board annually the proposed updated business plan for the JVCO for the subsequent calendar year and for additional annual periods (as agreed in the joint venture contract), which the Board shall adopt with such revisions as the Board shall deem appropriate. Each such business plan (the "Annual Business Plan") shall cover the following matters:

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Operating Plans, including anticipated operating rates and production levels considering that the JVCO's alumina refinery will first supply on a priority basis the needs of the JVCO's aluminum smelter;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

Estimated income and expenditure budgets for the JVCO and related financial statements;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

Capital Expenditures Budgets;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

Financing Plans;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

Procurement Plans, including bauxite sourcing, third party alumina purchases and power supply;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

Sales and Marketing Plans;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

Repair and Maintenance Plans;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

Environment, Health and Safety Plans;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

Human Resource Plans; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

Strategic Plans and other long term planning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the event an Annual Business Plan is not adopted by the Board, the previously approved Annual Business Plan shall continue to apply until the new plan becomes effective.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the Annual Business Plan, the General Manager shall prepare and submit to the Board monthly business reports on the activities and prospects of the JVCO, showing the performance of the JVCO. The form of the monthly business reports shall be agreed by the parties in the joint venture contract.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(r)

Audit Rights. Each of the Company and the Investor will have the right, at its own expense, to audit any aspect of the JVCO?|s business activity, and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors and the General Manager on matters of interest. Such audit rights will include full and complete access to all personnel and records of the JVCO. Each of the Company and the Investor will have the right to a full and complete audit of any aspect of any related party transaction between the JVCO and either the Company, and any party affiliated with the Company, or the Investor, and any party affiliated with the Investor. Any such audit will be conducted by an independent auditor acceptable to both Parties; the Parties will cooperate in good faith with such auditor and will promptly provide it with requested information.

 

 

 

 

(s)

Increases in Registered Capital. If the Board decides to expand in the future beyond the Expansions described above and decides to fund all or part of the expansion by increasing registered capital, then such decisions of the Board of Directors shall require the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, as defined herein.

 

 

 

 

(t)

Loans. The parties shall investigate the feasibility of the JVCO funding from time to time part of its operational requirements, such as working capital and capital expenditures, from loans. Any such loans shall be borrowed in the name of the JVCO and if the lending bank(s) require security for such loans(s) such security shall be provided by the JVCO. Any such loans shall be without recourse to any of the Parties.

 

 

 

 

(u)

Alcoa Technical and Managerial Assistance. In order to maximize the business returns and improve operating efficiencies of the JVCO and to facilitate the sharing of best practices between their respective organizations, the Investor will make available to the JVCO a full range of appropriate technical, managerial and support systems, including the application of concepts and tools embedded in Alcoa's business systems.

 

 

 

 

(v)

Services. The Company and Investor will provide management and technical services and assistance to the JVCO on a basis to be mutually agreed in the definitive agreements to implement the joint venture. It is anticipated that, to the extent practicable, the JVCO will contract with the Company for provision of services that the Company provides centrally to its other production locations on a basis to be mutually agreed in the definitive agreements to implement the joint venture. To the extent social services are provided by Chinalco to the JVCO they shall be on a basis consistent with the related party agreements described in the Information Memorandum and as mutually agreed by the parties in the definitive agreements to implement the joint venture.

 

 

 

 

(w)

Technology License Rights. The Company and Investor will grant licensing rights for technology to the JVCO on a basis to be mutually agreed in the definitive agreements to implement the joint venture. Subject to existing restrictions, any technology licensed for use by the JVCO may also be used in the other jointly-owned joint ventures established together by the Company and the Investor in China.

 

 

 

 

(x)

Employment. All managers, staff and workers of the joint venture will become employees of the JVCO. The managers and staff of the JVCO may not hold posts concurrently as the General Manager or any other officer or employee of any other economic organization, provided that persons made available to the JVCO by the Investor or it is affiliates may remain employees thereof, provided that they shall not remain as General Managers or Deputy General Managers of Investor or its affiliates.

 

 

 

 

(y)

Review of Management Structure. During the third year of operation of the JVCO, the Board of Directors will undertake an extraordinary review of the organizational structure of the JVCO, and the Board may at that time decide to maintain or to modify the structure by mutual agreement of the Parties.

 

 

 

 

 

For its review, the Board may use and engage such resources and advice as it decides is necessary at the time.

 

 

 

 

 

In the event the Parties mutually agree during such review that the management structure can be materially improved, then the Parties will not be guided by the initial structure in any subsequent joint venture or joint ventures they may undertake together.

 

 

 

 

(z)

Other Matters to be Resolved Before Establishing the JVCO. The Parties recognize that there are important matters to be resolved before the establishment of the JVCO, which include, but are not limited to:

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Receipt of the necessary approvals for the transaction from the relevant governmental authorities;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

Receipt of necessary corporate approvals applicable to the parties;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

Availability of a satisfactory contract for the supply of electrical power to Pingguo smelter and related Expansion;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

Availability of satisfactory rights of the JVCO to access the bauxite reserves associated with the Pingguo alumina refinery;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

Implementation of satisfactory arrangement for dealing with the social infrastructure and services at Pingguo;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

Assurances that all necessary permits and permission, including those from the environmental authorities, have been received for the Expansions.

 

 

 

 

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3.

Supplemental Payment.

 

 

 

(a)

The Investor agrees to make a one time Supplemental Payment (the "Supplemental Payment") to the Company four years from the issuance of the JVCO's business license in accordance with this clause 3. The Supplemental Payment shall be paid if the JVCO realizes certain average unit prices for its products during the initial forty-eight month period (the "Relevant Period").

 

 

 

 

(b)

The Supplemental Payment shall be the cumulative sum of four Annual Amounts each calculated as follows: the Annual Amounts shall be based on the aggregated average unit revenue earned for each twelve month period of the Relevant Period by the JVCO for the sale of aluminum and alumina (the "Annual Amounts"). The Annual Amounts shall be calculated as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

[(AUP Aluminum - US$1580/MT) * (1 - T) * V Aluminum * 0.5]

 

 

 

 

 

PLUS

 

 

 

 

 

[(AUP Alumina - US$230/MT) * (1 - T) * V Alumina* 0.5]

 

 

 

 

 

Where:

 

 

 

 

 

AUP Aluminum means the average realized unit sales price of aluminum expressed in US Dollar per MT over the relevant twelve month period, exclusive of VAT, transportation costs from the plant to the customers, and other applicable taxes;

 

 

 

 

 

AUP Alumina means the average realized unit sales price of alumina expressed in US Dollar per MT received from third party sales over the relevant twelve month period, exclusive of VAT, transportation costs from the plant to customers, and other applicable taxes;

 

 

 

 

 

T is the statutory rate of enterprise income tax payable by the JVCO as stipulated by Chinese law (excluding any tax preferences) applicable to the relevant twelve month period;

 

 

 

 

 

V Aluminum is the total amount of aluminum expressed in MT sold to third parties during the relevant twelve month period, including sales of aluminum to the Company or its affiliates; and

 

 

 

 

 

V Alumina is the total amount of alumina expressed in MT sold to third parties during the relevant twelve month period, including sales of alumina to the Company or its affiliates.

 

 

 

 

(c)

The respective average unit prices and annual unit revenues for alumina and aluminum shall be certified for each twelve month period of the Relevant Period by the outside auditors of the Company.

 

 

 

 

(d)

If the aggregated Annual Amounts for the Relevant Period is a positive number, the Investor shall pay the Supplemental Payment to the Company within 30 days from certification of the average unit prices for the fourth year. If the aggregated amount is a negative number, no Supplemental Payment shall be made.

 

 

 

 

(e)

The amount shall also exclude any internal transfers of alumina within the JVCO. Sales of alumina and aluminum by the JVCO to the Company shall be on substantially the same terms and conditions as sales of the same product by the Company to other customers.

 

 

 

 

(f)

The amount shall also be calculated only with respect to current operations of the JVCO and not with respect to any expansions by the parties.

 

 

 

 

(g)

For the avoidance of doubt, the aggregated Annual Amounts can be a negative value.

 

 

 

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4.

Approvals and Next Steps. The Project Proposal based on this Memorandum of Understanding will be submitted for required governmental approvals and the corporate approvals of each of the parties hereto, including, without limitation, approvals by the boards of directors of the Parties. This Memorandum of Understanding is also subject to the mutually satisfactory conclusion and execution of a Joint Venture Contract and Articles of Association pursuant to the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Sino-foreign Equity Joint Ventures" of July 1, 1979 (the "Equity Joint Venture Law") as supplemented and amended.

 

 

 

Promptly after the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding and the approval by the relevant Chinese authorities of the related Project Proposal, a joint study team will be formed by the parties to undertake a joint feasibility study of the JVCO. The feasibility study will be based on the basic principles set forth in this Memorandum of Understanding and upon other provisions which are agreed upon during the course of the preparation of the joint feasibility study. Other matters will also be agreed upon during the negotiation of the joint venture contract and related definitive contracts to establish and implement the JVCO. The parties recognize that the joint feasibility study and joint venture contract will require the approval of the relevant authorities.

 

 

5.

Confidentiality. The Parties recognize and affirm that any oral or written information exchanged among them is confidential proprietary information. Each Party shall preserve such information in strictest confidence and shall not disclose such information to any third party without the express written consent of the Party which provided such information, except if such information is available to the public (but not as a result of unauthorized disclosure into the public domain of such information by the Party receiving the information) or required to be disclosed by applicable law. If the JVCO is not established, each Party shall return to the other Parties (without retaining copies thereof) any documents or papers delivered to such Party, or it's authorized representatives, by such other Party.

 

 

6.

Expenses. Each of the Parties shall bear all of its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the establishment of the JVCO, including without limitation, legal and meeting expenses and costs in connection with the preparation of legal documentation whether or not the transactions contemplated herein are consummated or the JVCO is established. If the JVCO is established, all costs and expenses incurred by the Parties after the date hereof may be reimbursed by the JVCO and amortized as expenses of JVCO over the first five years of the JVCO's term, only to the extent mutually agreed by the Parties.

 

 

7.

Non-binding Memorandum of Understanding. This Memorandum of Understanding does not contain all matters upon which agreement must be reached in order for the JVCO to be established and, except for this Paragraph 7 and the obligations of the Parties set forth in paragraphs 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of this Memorandum of Understanding, this document does not constitute, and shall not be construed as, a binding contractual commitment of, or a contract or agreement between, the Parties. None of the Parties, nor any of their stockholders, directors and officers shall have any liability hereunder, and any of the Parties shall be free to terminate negotiations at any time prior to execution and delivery of a mutually satisfactory Joint Venture Contract, with no liability or obligation to the other Parties, except as specified in this paragraph 7.

 

 

 

None of the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding shall become effective until the closing of the Global Offering.

 

 

8.

No Partnership Formed by Memorandum of Understanding. This Memorandum of Understanding does not establish a joint venture, partnership, or any other type of business entity between the Parties, and in no event shall the Parties represent to other persons or entitles that a joint venture, partnership, or other type of business entity has been formed unless and until a definitive joint venture agreement has been executed and approved by the board of directors of each Party.

 

 

9.

Performance by an Affiliate of Investor. The Investor may elect to have an Affiliate become the participant in the JVCO and a party to the agreements and contracts related thereto. Any such Affiliate must be acceptable to the Company, which agreement will not be unreasonably withheld. The Affiliate shall provide a performance undertaking from its parent company of respective obligations under the joint venture contract and related implementing documentation. For purposes of this Memorandum of Understanding, an Affiliate of a company means any entity directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under the direct and indirect common control with such company; "control" for purposes of this definition being taken to mean direct or indirect ownership of at least 50% of the voting rights of the relevant entity.

 

 

10.

Dispute Resolution. Any dispute arising out of or relating to the binding provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination ("Dispute") shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in accordance with its Securities Arbitration Rules. The language to be used in the arbitration proceedings shall be English and Chinese.

 

 

 

 

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11.

Notices. Unless otherwise notified by the relevant parties, all notices delivered hereunder shall be in writing and delivered by hand or given by facsimile to the following addresses:

 

 

 

If to the Company:

 

No. 12B Fuxing Road

 

Haidian District, Beijing

 

People's Republic of China

 

100814

 

For the Attention of: Mr. Liang Zhongxiu

 

 

 

If to Investor:

 

Alcoa International (Asia) Ltd

 

Admiralty Center, Room 1301

 

Tower 1, 18 Harcourt Road

 

Hong Kong

 

For the Attention of President

 

 

 

With copies to:

 

 

 

Morgan Stanley:

 

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asia Limited

 

26th Floor, Three Exchange Square

 

Central, Hong Kong

 

Facsimile: (852) 2848-5577

 

Telephone: (852) 2848-5688

 

For the Attention of: Mr. Edward King

 

 

 

CICC:

 

China International Capital Corporation

 

28th Floor, China World Tower

 

No. 1 Jianguomenwei Avenue

 

Beijing 100004, China

 

Facsimile: (8610) 6505-1156

 

Telephone: (8610) 6505-1166

 

For the attention of: Mr. Yang Changpo

 

 

12.

Governing Law. The binding portions of this Memorandum of Understanding shall be governed by and construed under the laws of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

 

 

13.

Exclusivity. The Parties shall negotiate in good faith with a view to signing, within eight months of the closing of the Global Offering, a definitive joint venture contract for the purposes of establishing a joint venture at Pingguo, based on the expressions of intent memorialized in this Memorandum of Understanding. During the period from the date of execution of this Memorandum of Understanding until the date which falls twelve months after the closing date of the Global Offering (inclusive) the Parties will negotiate exclusively, and will not enter into discussions with a third party, with regard to a Sino-foreign joint venture relating to bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminum smelting at Pingguo.

 

 

14.

Language. This Memorandum of Understanding is executed in English and Chinese. Both language versions are equally authentic. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese versions, the English version shall prevail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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15.

Definitions. Defined terms shall have the same meanings as set out in the Investor Agreement unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

 

 

*************

 

 

 

This Memorandum of Understanding has been executed by the authorized representatives of the Company and Investor on this 12th day of November 2001 in Beijing.

 

 

 

ALUMINUM CORPORATION OF CHINA LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:


 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

ALCOA INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

By:


 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

- 272 -

 


 

EXHIBIT 4.7

 

General Agreement on Mutual Provision of Production

Supplies and Ancillary Services

 

This agreement is made in Beijing on November 5, 2001 by and between:

 

Party A: Aluminum Corporation of China ("Party A"), a state-owned enterprise established and duly existing under the PRC laws, and the duly authorized representatives of its subordinate enterprises and business units.

 

Party B: Aluminum Corporation of China Limited ("Party B"), a joint stock limited company established and duly existing under the PRC laws, and the duly authorized representatives of its subsidiaries.

 

I.

Background

 

 

Party A, as a promoter, has been approved by the State Council to establish Party B, and Party B will publicly offer public shares outside the PRC, including overseas listed foreign shares ("H Share") issued to overseas investors on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (the "Stock Exchange") and American Depository Shares ("ADS") listed on New York Stock Exchange. Therefore, Party A carried on corporate reorganization and, as a major promoter, established Party B on September 10, 2001 under the PRC law.

 

Party A injected the principal business and its relevant assets, liabilities/capital interests, which belonged to Party A and its subordinate enterprises and business units before the reorganization, into Party B. (In this agreement, "Principal Business" includes production, sales and relevant scientific research of alumina and aluminum, as well as the mining operation of bauxite and limestone). Upon the reorganization, Party A retained the non-principal businesses including ancillary production, aluminum fabrication, carbon and cement, some businesses inappropriate for injecting into Party B such as mining operation of bauxite and limestone, engineering design, transportation and loading, supply, and relevant assets, liabilities as well as shareholder's equity.

 

As at the signing date of this agreement, Party A is the controlling shareholder of Party B. Upon completion of H shares and ADS issue, Party A will continue to be the controlling shareholder of Party B.

 

Party is engaged in businesses including ancillary production services including production and operation of alumina and aluminum as well as supply service of various raw materials and supplemental materials. Such production supplies and services are necessary for the production and operation of Party B and, its subordinate enterprises and business units. Party A and its subordinate enterprises and business units have certain strengths in talents, technology and location, and have had a long-term cooperation relationship with Party B and its subordinate enterprises and business units prior to the reorganization. Therefore, Party B is willing to obtain such production supplies and services from Party A in accordance with this agreement.

 

Party B has alumina, aluminum products and by-products, unfinished products, and can provide services such as water supply, power supply, gas supply, heat supply and measurement. Prior to the Reorganization, Party B and its subordinate enterprises and business units had established a long-term cooperation relationship with Party A and its subordinate enterprises and business units. Therefore, Party A is willing to obtain such supplies and services from Party B in accordance with this agreement.

 

Accordingly, parties hereto agree to enter into this agreement and guarantee that they will procure their respective subordinate enterprises and business units (including both parties' subsidiaries, branches and other units) to provide the supplies and services as specified herein in accordance with the terms and principles hereof.

 

II.

Agreement

 

 

Article 1

Scope of Production Supplies and Services

 

 

Parties hereto shall provide the following production supplies and services under this agreement:

 

1.1

Supplies and services provided by Party B to Party A include: aluminum products (ingots) and alumina products, waste residues; coal, pitch; water supply, power supply, gas supply, heat supply, measurement, spare parts, repair, inspection, transportation, steam and other relevant or similar products and services.

 

 

1.2

Production supplies and services provided by Party A to Party B include:

 

 

 

1.2.1

Production supplies: carbon ring, carbon products, cement, coal, oxygen, bottled water, steam, refractory bricks, aluminum fluoride, cryolite, lubricant, resin, clinker, fabricated aluminum, and other similar supplies and services.

 

 

 

 

1.2.2

Transportation and loading: vehicle transportation, loading services, railway transportation and other relevant or similar services.

 

 

 

 

1.2.3

Ancillary production services: communication, quality testing, processing and fabrication, engineering design, repair, environmental protection, road maintenance and other similar services.

 

 

 

1.3

Parties hereto agree to enter into separate relevant agreements in respect of supply of social and logistics services, the lease and use of land use right and buildings, engineering design, supply of construction and supervisory services, mineral supply, use of trademarks license, debt guarantee and accounts receivable and accounts payable, respectively.

 

 

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Article 2

Principles of the Transactions

 

 

2.1

Parties hereto agree that they shall be entitled to choose their trading partners independently. Party A undertakes that it may not provide supplies or services on terms which are less favourable than those offered to third parties.

 

 

2.2

The specific parties for the supplies and services transactions contemplated under this agreement may enter into separate agreements as specified in the scope of this agreement. The specific parties herein refer to Party A, Party B, their subordinate enterprises and business units.

 

 

Article 3

Pricing Policy

 

 

3.1

Prices of all supplies and services hereunder shall be determined in accordance with the general principle and in the order prescribed this article: according to the price prescribed by the PRC government (including local government) ("Stated-prescribed price"); if not available, then state-guidance price; if neither, then the market price; and if none of the above is applicable, then according to the contractual price.

 

 

3.2

Please refer to Annex 1 for the pricing policy of various specific services.

 

 

Article 4

Operation Mode

 

 

4.1

Parties hereto shall provide demands plans for obtaining production supplies and services from the other party for the next year or adjustment plans for the production supplies and services items of this year ("Demands Plans"), and use their endeavour to provide, according to Demands Plans of the other party, supply plans ("Supply Plans") for provision of production supplies and services to the other party for the next year, on an annual basis, to the other party before 30 November every year. Should Demands Plan for next year provided by Party B be same as that of this year, Party A shall satisfy such plan.

 

 

4.2

Parties hereto shall ensure and procure their respective subordinate enterprises and business units to sign detailed contacts on production supplies and services pursuant to Supply Plans recognised by both parties under the principles and regulations set out herein.

 

 

4.3

During the implementation of this agreement, if necessary and approved by both parties, adjustments could be made to Demands Plan and Supply Plan on production supplies and services as well as relevant specific contracts.

 

 

4.4

Please refer to annex 2 for the scope and price of production supplies and services mutually provided by both parties in 2001.

 

 

4.5

The specific production supplies and services contracts signed pursuant to this agreement shall be for a term of one year, but in respect of the specific production supplies and services contracts signed in the same year with this agreement, shall be expired at the end of the year. Unless otherwise terminated under relevant regulations of such specific contracts and this agreement, such specific contracts shall be renewed on an annual basis.

 

 

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Article 5

Rights and Obligations of Parties

 

 

5.1

Rights of both parties include:

 

 

 

5.1.1

Each party may provide the relevant supplies and services to any third party provided that the provision of such services to the other party will be ensured according to this agreement.

 

 

 

 

5.1.2

Subject to the regulations set out herein, each party may obtain such supplies and services from any third parties if the other party fail to satisfy its needs in any aspect (including quantity or quality).

 

 

 

 

5.1.3

Without prejudice to Article 4 set out herein, each party may prepare annual Demands Plan and Supply Plan and make relevant adjustment by themselves.

 

 

 

 

5.1.4

Each party may collect receivables and service fees according to the regulations set out herein.

 

 

 

5.2

Obligations of both parties include:

 

 

 

5.2.1

Each party shall ensure and procure its subordinate enterprises or business units to provide supplies and services to the other party pursuant to the standards and prices provided in this agreement and specific supplies and services contracts.

 

 

 

 

5.2.2

Parties hereto shall accept the appointment from parties to specific supplies and services contracts, and coordinate relevant matters concerning such specific supplies and services contracts.

 

 

 

 

5.2.3

Each party shall appoint or establish a special organisation to, in respect of the relevant supplies and services transactions hereunder, be responsible for communicating, preparing documents, planning and arranging, balancing supply and demand, supervising performance of contracts and coordinating.

 

 

 

 

5.2.4

Each party shall make relevant payment and service fees according to the regulations of this agreement and specific supplies and services contracts.

 

 

 

 

5.2.5

Each party shall further take other necessary actions, including execution of other relevant documents to ensure the principles and contents hereunder.

 

 

 

Article 6

Terms and Termination of Specific Supplies and Services Contracts

 

 

6.1

Without prejudice to Article 6.2 and 6.3, any party involved in this agreement or specific supplies and services contracts entered pursuant to this agreement may terminate the agreement or provision of specific type of supplies or services by giving to the other party not less than six months' prior written notice. It shall be specified in the notice that what kind of supplies and services will not be provided and when the termination will come into effect. Should provision of any supplies or services be terminated pursuant to the agreement, the termination will not impact other rights or obligations of both parties hereunder or other rights or obligations of any party to specific supplies and services contracts entered pursuant to the agreement thereunder.

 

 

6.2

Should Party B can not cannot conveniently obtain specific type of supplies and services provided by Party A from a third party (including but not limited to any third party related to Party B) and Party B has explained to Party A for such situation in written and requested Party A to provide such supply and service, in any event Party A shall not terminate the provision of such supply and service, unless otherwise a written consent is given by Party B.

 

 

6.3

In the event that any party has issued a termination notice to terminate the provision of specific supplies and services pursuant to Article 6.1 set out herein, unless otherwise agreed by both parties, the termination notice will not terminate or impact rights and obligations of both parties under this agreement and specific supplies and services contracts in connection with this agreement when and before the notice is given.

 

 

6.4

This agreement shall come into effect upon signature and seal by authorized representatives of both parties, for a term of three years with effective from July 1, 2001. Provided that it is agreed by both parties and approved by the Stock Exchange and/or general meeting of Party B (subject to the regulations of the Stock Exchange), the term of the agreement can be extended.

 

 

6.5

In case of any breach of terms set out herein by any party ("Breaching Party"), the other party may notify the Breaching Party in writing that it has constituted a breach of contract, and request the Breaching Party take remedies within the appointed reasonable period. Should the Breaching Party fail to take remedies within the said period, the non-breaching party may immediately terminate the agreement and reserve the rights to claim compensation from the Breaching Party and any other legal rights.

 

 

6.6

The termination of this agreement shall not impact any rights or obligations of any party which have arisen from this agreement.

 

 

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Article 7

Representations and Warranties

 

 

7.1

Representations and warranties of Party A:

 

 

 

7.1.1

Party A is a state-owned enterprise duly established under PRC law with an independent legal personal standings and a valid business license;

 

 

 

 

7.1.2

Party A has been engaged in business activities according to the PRC law and has never engaged in any activity beyond its authorized business scope;

 

 

 

 

7.1.3

Party A has obtained all approvals (if necessary) and internal authorizations necessary for signing this agreement and performing obligations thereunder; This agreement shall be signed by the authorized representative of Party A, and shall be binding on Party A upon execution;

 

 

 

 

7.1.4

The execution of this agreement or performance of obligations thereunder by Party A does not violate nor has any legal conflict with any of its other agreements or its Articles of Association.

 

 

 

7.2

Representations and warranties of Party B:

 

 

 

7.2.1

Party B is a state-owned enterprise duly established under PRC law with an independent legal personal standings and a valid business license;

 

 

 

 

7.2.2

Party B has been engaged in business activities according to the PRC law and has never engaged in any activity beyond its authorized business scope;

 

 

 

 

7.2.3

Party B has obtained all internal authorizations necessary for signing this agreement, This agreement shall be signed by the authorized representative of Party B, and shall be binding on Party B upon execution;

 

 

 

 

7.2.4

The execution of this agreement or performance of obligations thereunder by Party B does not violate nor has any legal conflict with any of its other agreements or its Articles of Association.

 

 

 

Article 8

Performance of the Agreement

 

 

8.1

In the event that any transaction under this Agreement constitutes a connected transaction under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("the Listing Rules") according to which the implementation of such transaction is subject to a waiver from the Stock Exchange or the approval of independent shareholders or any other requirements from the Listing Rules, this agreement and the performance of such transactions shall be conditional upon such waiver, approval or requirements.

 

 

8.2

Should a conditional waiver be granted by the Stock Exchange, the performance of this agreement shall be subject to the relevant conditions.

 

 

8.3

Should a waiver for a connected transaction lapses or be withdrew or revoked by the Stock Exchange and such transaction fail to meet the requirements for connected transactions under the Listing Rules, the performance related to such transaction under this Agreement shall be terminated.

 

 

8.4

This agreement shall be terminated in the event that the performance related to all transactions thereunder is terminated according to Article 8.3.

 

 

8.5

Should the total amount of the connected transactions exceed the total annual waiver limit (if applicable) approved by the Stock Exchange, the parties herein agree that Party B shall as soon as possible notify and apply to the Stock Exchange for higher annual waiver limit or convene, according to the Listing Rules, a general meeting for independent shareholders to seek their approval (if applicable). Prior to obtaining a waiver from the Stock Exchange or the approval of independent shareholders, parties herein agree to try their endeavour to control the relevant transactions within the total annual waiver limit.

 

 

Article 9

Force Majeure

 

 

9.1

Should any party herein fail to perform its all or part of obligations by any events of force majeure (means any events which are beyond the control of the affected party, and which are unforeseen, unavoidable and insurmountable, and which make total or partial performance of this agreement impossible or impracticable by such party (including but not limited to failure to perform at reasonable cost). Such accidents include but not limited to floods, fires, droughts, typhoons, earthquakes, other natural disasters, traffic accidents, strikes, furies, riots and war (whether the war is declared or not) and acts and omissions of the government departments), the performance of such obligations shall be suspended during the persisting period of force majeure.

 

 

9.2

The party claiming force majeure shall notify the other party in writing as soon as practicable and shall furnish within [fifteen (15)] days thereafter appropriate proof of the occurrence and duration of such force majeure to the other party by person or registered airmail. The party claiming impossible or impractical to perform its obligations under this agreement due to an event of the force majeure shall use all its endeavour to remove or minimize the effects of the event of force majeure.

 

 

9.3

In the event of force majeure, the parties shall immediately consult with each other friendly in order to find an equitable solution for the execution of the agreement. Upon the end of the force majeure event or elimination of its impact, parties shall promptly resume the performance of their respective obligations under this agreement.

 

 

- 276 -

 


 

Article 10

Announcement

 

 

Any party, without prior written consent of the other party, may not make any announcement related to this agreement, except announcements made pursuant to relevant law of PRC and other regions or regulations from China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Securities and Futures Commission, the New York Stock Exchange, United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any other governments or regulatory authorities.

 

Article 11

Miscellaneous Provisions

 

 

11.1

Save as is stipulated in this agreement, any party, without written consent of the other party, may not transfer all or part of its rights or obligations under this agreement.

 

 

11.2

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, contracts, understanding and communications, in oral or written form, with respect to the subject matter of this agreement.

 

 

11.3

Should any term of this agreement become illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the validity and enforceability of other terms in this agreement will not be affected thereby.

 

 

11.4

Both parties agree to bear respectively all related costs and expenses incurred from signing of this agreement according to regulations of applicable PRC laws. In case of no relevant regulations from applicable laws, the costs shall be born averagely by the parties.

 

 

11.5

Revision to this agreement shall only be made upon written agreement with signatures by authorized representatives of, as well as approval through appropriate corporate actions of, parties hereto. Should such revision constitute material, substantial amendments to this agreement, such revision shall come into effect upon notification to, or consent (depending on then requirements from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange) of, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and general meeting (if applicable) of party B.

 

 

11.6

Save as otherwise provided in this agreement, either party's failure to exercise or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege under this agreement shall not operate as a waiver thereof, and any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege shall not preclude the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

 

11.7

The annexes hereto are made an integral part of this agreement and are equally binding with the main body of the agreement.

 

 

Article 12

Notice

 

 

12.1

Any notice or other communications required to be give by one party pursuant to this agreement shall be written in Chinese and delivered personally or by registered post to the designated address of, or faxed to the designated number of, the other party. The date on which notice is deemed to be effectively made shall be decided by the following stipulations:

 

 

 

12.1.1

Notice delivered personally shall be deemed effectively given on the date of personal delivery, provided that receipt shall be acknowledged in written by designated person of the other party;

 

 

 

 

12.1.2

Notice sent by registered post shall be deemed as effectively give on the seventh day (should the last day be Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the day shall be delayed to the next business day) after the date on which they were mailed (as indicated by the postmark);

 

 

 

 

12.1.3

Notice sent by facsimile shall be deemed effectively give upon the completion of facsimile transmission.

 

 

 

12.2

The communication means of both parties are as follows:

 

 

 

Party A: China Aluminum Corporation

 

Address: B12, Fuxing Road, Beijing

 

Postcode: 100814

 

Fax: 63963806

 

 

 

Party B: Aluminium Corporation of China Limited

 

Address: B12, Fuxing Road, Beijing

 

Postcode: 100814

 

Fax: 88086974

 

 

 

Should either party change its communication means, it shall notify the other party, according to this article, as soon as possible.

 

 

Article 13

Applicable Laws and Dispute Resolution

 

 

13.1

This agreement and its interpretation shall be governed by the laws of PRC.

 

 

13.2

Any dispute arising from, or in connection with, this agreement, shall be settled by the parties through consultation. In the event that such dispute cannot be settled through consultation, any party may submit the dispute to Beijing Arbitration Commission (or its subsequent arbitration institutes) for arbitration in accordance with its rules of arbitration in effect at the time of applying for arbitration. The arbitral award is final and binding upon both parties.

 

 

- 277 -

 


 

Article 14

Definitions and Interpretations

 

 

14.1

In this agreement, unless otherwise defined in the context, following terms used herein have the following meanings:

 

 

 

Government Prescribed Price: means price determined by laws, regulations, decisions, orders issued by central government, provincial government or other regulatory bodies of the People's Republic of China or especially for certain products and services.

 

 

 

Government Guidance Price: means price decided by laws, regulations, decisions, orders made by central government, provincial government or other regulatory bodies of the People's Republic of China or according to certain products and services, which can be determined by both parties to the transaction to a certain degree.

 

 

 

Market Price: means price decided by the following order: (1) the price at which the same type of services is provided by independent third parties under normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of their businesses in the same area, in the vicinity; Or (2), when the above (1) is not applicable, price at which the same type of services is provided by independent third parties under normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of their businesses in China.

 

 

 

Contractual Price: means the reasonable cost plus reasonable profit for provision of such products or services as agreed upon by parties hereto. In this agreement, reasonable cost refers to the cost (including sales tax and surcharges) confirmed by parties hereto after arm's length negotiations and permitted by the PRC accounting system, reasonable profit refers to the profit not exceeding 5% of the said reasonable costs.

 

 

14.2

Unless otherwise stipulated, in this agreement:

 

 

 

(1)

One party includes its successors;

 

 

 

 

(2)

Headings of this agreement are only for convenience of inspection, and shall not have legal bindings nor affect the interpretations of this agreement.

 

 

 

Article 15

Supplementary Provisions

 

 

15.1

The agreement shall be written in Chinese.

 

 

15.2

This agreement is executed in sextuplicate, and each party hereto shall hold three originals. All the originals are equally authentic.

 

 

15.3

In witness whereof, each party hereto has caused this agreement to be executed on the date first set forth above.

 

 

China Aluminum Corporation (seal)

 

Legal representative (signature):

 

Guo Shengkun

 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (seal)

 

Authorized representative (signature):

 

Xiong Weiping

 

- 278 -

 


 

Annex 1: Pricing Policies for Mutual Provision of Production Supplies and Services

 

 

Production Supplies and Services

Pricing policy

 

 

 

Provided to Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

 

I.

Production supplies

 

 

 

 

1

Carbon ring

Market price

2

Carbon product

Market price

3

Cement

Market price

4

Coal

Market price

5

Oxygen

Market price

6

Bottled water

Market price

7

Steam

Market price

8

Fire brick

Market price

9

Aluminium fluorides and cryolite

Market price

10

Lubricant

Market price

11

Resin

Market price

12

Clinker

Market price

13

Fabricated aluminum

Market price

14

Others

Market price

 

 

 

II.

Transportation and loading services

 

 

 

 

1

Vehicle transportation

Contractual Price

2

Loading

Contractual Price

3

Railway transportation

Contractual Price

4

Others

Contractual Price

 

 

 

III.

Ancillary production services

 

 

 

 

1

Communication

Contractual Price

2

Repair

Contractual Price

3

Processing and fabrication,

Contractual Price

4

Inspection

Contractual Price

5

Engineering design

Government Guidance Price

6

Environmental protection

Contractual Price

7

Road maintenance

Contractual Price

8

Others

Contractual Price

 

 

 

Provided to China Aluminum Corporation

 

I.

Production supplies

 

 

 

 

1

Alumina

Market price

2

Aluminum

Market price

3

Waste residues

Market price

4

Pitch

Market price

5

Others

Market price

 

 

 

II.

Ancillary production services

 

 

 

 

1

Power supply

Government Prescribed Price

2

Gas supply

Contractual Price

3

Heat supply

Contractual Price

4

Water supply

Contractual Price

5

Repair

Contractual Price

6

Measurement

Contractual Price

7

Inspection

Contractual Price

8

Spare parts

Contractual Price

9

Transportation

Contractual Price

10

Steam

Contractual Price

11

Others

Market price

 

 

 

- 279 -

 


 

Annex 2: Connected Transactions Summary of 2001 Mutual Provision of Production Supplies and Services

 

 

Production Supplies and Services

2001 transaction amount ('0000 in RMB)

 

 

 

Provided to Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

 

I.

Production supplies

 

 

 

 

1

Carbon ring

580

2

Carbon product

8,460

3

Cement

2,250

4

Coal

10,330

5

Oxygen

20

6

Bottled water

110

7

Steam

550

8

Fire brick

1,000

9

Aluminium fluorides and cryolite

2,700

10

Lubricant

350

11

Resin

2,750

12

Clinker

14,300

13

Fabricated aluminum

100

14

Others

5,010

 

 

 

II.

Transportation and loading services

 

 

 

 

1

Vehicle transportation

690

2

Loading

260

3

Railway transportation

40

4

Others

850

 

 

 

III.

Ancillary production services

 

 

 

 

1

Communication

330

2

Repair

1,630

3

Processing and fabrication,

300

4

Inspection

40

5

Engineering design

3,790

6

Environmental protection

5,320

7

Road maintenance

370

8

Others

950

 

Total

63,080

 

 

 

Provided to China Aluminum Corporation

 

I.

Production supplies

 

 

 

 

1

Alumina

6,370

2

Aluminum

20,410

3

Waste residues

2,170

4

Pitch

110

5

Others

1,480

 

 

 

II.

Ancillary production services

 

 

 

 

1

Power supply

12,930

2

Gas supply

350

3

Heat supply

630

4

Water supply

2,020

5

Repair

930

6

Measurement

50

7

Inspection

30

8

Spare parts

1,260

9

Transportation

1,010

10

Steam

70

11

Others

12,520

 

Total

62,240

 

 

 

- 280 -

 


 

EXHIBIT 8.1

 

A list of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited's subsidiaries is provided in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report following Item 19.

 

EXHIBIT 12.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14 OR 15d-14

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, XIAO Yaqing, certify that:

 

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited;

 

 

- 281 -

 


 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

 

 

4.

The company's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

 

 

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The company's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the Audit Committee of company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

/s/ XIAO Yaqing

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

XIAO Yaqing

Chief Executive Officer

 

March 17, 2008

 

- 282 -

 


 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14 OR 15d-14

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, CHEN Jihua, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited;

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

 

 

4.

The company's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

 

 

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The company's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the Audit Committee of company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

/s/ CHEN Jihua

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

- 283 -

 


 

CHEN Jihua

Chief Financial Officer

 

March 17, 2008

 

EXHIBIT 13.1

 

Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

In connection with the annual report (the "Report")on Form 20-F of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (the "Company") for the year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), XIAO Yaqing, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and CHEN Jihua, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

 

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the company.

 

 

By:     /s/    XIAO Yaqing

 

Name: XIAO Yaqing

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: March 17, 2008

 

By:     /s/    CHEN Jihua

 

Name: CHEN Jihua

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: March 17, 2008

 

This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A signed original of this written statement, required by Section 906 has been provided to Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

- 284 -

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

Consolidated Financial Statements

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited
Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Contents

Pages

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-1

 

 

Consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2006

F-3

 

 

Consolidated statements of income for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006

F-4

 

 

Consolidated statements of changes in equity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006

F-5

 

 

Consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006

F-6

 

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

F-9

 

 


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited

We have completed an integrated audit of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited's 2006 consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 and audits of its 2004 and 2005 consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions, based on our audits, are presented below.

Consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (the "Company") and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 in conformity with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards ("HKFRS") In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

HKFRS vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Information relating to the nature and effect of such differences is presented in Note 35 relating to the U.S. GAAP reconciliation to the consolidated financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting

Also, in our opinion, management's assessment, included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 15 on page 127 of the 2006 Form 20-F of the Company, that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the COSO. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on management's assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial

 

F-1

 


 

reporting, evaluating management's assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As described in management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded Fushun Aluminum Company Limited, Zunyi Aluminum Company Limited, Shandong Huayu Aluminum and Power Company Limited, Gansu Hualu Aluminum Company Limited and Shanxi Huasheng Aluminum Company Limited from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 because these entities were acquired during 2006 and qualified under current United States Securities and Exchange Commission regulations for exclusion from management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting. We have also excluded these entities from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. All of these entities are subsidiaries of the Company and their total assets and total revenues in aggregate represent 11% and 7%, respectively, of the Company's related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers

Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong, June 20, 2007

 

F-2

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated balance sheets
As of December 31, 2005 and 2006
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

2006

 

Note

RMB

RMB

US$


Assets

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

    Cash and cash equivalents

6

7,597,727

12,802,775

1,640,519

    Accounts receivable, net

7

961,191

2,026,162

259,628

    Inventories

8

7,234,731

9,036,382

1,157,902

    Other current assets

9

1,169,021

1,862,591

238,668


 

Total current assets

 

16,962,670

25,727,910

3,296,717


 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

    Available-for-sale financial assets

10

10,200

18,182

2,330

    Interest in jointly controlled entities

11(a)

184,399

575,794

73,781

    Interest in associates

11(b)

886,375

1,273,226

163,148

    Intangible assets

12

721,479

716,145

91,765

    Property, plant and equipment

13

39,773,607

48,637,540

6,232,306

    Land use rights

14

62,275

648,604

83,111

    Deferred tax assets

18

408,874

406,915

52,141


 

Total non-current assets

 

42,047,209

52,276,406

6,698,582


 

Total assets

 

59,009,879

78,004,316

9,995,299


 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

    Accounts payable

15

2,649,249

2,887,473

369,994

    Other payables and accruals

16

5,585,317

6,870,633

880,388

    Current income tax liabilities

 

999,117

1,704,509

218,412

    Borrowings

17

5,703,818

10,097,969

1,293,931


 

Total current liabilities

 

14,937,501

21,560,584

2,762,725


 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

    Borrowings

17

9,690,493

8,480,736

1,086,703

    Deferred tax liabilities

18

176,991

197,070

25,252


 

Total non-current liabilities

 

9,867,484

8,677,806

1,111,955


 

Total liabilities

 

24,804,985

30,238,390

3,874,680


 

Contingencies and commitments

32 and 33

 

 

 


 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company

 

 

 

 

    Share capital

19(a)

11,049,876

11,649,876

1,492,789

    Reserves

 

21,594,563

32,574,858

4,174,070


 

 

 

32,644,439

44,224,734

5,666,859

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

1,560,455

3,541,192

453,760


 

Total equity

 

34,204,894

47,765,926

6,120,619


 

Total liabilities and equity

 

59,009,879

78,004,316

9,995,299


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of income
For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

2006

 

Note

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$


 

Revenue

20

32,959,343

37,826,486

61,896,265

7,931,250

Cost of sales

 

22,095,880

25,542,555

41,894,313

5,368,244


 

Gross profit

 

10,863,463

12,283,931

20,001,952

2,563,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and distribution expenses

21

672,311

720,497

958,133

122,773

General and administrative expenses

22

1,196,123

1,489,537

2,092,669

268,151

Research and development expenses

 

132,635

113,381

113,529

14,547

Other (income) and other (gains)/losses, net

23

(47,656)

(120,720)

(564,619)

(72,349)


 

Operating profit

 

8,910,050

10,081,236

17,402,240

2,229,884

Finance costs

27

109,948

366,908

715,717

91,710


 

Operating profit after finance costs

 

8,800,102

9,714,328

16,686,523

2,138,174

Share of profit/(loss) of jointly controlled entities

11(a)

(3,953)

372

(11,419)

(1,463)

Share of profit of associates

11(b)

-

26,947

105,141

13,472


 

Profit before income taxes

 

8,796,149

9,741,647

16,780,245

2,150,183

Income tax expense

28

2,161,086

2,495,213

4,393,561

562,981


 

Profit for the year

 

6,635,063

7,246,434

12,386,684

1,587,202


 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

Equity holders of the Company

 

6,391,523

7,022,422

11,744,676

1,504,937

Minority interest

 

243,540

224,012

642,008

82,265


 

 

 

6,635,063

7,246,434

12,386,684

1,587,202


 

Basic earning per share for profit

 

 

 

 

 

    attributable to the equity holders of

 

 

 

 

 

    the Company during the year

 

 

 

 

 

    (express in RMB per share)

29

RMB0.58

RMB0.64

RMB1.03

US$0.13


 

Dividends

30

1,944,778

2,364,673

3,672,137

470,539


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of changes in equity
For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

 

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Statutory

Statutory public

Discretionary

Retained

 

Minority

Total

 

Share capital

Capital reserve

surplus reserve

welfare fund

surplus reserve

earnings

Total

interest

equity

 

(Note 19(a))

(Note 19(b)(i))

(Note 19(b)(ii))

(Note 19(b)(iii))

(Note 19(b)(iii))

(Note 19(b)(iv))

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB


 

As of January 1, 2004

10,499,900

3,493,594

592,682

563,017

-

3,836,217

18,985,410

651,928

19,637,338

Issuance of shares, net of issuance costs

549,976

2,700,674

-

-

-

-

3,250,650

360,500

3,611,150

Profit for the year

-

-

-

-

-

6,391,523

6,391,523

243,540

6,635,063

Transfers

-

9,777

685,107

651,292

-

(1,346,176)

-

-

-

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

(1,060,788)

(1,060,788)

(16,885)

(1,077,673)


As of December 31, 2004

11,049,876

6,204,045

1,277,789

1,214,309

-

7,820,776

27,566,795

1,239,083

28,805,878

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital injection

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

180,938

180,938

Profit for the year

-

-

-

-

-

7,022,422

7,022,422

224,012

7,246,434

Transfers

-

14,711

783,897

747,864

-

(1,546,472)

-

58

58

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

(1,944,778)

(1,944,778)

(83,636)

(2,028,414)


As of December 31, 2005

11,049,876

6,218,756

2,061,686

1,962,173

-

11,351,948

32,644,439

1,560,455

34,204,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of shares, net of issuance costs

600,000

3,790,469

-

-

-

-

4,390,469

-

4,390,469

Acquisition of subsidiaries (Note 5)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

853,645

853,645

Capital injection

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

582,400

582,400

Profit for the year

-

-

-

-

-

11,744,676

11,744,676

642,008

12,386,684

Transfers

-

-

3,281,728

(1,962,173)

8,554

(1,328,109)

-

-

-

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

(4,554,850)

(4,554,850)

(97,316)

(4,652,166)


As of December 31, 2006

11,649,876

10,009,225

5,343,414

-

8,554

17,213,665

44,224,734

3,541,192

47,765,926


 

As of December 31, 2006 in US$

1,492,789

1,282,560

684,693

-

1,096

2,205,721

5,666,859

453,760

6,120,619


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of cash flows
For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

2006

 

Note

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$


 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before income taxes

 

8,796,149

9,741,647

16,780,245

2,150,183

Share of losses/(profits) of jointly controlled entities

 

3,953

(372)

11,419

1,463

Share of profits of associates

 

-

(26,947)

(105,141)

(13,472)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

26

2,350,711

2,477,877

3,437,438

440,466

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

26

43,740

63,355

55,579

7,122

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment

26

20,227

4,225

32,303

4,139

Amortization of intangible assets

26

58,468

36,396

24,204

3,101

Amortization of land use rights

26

890

10,671

35,298

4,523

Gain on financial assets at fair value through

 

 

 

 

 

    profit or loss

23

514

(5,582)

-

-

Realized and unrealized gain on futures contracts

23

25,492

(5,760)

(86,633)

(11,101)

Income from held-to-maturity investments

23

(351)

(193)

-

-

Excess of interest in the net fair value of net

 

 

 

 

 

    assets acquired over cost

23

-

-

(235,900)

(30,228)

Interest waived

23

(9,777)

(14,711)

-

-

Interest income

23

(61,540)

(89,363)

(183,514)

(23,515)

Interest expense

27

120,800

404,478

673,615

86,316


 

 

 

11,349,276

12,595,721

20,438,913

2,618,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in working capital (excluding the

 

 

 

 

 

    effects of acquisition and exchange

 

 

 

 

 

    differences on consolidation):

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in inventories

 

(1,164,495)

(1,972,698)

(1,104,109)

(141,478)

(Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable

 

(985,091)

81,593

(855,407)

(109,610)

Decrease/(increase) in other current assets

 

2,791

621,348

(465,632)

(59,665)

(Decrease)/increase in accounts payable

 

(912,682)

570,521

(118,936)

(15,240)

Increase/(decrease) in other payables and accruals

 

2,167,859

46,326

(228,080)

(29,226)


 

Cash generated from operating activities

 

10,457,658

11,942,811

17,666,749

2,263,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

(456,291)

(686,432)

(766,601)

(98,230)

PRC enterprise income taxes paid

 

(1,736,164)

(2,666,171)

(3,676,188)

(471,059)


 

Net cash generated from operating activities

 

8,265,203

8,590,208

13,223,960

1,694,489


 

F-6

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of cash flows (Continued)
For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

2006

 

Note

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$


 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of intangible assets

12

(81,606)

(28,722)

(29,384)

(3,765)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment,

 

 

 

 

 

    excluding interest capitalized

 

(8,972,400)

(7,994,744)

(6,494,582)

(832,202)

Purchase of land use rights

14

-

(56,898)

(44,269)

(5,672)

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

31

53,864

18,026

201,264

25,790

Cash and cash equivalents acquired from

 

 

 

 

 

    acquisition of subsidiaries

5

-

-

(472,130)

(60,498)

Purchase of financial assets at fair value through

 

 

 

 

 

    profit or loss

 

(3,405)

-

-

-

Investment in jointly controlled entities

11(a)

(49,500)

(117,150)

(402,814)

(51,616)

Investment in associates

11(b)

(45,000)

(799,038)

(247,454)

(31,708)

Increase in time deposits

6

-

-

(3,000,000)

(384,413)

Disposal of held-to-maturity investments

 

-

11,053

-

-

Disposal of financial assets at fair value through

 

 

 

 

 

    profit or loss

 

11,441

47,754

5,540

710

Disposal of available-for-sale financial assets

 

-

-

200

26

Gain on settlement of futures contracts

 

(30,764)

9,148

83,976

10,760

Interest received

 

61,540

89,363

155,427

19,916


 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(9,055,830)

(8,821,208)

(10,244,226)

(1,312,672)


 

F-7

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of cash flows (Continued)
For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

2006

 

Note

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$


 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing

 

(790,627)

(231,000)

2,979,734

381,817

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of shares, net of issuance expenses

 

3,250,650

-

4,390,469

562,585

Issue of short-term bonds, net of issuance expenses

17(c)

-

1,943,200

4,913,400

629,592

Repayment of short-term bonds

17(c)

-

-

(2,000,000)

(256,276)

News bank loans

 

7,302,829

6,987,888

2,878,668

368,866

Repayment of bank loans

 

(5,418,356)

(5,478,648)

(6,438,265)

(824,985)

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to minority

 

 

 

 

 

    shareholders

 

(16,885)

(83,636)

(81,429)

(10,434)

Capital injection by minority shareholders

 

360,500

180,938

92,400

11,840

Dividends paid

30

(1,060,788)

(1,944,778)

(4,529,929)

(580,455)


 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing

 

 

 

 

 

    activities

 

4,417,950

1,604,964

(774,686)

(99,267)


 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

3,627,323

1,373,964

2,205,048

282,550

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

 

2,596,440

6,223,763

7,597,727

973,556


 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

6

6,223,763

7,597,727

9,802,775

1,256,106


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

1.

General information

 

 

 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chinese Characters) (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") are principally engaged in bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminum smelting. Principal products are alumina and primary aluminum.

The Company is a joint stock company incorporated on September 10, 2001 in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC") with limited liability. The address of its registered office is No. 12B, Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, the PRC.

The Company has its dual listing on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. in 2001. On April 30, 2007, the Company's A shares was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in the PRC (Note 19(a)).

The consolidated financial statements are expressed in Chinese Renminbi ("RMB"), the national currency of the PRC. Solely for the convenience of the reader, the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 have been translated into United States Dollars ("US$") at the noon buying rate in New York City on December 31, 2006 for cable transfers in RMB by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York of US$1.00 = RMB7.8041. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ at that rate or at any other certain rates on December 31, 2005, or at any other date.

These consolidated financial statements have been approved for issue by the Board of Directors on June 20, 2007.

 

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies

 

 

 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 

(a)

Basis of preparation

 

 

 

 

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards ("HKFRS"). The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except that financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss and available-for-sale financial assets are stated at fair value.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with HKFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgment in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 4.

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

New standards, amendments to published standards and interpretations which are effective in 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following new standards, amendments to published standards and interpretations are mandatory for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006 and are relevant to the Group's operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Amendment to HKAS 39, Amendment to "The Fair Value Option", effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006. This amendment changes the definition of financial instruments classified at fair value through profit or loss and restricts the ability to designate financial instruments as part of this category. This amendment has no material impact on the Group's accounting polices, as the Group's existing accounting policies comply with the amended requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Amendment to HKAS 39 and HKFRS 4, Amendment to "Financial Guarantee Contracts", effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006. This amendment requires issued financial guarantees, other than those previously asserted by the entity to be insurance contracts, to be initially recognized at their fair value, and subsequently measured at the higher of (a) the unamortized balance of the related fees received and deferred, and (b) the expenditure required to settle the commitment at the balance sheet date. The adoption of this amendment does not have a significant impact on the Group's financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

F-9

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(a)

Basis of preparation (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

New standards, amendments to published standards and interpretations which are effective in 2006 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HKFRS 6, "Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources", effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006. It permits an entity to develop an accounting policy for exploration and evaluation assets without specifically considering the requirements of HKAS 8 "Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors". Thus, an entity adopting HKFRS 6 may continue to use the accounting policies applied immediately before adopting this HKFRS. This includes continuing to use recognition and measurement practices that are part of those accounting policies. This amendment has no material impact on the Group's accounting polices, as the Group's existing accounting policies comply with the amended requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HK(IFRIC)-Int 4, "Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease", effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006. It requires the determination of whether an arrangement is or contains a lease to be based on the substance of the arrangement. It requires an assessment of whether: (a) fulfillment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets (the asset); and (b) the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset. Some of the Group's contracts are required to be accounted for as leases in accordance with HKAS 17, "Leases". However, these leases are operating leases, and their reclassifications have no impact on the expense recognized in respect of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

New standards and interpretations to existing standards that are not yet effective and have not been early adopted by the Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following are the new standards and interpretations to existing standards that have been published and are mandatory for accounting periods beginning on or after May 1, 2006 or later periods that the Group has not early adopted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HKFRS 7, "Financial Instruments: Disclosures" (effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2007), HKAS 1, "Amendments to capital disclosures" (effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2007). HKFRS 7 introduces new disclosures relating to financial instruments. The Group has assessed the impact of HKFRS 7 and the amendment to HKAS 1 and concluded that the main additional disclosures will be the sensitivity analysis to market risk and capital disclosures required by the amendment of HKAS 1. The Group will adopt HKFRS 7 and the amendment to HKAS 1 from annual periods beginning January 1, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HKFRS 8 "Operating Segments" (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009). HKFRS 8 supersedes HKAS 14, "Segment Reporting", which requires segments to be reported based on the Group's internal reporting pattern as they represent components of the Group regularly reviewed by management. Management considers the adoption of HKFRS 8 will have no significant impact on the segment disclosures of the Group. The Group will apply HKFRS 8 from January 1, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HK(IFRIC)-Int 8, "Scope of HKFRS 2" (effective for annual periods beginning on or after May 1, 2006). HK(IFRIC)-Int 8 requires consideration of transactions involving the issuance of equity instruments - where the identifiable consideration received is less than the fair value of the equity instruments issued - to establish whether or not they fall within the scope of HKFRS 2. The Group will apply HK(IFRIC)-Int 8 from January 1, 2007, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the Group's financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HK(IFRIC)-Int 9, "Reassessment of Embedded Derivatives" (effective for annual periods beginning on or after June 1, 2006). The Group will adopt HKIFRIC - Int 9 from January 1, 2007, but management believes that this interpretation should not have significant impact on the Group's accounting policies as the Group has already assessed whether embedded derivatives should be separated using principles consistent with HK(IFRIC)-Int 9.

 

 

 

 

 

F-10

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(a)

Basis of preparation (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

New standards and interpretations to existing standards that are not yet effective and have not been early adopted by the Group (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HK(IFRIC)-Int 10, "Interim Financial Reporting and Impairment" (effective for annual periods beginning on or after November 1, 2006). HK(IFRIC)-Int 10 prohibits the impairment losses recognized in an interim period on goodwill, investments in equity instruments and investments in financial assets carried at cost to be reversed at subsequent balance sheet date. The Group will apply HK(IFRIC)-Int 10 from January 1, 2007, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the Group's financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HK(IFRIC)-Int 11, "HKFRS 2 - Group and treasury share transfer" (effective for annual periods beginning on or after March 1, 2007). This interpretation addresses how certain share-based payment arrangements between group companies should be accounted for in the financial statements. The Group will apply HK(IFRIC)-Int 11 from January 1, 2008 but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the Group's financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Interpretation to existing standards that are not yet effective and not relevant to the Group's operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following interpretation to existing standards has been published that is mandatory for accounting periods beginning on or after March 1, 2006 or later periods which is not relevant to the Group's operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HK(IFRIC)-Int 7, "Applying the Restatement Approach under HKAS 29, Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies" (effective from March 1, 2006).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HK(IFRIC)-Int 12, "Service Concession Arrangements", (effective for annual accounting period beginning on or after 1 January 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Standards, amendments and interpretations effective in 2006 but not relevant to the Group's operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following standards, amendments and interpretations are mandatory for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006 but which are not relevant to the Group's operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

HKAS 19 Amendment - "Employee Benefits";

 

 

 

*

HKAS 21 Amendment - "New Investment in a Foreign Operation";

 

 

 

*

HKAS 39 Amendment - "Cash Flow Hedge Accounting of Forecast Intragroup Transactions";

 

 

 

*

HKFRS 1 Amendment - "First-time Adoption of Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards"

 

 

 

*

HK(IFRIC)-Int 5, "Rights to Interests arising from Decommissioning, Restoration and Environmental Rehabilitation Funds"; and

 

 

 

*

HK(IFRIC)-Int 6, "Liabilities arising from Participating in a Specific Market - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment"

 

 

 

 

 

F-11

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Consolidation

 

 

 

 

 

The consolidated financial statements included the results of the Company and its subsidiaries made up to December 31.

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases. Minority interest represents the interests of outside shareholders in the operating results and net assets of subsidiaries.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus costs directly attributable to the acquisition. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any minority interest. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group's share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill (Note 2(c)(i)). If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the income statement.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

 

 

 

 

F-12

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(i)

Subsidiaries (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

The following table lists the Company's principal subsidiaries. The English language names set forth below represent direct translation by management from their official Chinese names, solely for the convenience of reference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

incorporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

Particulars of

Equity interest

 

 

 

Name

operation

Legal status

issued capital

held 2006

Principal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shandong Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd.

PRC

Joint stock company

672,000

71.43%

Manufacture and

 

 

    (Chinese Characters) (Note 19(a))

 

with limited liability

A shares of RMB1

 

distribution of

 

 

 

 

listed on the

each

 

alumina and primary

 

 

 

 

Shanghai Stock

 

 

aluminum

 

 

 

 

Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Note 19(a))

 

 

 

 

 

Shanxi Longmen Aluminum Co., Ltd.

PRC

Company with limited

Paid up capital of

55%

Manufacture and

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

liability

RMB35,978

 

distribution of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

primary aluminum

 

 

The Institute of Shandong Qiyun Colored Metallurgy

PRC

*

Paid up capital of

100%

Design of production

 

 

    Engineering Co., Ltd

 

 

RMB9,900

 

process and

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

 

 

 

provision of technical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

consulting services

 

 

Zibo Wancheng Industrial Trading Co., Ltd.

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

100%

Provision of repair

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB13,830

 

and maintenance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

services for electrical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

plant and machinery

 

 

Zhengzhou Hicer Hitech Ceramics Co., Ltd.

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

80%

Manufacture and

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB5,000

 

distribution of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ceramic products

 

 

Shanxi Aluminum Factory Carbon Plant

PRC

#

Paid up capital of

72.57%

Manufacture and

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

 

RMB11,820

 

distribution of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

eleclrode

 

 

China Aluminum International Trading Corp., Ltd.

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

90.5%

Import and export

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB200,000

 

activities

 

 

Shandong Aluminum Electronic Technology Co., Ltd

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

53.57%

Manufacture and

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB20,000

 

distribution of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

electronic products

 

 

Research & Design Institute of China Great Wall

PRC

#

Paid up capital of

100%

Design provision of

 

 

    Aluminum Corporation

 

 

RMB2,000

 

technical consulting

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

 

 

 

services

 

 

Shanxi Huazhe Aluminum and Electicity Co., Ltd.

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

60%

Manufacture and

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB1,500,000

 

trading of primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum products,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the generation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of electricity

 

 

Aluminum Corporation of China Hong Kong Ltd.

Hong Kong

Company with

Paid up capital of

100%

Foreige investment

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

HK$7,000

 

and alumina import

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and export activities

 

 

China Aluminum Qinghai International Trading

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

81.45%

Import and export

 

 

    Corp., Ltd (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB6,000

 

activities

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chalco Foshan Trading Co., Ltd

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

89.60%

Trading of alumina

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB10,000

 

and primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum products

 

 

Chalco Chongqing Trading Co., Ltd

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

90.05%

Trading of alumina

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB3,000

 

and primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-13

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(i)

Subsidiaries (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

incorporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

Particulars of

Equity interest

 

 

 

Name

operation

Legal status

issued capital

held 2006

Principal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China Aluminum International Shipping and

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

88.69%

Transportation of

 

 

    Forwarding (Beijing) Corp., Ltd (Chinese

 

limited liability

RMB6,000

 

services

 

 

    Characters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chalco Kelin Aluminum of Shanghai Co.,

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

89.60%

Trading of colored

 

 

    Ltd (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB3,000

 

metallurgy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

materials and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bauxite

 

 

Chalco Western Qinghai Int'l Trading Co., Ltd.

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

81.45%

Import and export

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB15,000

 

activities

 

 

Shanxi Huatai Coal Co., Ltd. (Chinese

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

98.34%

Production and

 

 

    Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB42,000

 

distribution of coal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

related products

 

 

Chalco Shandong International Trading Co.

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

81.90%

Import and export

 

 

    Ltd. (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB10,000

 

activities

 

 

Chalco Henan International Trading Co. Ltd.

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

81.90%

Import and export

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB3,000

 

activities

 

 

Fushun Aluminum Co., Ltd (Chinese

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

100%

Production and

 

 

    Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB500,000

 

trading of primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum products

 

 

Zunyi Aluminum Co., Ltd (Chinese Characters)

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

61.29%

Production and

 

 

 

 

limited liability

RMB330,000

 

trading of primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum products

 

 

Shandong Huayu Aluminum and Power Co.,

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

55%

Production and

 

 

    Ltd. (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB899,500

 

trading of primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum products

 

 

Gansu Hualu Aluminum Co., Ltd (Chinese

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

51%

Production and

 

 

    Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB530,000

 

trading of primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum products

 

 

Shanxi Huasheng Aluminum Co.,

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

51%

Production and

 

 

    Ltd (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB1,000,000

 

trading of primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum products

 

 

Chalco Zunyi Alumina Co., Ltd

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

67%

Production and

 

 

    (Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB280,000

 

trading of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

alumina products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

 

 

 

#

As of December 31, 2006, the legal status of these subsidiaries was "state-owned enterprise". The Company is in the process of rectifying the legal status of these subsidiaries which have been consolidated into the Group's financial statements as the Directors are of the opinion that these enterprises meet the criteria of being a subsidiary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Chinese language name of the subsidiary was changed to The Design Institute of Shandong Qiyun Colored Metallurgy Engineering Co., Ltd. (Chinese Characters) from The Design Institute of Shandong Aluminum Corporation (Chinese Characters). Its paid-up capital was increased to RMB9,900 from RMB3,000 through utilizing its statutory surplus reserve.

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Transactions and minority interests

 

 

 

 

 

The Group applies a policy of treating transactions with minority interests as transactions with equity owners of the Group. For purchases from minority interests, the difference between any consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is deducted from equity. Gains or losses on disposals to minority interests are also recorded in equity. For disposals to minority interests, differences between any proceeds received and the relevant share of minority interests are also recorded in equity.

 

 

 

F-14

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Consolidation (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Jointly controlled entities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A jointly controlled entity is the result of contractual arrangements whereby the Group and other parties undertake an economic activity which is subject to joint control and none of the participating parties has unilateral control over the economic activity.

The Group's share of its jointly controlled entities' post-acquisition profits or losses is recognized in the income statement, and its share of post-acquisition movements in reserves is recognized in reserves. The cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment. When the Group's share of losses in a jointly controlled entity equals or exceeds its interest in the jointly controlled entity, including any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the jointly controlled entity.

Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its jointly controlled entities are eliminated to the extent of the Group's interest in the jointly controlled entities. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of jointly controlled entities have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

A listing of the Group's jointly controlled entities is set out in Note 11(a) to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Associates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for by the equity method of accounting and are initially recognized at cost. The Group's investment in associates includes goodwill (net of any accumulated impairment loss) identified on acquisition.

The Group's share of its associates' post-acquisition profits or losses is recognized in the income statement, and its share of post-acquisition movements in reserves is recognized in reserves. The cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment. When the Group's share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, including any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group's interest in the associates. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of associates have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

A listing of the Group's associates is set out in Note 11(b) to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

F-15

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(c)

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group's share of the net identifiable assets of the acquired subsidiary / associate / jointly controlled entity at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is included in intangible assets. Goodwill on acquisitions of associates and jointly controlled entities is included in investments in associates and jointly controlled entities and is tested annually for impairment as part of the overall balance. Separately recognized goodwill is tested annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

The Group allocates goodwill to each business segment and is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units that the Company expects to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Mining rights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mining rights acquired, including exploration costs, are capitalized and stated at cost to the Group less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses, if any. Amortization of mining rights is calculated to write off their cost less accumulated impairment losses on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of no longer than 30 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Research and development expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research expenditure is recognized as an expense as incurred. Costs incurred on development projects (relating to the design and testing of new or improved products) are recognized as intangible assets when the following criteria are fulfilled:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

it is technically feasible to complete the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale;

 

 

 

(b)

management intends to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it;

 

 

 

(c)

there is an ability to use or sell the intangible asset;

 

 

 

(d)

it can be demonstrated how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits;

 

 

 

(e)

adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset are available; and

 

 

 

(f)

the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development can be reliably measured.

 

 

 

 

 

F-16

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(c)

Intangible assets (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Research and development expenses (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other development expenditures that do not meet these criteria are recognized as an expense as incurred. Development costs previously recognized as an expense are not recognized as an asset in a subsequent period. Capitalized development costs are recorded as intangible assets and amortized from the point at which the asset is ready for use on a straight-line basis over its useful life, not exceeding five years. Development assets are tested for impairment annually.

During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, research expenditure of RMB132,635, RMB113,381 and RMB113,529, was recognized as an expense in the consolidated income statement, and no development assets were recognized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Computer software

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquired computer software licenses are capitalized on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring to use the specific software. These costs are amortized over their estimated useful lives (three to five years).

Costs associated with developing or maintaining computer software programs are recognized as an expense as incurred. Costs that are directly associated with the development of identifiable and unique software products controlled by the Group, and that will probably generate economic benefits exceeding costs beyond one year, are recognized as intangible assets. Costs include the employee costs incurred as a result of developing software and an appropriate portion of relevant overheads.

Computer software development costs recognized as assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives (not exceeding three years).

 

 

 

 

 

(d)

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost to the Group less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are included in the asset's carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. All other repairs and maintenance are charged in the income statement during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their costs to their residual values over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Buildings

15 to 40 years

 

 

Plant and machinery - electricity transmission equipment

32 years

 

 

Plant and machinery - others

10 to 20 years

 

 

Motor vehicles and transportation facilities

6 to 12 years

 

 

Office and other equipment

5 to 10 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

The assets' residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date.

 

 

 

F-17

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(d)

Property, plant and equipment (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

An asset's carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset's carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount (Note 2(w)).

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognized with other gains or losses in the income statements.

 

 

 

 

(e)

Construction in progress

 

 

 

 

 

Construction in progress represents buildings, various plant and equipment under construction and pending installation, and is stated at cost. Cost comprises direct costs of construction as well as capitalized finance costs related to funds borrowed specifically for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset less any accumulated impairment losses. It is transferred to property, plant and equipment when the asset is substantially ready for its intended use.

 

 

 

 

(f)

Leases (as the lessee for operating lease)

 

 

 

 

 

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

 

 

 

 

(g)

Dividend distribution

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend distribution to the Company's shareholders is recognized as a liability in the Group's financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company's shareholders.

 

 

 

 

(h)

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

The Group classifies its financial assets in the following categories: at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables, and available-for-sale. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are financial assets held for trading. A financial asset is classified in this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term. Derivatives are classified as held for trading unless they are designated as hedges. Assets in this category are classified as current assets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Loans and receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date. These are classified as non-current assets. Loans and receivables are classified as trade and other receivables in the balance sheet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Available-for-sale financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories. They are included in non-current assets unless management intends to dispose of the investment within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

 

 

 

 

F-18

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(h)

Financial assets (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Regular purchases and sales of investments are recognized on trade-date - the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Investments are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets not carried at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets carried at fair value through profit or loss is initially recognized at fair value and transaction costs are expensed in the income statement. Investments are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. Available-for-sale financial assets and financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are subsequently carried at fair value. Loans and receivables and held-to-maturity investments are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the "financial assets at fair value through profit or loss" category are included in the income statement in the period in which they arise. When securities classified as available-for-sale are sold or impaired, the accumulated fair value adjustments recognized in equity are included in the income statement as gains or losses from investment securities. Interest on available-for-sale securities calculated using the effective interest method is recognized in the income statement. Dividends on available-for-sale equity instruments are recognized in the income statement when the Group's right to receive payments is established.

Changes in the fair value of monetary securities denominated in a foreign currency and classified as available-for-sale are analyzed between translation differences resulting from changes in amortized cost of the security and other changes in the carrying amount of the security. The translation differences on monetary securities are recognized in the income statement; translation differences on non-monetary securities are recognized in equity. Changes in the fair value of monetary and non-monetary securities classified as available for sale are recognized in equity.

When securities classified as available for sale are sold or impaired, the accumulated fair value adjustments recognized in equity are included in the income statement as gains and losses from investment securities.

Interest on available-for-sale securities calculated using the effective interest method is recognized in the income statement as part of other income. Dividends on available-for-sale equity instruments are recognized in the income statement as part of other income when the Group's right to receive payments is established.

The fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices. If the market for a financial asset is not active (and for unlisted securities), the Group establishes fair value by using valuation techniques. These include the use of recent arm's length transactions, reference to other instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis, and option pricing models, making maximum use of market inputs and relying as little as possible on entity-specific inputs.

The Group assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. In the case of equity securities classified as available-for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered an indicator that the securities are impaired. If any such evidence exists for available-for-sale financial assets, the cumulative loss - measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that financial asset previously recognized in the income statement - is removed from equity and recognized in the income statement. Impairment losses recognized in the income statement on equity instruments are not reversed through the income statement. Impairment testing of accounts receivable and other receivables is described in Note 2(x).

 

 

 

F-19

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(i)

Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories comprise raw materials, work-in-progress, finished goods and production supplies and are stated at the lower of cost to the Group and net realizable value. Work-in-progress and finished goods, calculated on the weighted average method, comprise materials, direct labor and an appropriate proportion of all production overhead expenditure. Borrowing costs are excluded. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less applicable variable selling expenses.

 

 

 

 

(j)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents are cash in hand, deposits with banks and other cash investments with an original maturity of 3 months or less.

For the purpose of the cash flow statement, time deposits and other cash investments with original maturity more than 3 months are excluded from cash and cash equivalents.

 

 

 

 

(k)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Functional and presentation currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group's entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates ("the functional currency"). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Renminbi ("RMB"), which is the Company's functional and presentation currency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Transaction and balances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement, except when deferred in equity as qualifying cash flow hedges or qualifying net investment hedges.

Changes in the fair value of monetary securities denominated in foreign currency classified as available-for-sale are analyzed between translation differences resulting from changes in the amortized cost of the security and other changes in the carrying amount of the security.

Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets and liabilities are reported as part of the fair value gain or loss. Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets and liabilities such as equities held at fair value through profit or loss are recognized in the income statement as part of the fair value gain or loss. Translation difference on non-monetary financial assets, such as equities classified as available-for-sale financial assets, are included in the fair value reserve in equity.

 

 

 

 

F-20

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(l)

Provisions

 

 

 

 

 

Provisions are recognized when: the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount has been reliably estimated. Restructuring provisions comprise lease termination penalties and employee termination payments. Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognized even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the same class of obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax cash flow projection that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to passage of time is recognized as interest expense.

 

 

 

 

(m)

Share capital

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

 

 

 

 

(n)

Accounts payable and other payables

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payables and other payables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

 

 

 

 

(o)

Deferred income tax

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized.

Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, associates, except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

 

 

 

F-21

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(p)

Revenue recognition

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and services in the ordinary course of the Group's activities. Revenue is shown net of value-added tax, returns and after eliminating sales within the Group.

The Group recognizes revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured, and it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and specific criteria have been met for each of the Group's activities as described below. The amount of revenue is not considered to be reliably measurable until all contingencies relating to the sale have been resolved. The Group bases its estimates on historical results, taking into consideration the type of customer, the type of transaction and the specifics of each arrangement.

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Sales of goods

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized on the transfer of risks and rewards of ownership, which occurs at the time when the goods are delivered to customers and title has passed. No amount of revenue is recorded when the amount of revenue and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction cannot be measured reliably.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Sales of services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue from the provision of services is recognized when the services are rendered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income is recognized on a time-proportion basis using the effective interest method.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Dividend income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend income is recognized when the right to receive payment is established.

 

 

 

 

 

(q)

Employee benefits

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Bonus plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The expected cost of bonus payments are recognized as a liability when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of services rendered by employees and a reliable estimate of the obligation can be made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Retirement benefit obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Group pays contribution on a monthly basis to various defined contribution retirement benefit plans organized by relevant municipal and provincial governments in the PRC. The municipal and provincial governments undertake to assume the retirement benefit obligations of all existing and future retired employees payable under these plans. Contributions to these plans are expensed as incurred.

 

 

 

 

F-22

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(q)

Employee benefits (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Housing funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Group provides housing funds based on certain percentage of the wages and with no more than the upper limit of the requirement. The housing funds are paid to social security organization and corresponding amounts paid are expensed as incurred.

 

 

 

 

 

(r)

Borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortized cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the income statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

 

 

 

 

(s)

Borrowing costs

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of any qualifying asset are capitalized during the period of time that is required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use or sale. Borrowing costs capitalized are those costs that would have been avoided if the expenditure on the qualifying assets had not been made, which are either the actual costs incurred on a specific borrowing or an amount calculated using the weighted average method, considering all borrowing costs incurred on general borrowings outstanding.

Other borrowing costs are expensed as incurred.

 

 

 

 

(t)

Environmental expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental expenditures mainly include expenditures necessary to complete remediation efforts and expenses related to the handling of waste water, gas and materials. Environmental expenditures that relate to current ongoing operations or to conditions caused by past operations are expensed as incurred.

Under the PRC law, the Group is required to remediate the area that it mines. The government of the province in which the mine is located prescribes the remediation requirements on the basis of the future intended use of the land and monitors the Group's remediation efforts. Such activities are typically performed concurrently with production. However, remediation efforts at certain mines are expected to commence after 2007. The expenditures necessary to complete remediation efforts are not expected to be significant to cash flows or results of operations in any periods.

 

 

 

F-23

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

2.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

 

 

(u)

Government subsidies

 

 

 

 

 

Grants or subsidies from the government are recognized at their fair value where there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the Group will comply with all attached conditions.

Government grants or subsidies relating to costs are deferred and recognized in the income statement over the period necessary to match them with the costs that they are intended to compensate.

Government grants or subsidies relating to property, plant and equipment are included in non-current liabilities as deferred government grants and are credited to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the expected lives of the related assets.

 

 

 

 

(v)

Segment reporting

 

 

 

 

 

A business segment is a group of assets and operations engaged in providing products or services that are subject to risks and returns that are different from those of other business segments. A geographical segment is engaged in providing products or services within a particular economic environment that are subject to risks and returns that are different from those of segments operating in other economic environments.

 

 

 

 

(w)

Impairment of investments in subsidiaries, jointly controlled entities, associates and non-financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortization and are tested annually for impairment. Assets that are subject to amortization or depreciation are reviewed for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating units). Assets other than goodwill that suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

 

 

 

 

(x)

Accounts receivable and other receivables

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and other receivables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for impairment of accounts receivable and other receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization, and default or delinquency in payments are considered indicators that the receivables are impaired. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the assets is reduced through the use of an allowance account, and the amount of the loss is recognized in the income statement within general and administrative expenses. When a trade receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account for trade receivables. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against general and administrative expenses in the income statement.

 

 

 

F-24

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

3.

Financial risk management

 

 

 

The Group is subjected to the following market risk:

 

 

 

3.1

Financial risk factors

 

 

 

 

 

The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk, and liquidity risk. The Group's overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the Group's financial performance.

Risk management is carried out by a central treasury department (Group Treasury) under policies approved by the Board of Directors. Group Treasury identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close co-operation with the Group's operating units.

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Credit risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit risk is managed on a group basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits with banks and financial institutions, as well as credit exposures to customers, including outstanding receivables and committed transactions. The carrying amount of receivables included in the balance sheet represents the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to its financial assets. The relevant departments assess the credit quality of the customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors. The Group performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers and believes that adequate provision for doubtful receivables have been made in the financial statements. Management does not expect any losses from non-performance by these counterparties.

None of the Group's customers exceed 10% of the Group's total revenue and do not individually present a material risk to the Group's sales.

The Group maintains substantially all of its cash and cash equivalents in interest bearing accounts in several major financial institutions in the PRC. No other financial assets carry a significant exposure to credit risk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Interest rate risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Group is exposed to changes in interest rates due to its long-term debt obligations which are disclosed in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements. The Group enters into debt obligations to support general corporate purposes including capital expenditures and working capital needs. The Group does not use any derivative instruments to reduce its economic exposure to changes in interest rates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

Foreign currency risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Group has assets and liabilities primarily with respect to the US Dollar ("US$") and Australian Dollar ("AUS$") that are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. However, the Group does not use any derivative instruments to reduce its economic exposure to changes in exchange rates.

 

 

 

 

F-25

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

3.

Financial risk management (Continued)

 

 

 

3.1

Financial risk factors (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

(d)

Commodity price risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the Group sells alumina and primary aluminum at market prices, it is exposed to fluctuations in these prices. The Group uses a limited number of futures contracts to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in the price of primary aluminum.

The Group uses the majority of its futures contracts traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange and London Metal Exchange to hedge against fluctuations in aluminum price. The futures contracts are marked to market at balance sheet date and corresponding unrealized holding losses are recorded in the income statement for the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(e)

Liquidity risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prudent liquidity risk management includes maintaining sufficient cash and short-term deposits, the availability of funding from an adequate amount of committed credit facilities and the ability to close out market positions. Due to the dynamic nature of the underlying businesses, Group Treasury maintains flexibility in funding by maintaining availability under committed credit lines.

Management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group's liquidity reserve on the basis of expected cash flows.

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

Capital risk management

 

 

 

 

 

The Group's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

 

 

 

 

3.3

Fair value estimation

 

 

 

 

 

The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets (such as trading and available-for-sale securities) is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the Group is the current bid price.

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, over-the-counter derivatives) is determined by using valuation techniques. The Group uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each balance sheet date. Quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments are used for long-term debt. Other techniques, such as estimated discounted cash flows, are used to determine fair value for the remaining financial instruments.

The carrying value less impairment provision of trade receivables and payables are a reasonable approximation of their fair values. The fair value of financial liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that is available to the Group for similar financial instruments.

The carrying amounts of the Group's financial assets, including cash and cash equivalents, time deposits, investments, trade accounts receivable, bills receivable and other receivables and financial liabilities, including trade accounts payable, bills payable, short-term debt and other payables, approximate their fair values due to their short maturity.

 

 

 

F-26

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

4.

Critical accounting estimates and judgments

 

 

 

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

 

 

 

4.1

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions

 

 

 

 

 

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Useful lives and impairment of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Group's management determines the estimated useful lives of its property, plant and equipment. This estimate is based on the historical experience of the actual useful lives of property, plant and equipment of similar nature and functions. Management will increase the depreciation charge where useful lives are less than previously estimated lives, and will write off or write down technically obsolete or non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold.

The impairment loss on property, plant and equipment is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount in accordance with the accounting policy stated in Note 2(w) of this section. The recoverable amounts have been determined based on fair value less costs to sell, which is based on the best information available to reflect the amount that obtainable at each of the balance sheet date, from the disposal of the asset in an arm's length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties, after deducting the costs to disposal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Group is subject to income taxes in various regions within the PRC. As a result of certain matters relating to the income taxes that have not been confirmed by the local tax bureau, objective estimate and judgment based on currently enacted tax laws, regulations and other related policies are required in determining the provision of income taxes to be made. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts originally recorded, the differences will impact the income tax and tax provisions in the period in which the differences realize.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

Net realizable value of inventories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realizable value of inventories is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and selling expenses. These estimates are based on the current market condition and the historical experience of manufacturing and selling products of similar nature. Management reassesses the estimation on each of the balance sheet date.

 

 

 

 

F-27

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

5.

Business combinations

 

 

 

During 2006, the Group completed the acquisition of the following entities incorporated and operated in the PRC, which are engaged in the manufacturing and trading of primary aluminum products.

 

 

 

 

 

Equity interest

Consideration paid/

 

Date of acquisition

Name of entity

acquired

payable

 


 

 

 

 

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 11, 2006

Fushun Aluminum Co., Ltd (Chinese Characters)

100%

500,000

 

 

("Fushun Aluminum")

 

 

 

July 15, 2006

Zunyi Aluminum Co., Ltd (Chinese Characters)

61.29%

202,251

 

 

("Zunyi Aluminum")

 

 

 

July 18, 2006

Shandong Huayu Aluminum and Power Co., Ltd.

55%

412,252

 

 

(Chinese Characters) ("Huayu Aluminum")

 

 

 

September 19, 2006

Gansu Hualu Aluminum Co., Ltd (Chinese Characters)

51%

270,300

 

 

("Hualu Aluminum")

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,384,803

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

The English language names of certain subsidiaries represent the best effort by the management of the Group in translating their Chinese names as they do not have official English names.

The acquired businesses contributed revenues in aggregate of RMB3,924,075 and net profits of RMB458,060 to the Group for the period from the respective dates of acquisition to December 31, 2006. Had all the acquisitions been occurred on January 1, 2006, the acquired businesses would have contributed in unaudited aggregate revenues of approximately RMB4,593,000 and unaudited net profits of approximately RMB495,000 to the Group for the period from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. Contributions by each acquisition are summarized below:

 

 

 

 

Contribution by the acquired

Had the acquisitions took place on

 

 

business from the respective dates

January 1, 2006,

 

 

of acquisition to December 31, 2006

contribution by the acquired business

 


 

 

Revenue

Net profit

Revenue

Net profit

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fushun Aluminum

1,607,961

86,240

1,697,947

87,596

 

Zunyi Aluminum

718,455

153,696

1,297,348

189,584

 

Huayu Aluminum

1,020,194

129,469

1,020,194

129,469

 

Hualu Aluminum

577,465

88,655

577,465

88,655

 


 

 

 

 

3,924,075

458,060

4,592,954

495,304

 


 

 

 

Details of net assets acquired and excess of acquired interest over cost of the above businesses during 2006 in aggregate are as follows:

 

 

 

 

RMB

 

 

 

 

Purchase consideration - cash

1,384,803

 

Fair value of net identifiable assets acquired (See below)

1,562,775

 

 


 

 

 

 

Excess of interest in the net fair value of net assets acquired over cost (Note 23)

177,972

 

 


 

 

 

F-28

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

5.

Business combinations (Continued)

 

 

 

The fair values of the assets and liabilities arising from each acquisition are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Fushun Aluminum

Zunyi Aluminum

Huayu Aluminum

Hualu Aluminum

Total

 

 






 

 

Acquiree's

Acquiree's

Acquiree's

Acquiree's

Acquiree's

 

 

Carrying

 

Carrying

 

Carrying

 

Carrying

 

Carrying

 

 

 

amounts

Fair value

amounts

Fair value

amounts

Fair value

amounts

Fair value

amounts

Fair value

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    equipment (Note 13)

832,546

832,546

585,711

673,153

1,659,986

1,665,169

829,798

830,065

3,908,041

4,000,933

 

Land use rights (Note 14)

194,175

194,175

53,285

91,379

110,737

119,552

172,252

172,252

530,449

577,358

 

Inventories

171,208

171,208

60,068

60,068

204,379

204,379

230,802

230,802

666,457

666,457

 

Deferred tax assets (Note 18)

-

-

22,821

22,821

-

-

10,353

10,353

33,174

33,174

 

Receivables

5,826

5,826

142,569

142,569

10,000

10,000

230,556

230,556

388,951

388,951

 

Cash and cash equivalents

1,392

1,392

241,402

241,402

-

-

269,879

269,879

512,673

512,673

 

Payables and accruals

(122,374)

(122,374)

(225,989)

(225,989)

(472,552)

(472,552)

(412,491)

(412,491)

(1,233,406)

(1,233,406)

 

Borrowings

(581,400)

(581,400)

(537,100)

(537,100)

(613,050)

(613,050)

(798,170)

(798,170)

(2,529,720)

(2,529,720)

 


 

 

 

Net assets

501,373

501,373

342,767

468,303

899,500

913,498

532,979

533,246

2,276,619

2,416,420

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

-

 

(181,281)

 

(411,074)

 

(261,290)

 

(853,645)

 


 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

501,373

 

287,022

 

502,424

 

271,956

 

1,562,775

 


 

 

 

Purchase consideration

1,384,803

 

 

 

 

Purchase consideration remained unsettled as of December 31, 2006 (included in other payables (Note 16))

(400,000)

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents in subsidiaries acquired

(512,673)

 

 


 

 

 

 

Cash outflow on acquisitions

472,130

 

 


 

 

 

 

There was no acquisition of subsidiary during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005.

 

 

6.

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Cash at bank and in hand

7,597,727

9,802,775

 

Time deposits

-

3,000,000

 


 

 

 

 

7,597,727

12,802,775

 


 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, the effective interest rate on time deposits ranged from 2.25% per annum to 2.52% per annum. These time deposits have an average maturity of 183 days to 365 days.

 

 

F-29

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

6.

Cash and cash equivalents (Continued)

 

 

 

The Group's cash and cash equivalents were denominated in the following currencies:

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Renminbi (Note)

7,536,106

12,351,042

 

U.S. Dollar

57,976

239,493

 

Hong Kong Dollar

2,745

9,461

 

Euro Dollar

900

3,983

 

Australian Dollar

-

196,809

 

Swiss Francs

-

1,987

 


 

 

 

 

7,597,727

12,802,775

 


 

 

 

Note:

RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The restrictions on foreign exchange imposed by the PRC government may result in material difference between future exchange rate and the current exchange rate or historical exchange rate. The Group believes that it is able to obtain sufficient foreign exchange for the performance of its relevant obligations.

For the purpose of the cash flow statement, time deposits with original maturity more than 3 months are excluded from cash and cash equivalents as follows:

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at bank and in hand, and time deposits

6,223,763

7,597,727

12,802,775

 

Less:

Time deposits with original maturity more than

 

 

 

 

 

    3 months

-

-

(3,000,000)

 


 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the cash flow statement

6,223,763

7,597,727

9,802,775

 


 

 

F-30

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

7.

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Trade receivables

457,556

671,178

 

Less: Provision for impairment of receivables

(278,395)

(312,572)

 


 

 

 

 

179,161

358,606

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables from related parties

246,919

254,232

 

Less: Provision for impairment of receivables

(176,458)

(156,406)

 


 

 

 

 

70,461

97,826

 


 

 

 

 

249,622

456,432

 

Bills receivable (Note)

711,569

1,569,730

 


 

 

 

 

961,191

2,026,162

 


 

 

 

Certain of the Group's sales were on advance payment or documents against payment. In respect of sales to large or long-established customers, subject to negotiation, a credit period for up to one year may be granted. As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, the aging analysis of trade receivables, net of provision, is as follows:

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Within 1 month

112,013

304,522

 

Between 2 and 6 months

55,670

113,671

 

Between 7 and 12 months

39,973

8,552

 

Between 1 and 2 years

21,530

10,627

 

Over 2 years

20,436

19,060

 


 

 

 

 

249,622

456,432

 


 

 

 

Note:

Bills receivable are bills of exchange with maturity dates within six months.

 

 

F-31

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

8.

Inventories

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Raw materials

3,016,770

3,337,349

 

Work in progress

2,144,369

3,199,175

 

Finished goods

1,489,061

1,929,092

 

Production supplies

584,531

570,766

 


 

 

 

 

7,234,731

9,036,382

 


 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the cost of inventories recognized as expenses and included in cost of goods sold in the consolidated income statements amounted to RMB21,503,250, RMB24,822,109 and RMB41,016,734, respectively.

 

 

9.

Other current assets

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Purchase deposits to suppliers

652,225

1,072,882

 

Deposits and prepayments

183,962

350,295

 

Value-added tax recoverable

42,073

107,454

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (Note)

5,540

-

 

Interest receivable

180

28,267

 

Other receivables

36,775

74,001

 


 

 

 

 

920,755

1,632,899

 

Receivables from related parties

248,266

229,692

 


 

 

 

 

1,169,021

1,862,591

 


 

 

 

Note:

As of December 31, 2005, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss represented PRC treasury bonds which were disposed of during the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, other receivables were stated net of provision for doubtful receivables of RMB249,428 and RMB270,743, respectively.

The maximum exposure to credit risk in respect of the above other current assets at the reporting date is the fair value of each class of receivable mentioned above. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.

 

 

10.

Available-for-sale financial assets

 

 

 

Available-for-sale financial assets are investments in shares of fellow subsidiaries and other equity investments denominated in RMB, and are unquoted equity securities in which no quoted market prices for such financial assets are available in the PRC. They are stated at cost as a reasonable estimate of fair value could not be made without incurring excessive costs and they are not material to the Group's consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-32

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

11.

Interests in jointly controlled entities/associates

 

 

 

(a)

Interests in jointly controlled entities

 

 

 

 

 

Movements in interests in jointly controlled entities are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of the year

66,877

184,399

 

 

Additions

117,150

402,814

 

 

Share of profits/(losses)

372

(11,419)

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

End of the year

184,399

575,794

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, jointly controlled entities of the Group are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

incorporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

Particulars of

Equity interest

 

 

 

Name

operation

Legal status

issued capital

held 2006

Principal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanxi JinXin Aluminum Co., Ltd

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

50%

Production and

 

 

(Chinese Characters)

 

limited liability

RMB20,000

 

distribution of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

primary aluminum

 

 

Guangxi Guixi Huayin Aluminum Co. Ltd.

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

33%

Production and

 

 

(Chinese Characters) (Note 33(b)(i))

 

limited liability

RMB1,735,650

 

distribution of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

alumina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The English language names of jointly controlled entities represent the best effort by the management of the Group in translating their Chinese names as they do not have official English names.

 

 

 

F-33

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

11.

Interests in jointly controlled entities/associates (Continued)

 

 

 

(a)

Interests in jointly controlled entities (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

The Group's share of interests in its jointly controlled entities is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

    Non-current assets

157,963

607,188

 

 

    Current assets

198,617

615,473

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

356,580

1,222,661

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

    Non-current liabilities

17,618

639,506

 

 

    Current liabilities

154,563

7,361

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

172,181

646,867

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

184,399

575,794

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Proportionate interests in jointly controlled entities' commitments

2,116,552

1,612,295

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

41,117

50,720

14,644

 

 

Expenses

(45,070)

(50,348)

(26,063)

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

(Loss)/profit after income tax

(3,953)

372

(11,419)

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, there are no material contingent liabilities relating to the Group's interests in the jointly controlled entities, and no material contingent liabilities of the jointly controlled entities themselves.

 

 

 

F-34

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

11.

Interests in jointly controlled entities/associates (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Interests in associates

 

 

 

 

 

Movements in interests in associates are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of the year

45,000

886,375

 

 

Additions (Note (iii))

814,428

305,382

 

 

Share of profits

26,947

105,141

 

 

Dividend

-

(23,672)

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

End of the year

886,375

1,273,226

 

 


 

 

 

 

(b)

Interests in associates

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, associates of the Group are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

incorporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

Particulars of

Equity interest

 

 

 

Name

operation

Legal status

issued capital

held 2006

Principal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiaozuo Coal Group

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

30%

Coal production

 

 

    Xinxiang (Zhangu)

 

limited liability

RMB252,000

 

 

 

 

    Energy Corporation Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Ltd. (Note (i))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lanzhou Aluminum

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

28%

Trading and

 

 

    Corporation Ltd.

 

limited liability

RMB542,327

 

production of

 

 

    (Note (iii))

 

 

 

 

primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fabricated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiaozuo Wanfang

PRC

Company with

Paid up capital of

29%

Trading and

 

 

    Aluminum

 

limited liability

RMB480,176

 

production of

 

 

    Manufacturing Company

 

 

 

 

primary

 

 

    Ltd. (Note (iii))

 

 

 

 

aluminum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

(i)

Jiaozuo Coal Group Xinxiang (Zhaogu) Energy Corporation Co. Ltd. (Chinese Characters) ("Jiaozuo Energy") was set up between the Company and Jiaozuo Coal (Group) Co., Ltd. (Chinese Characters). The Company has invested RMB75,600 and has 30% equity interest in this associate. The principal activity of the associate is coal production in Henan. As of December 31, 2006, this associate was still at the development stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Lanzhou Aluminum Corporation Ltd. (Chinese Characters) ("Lanzhou Aluminum") and Jiaozuo Wanfang, both companies with their A shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in the PRC during the year (see Note 19(a) in respect of subsequent change in the status of Lanzhou Aluminum). The principal activities of Lanzhou Aluminum and Jiaozuo Wanfang are the manufacturing and trading of primary aluminium in the PRC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

In September 2006, the Company acquired 29% equity interest in Jiaozuo Wanfang Aluminum Manufacturing Company Ltd. (Chinese Characters) ("Jiaozuo Wanfang"), a company principally engaged in manufacturing and trading of primary aluminium at a cash consideration of RMB247,454. The acquisition resulted in an excess of interest in the net fair value of net assets acquired over cost of RMB57,928 which is recognized in the income statement during the year (Note 23).

 

 

 

 

F-35

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

11.

Interests in jointly controlled entities/associates (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Interests in associates (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

The Group's share of interests in its associates is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Name

Assets

Liabilities

Revenues

Profit

% Interest held

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiaozuo Coal Group Xinxiang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Zhangu) Energy Corporation Co. Ltd.

95,118

19,518

-

-

30%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lanzhou Aluminum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporation Ltd.

1,247,867

437,092

586,178

26,947

28%

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

1,342,985

456,610

586,178

26,947

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiaozuo Coal Group Xinxiang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    (Zhangu) Energy Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Co. Ltd.

150,876

75,276

-

-

30%

 

 

Lanzhou Aluminum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Corporation Ltd.

1,948,081

1,055,695

973,431

81,611

28%

 

 

Jiaozuo Wanfang Aluminum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Manufacturing Company Ltd.

890,504

585,264

277,950

23,530

29%

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

2,989,461

1,716,235

1,251,381

105,141

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

The English language names of certain associates represent the best effort by the management of the Group in translating their Chinese names as they do not have official English names.

 

 

 

F-36

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

12.

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computer

 

 

 

Goodwill

Mining rights

Software

Total

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

As of January 1, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

406,686

404,329

-

811,015

 

Accumulated amortization

-

(81,862)

-

(81,862)

 


 

 

 

Net book amount

406,686

322,467

-

729,153

 


 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

Opening net book amount

406,686

322,467

-

729,153

 

Additions

-

28,722

-

28,722

 

Amortization (Note 26)

-

(36,396)

-

(36,396)

 


 

 

 

Closing net book amount

406,686

314,793

-

721,479

 


 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

406,686

433,051

-

839,737

 

Accumulated amortization

-

(118,258)

-

(118,258)

 


 

 

 

Net book amount

406,686

314,793

-

721,479

 


 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Opening net book amount

406,686

314,793

-

721,479

 

Additions

-

22,704

6,680

29,384

 

Reclassification

-

(10,514)

-

(10,514)

 

Amortization (Note 26)

-

(23,759)

(445)

(24,204)

 


 

 

 

Closing net book amount

406,686

303,224

6,235

716,145

 


 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

406,686

444,423

6,680

857,789

 

Accumulated amortization

-

(141,199)

(445)

(141,644)

 


 

 

 

Net book amount

406,686

303,224

6,235

716,145

 


 

 

 

Impairment tests for goodwill:

Goodwill is allocated to the Group's cash-generating units (CGUs) identified according to geographical business segment for impairment testing. A segment level summary of the goodwill allocation is presented below:

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

Business segment

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Alumina

189,419

189,419

 

Primary aluminum

217,267

217,267

 


 

 

 

 

406,686

406,686

 


 

 

 

The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined based on value-in-use calculations. These calculations use pre-tax cash flows projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a five-year period. Cash flows beyond the five-year period are extrapolated using the estimated growth rates. The growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rate for the business in which the CGU operates. The key assumptions used for value-in-use calculations included budgeted gross margin and pre-tax discount rate applied to cash flow projections.

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, there was no impairment loss in the value of goodwill.

 

 

F-37

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

13.

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

vehicles and

Office and

 

 

 

 

 

Plant and

transportation

other

Construction

 

 

 

Buildings

machinery

facilities

equipment

in progress

Total

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

As of January 1, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

13,865,572

26,842,329

1,069,879

278,957

10,625,611

52,682,348

 

Accumulated depreciation and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

impairment

(4,710,847)

(13,199,429)

(590,502)

(134,015)

(21,322)

(18,656,115)

 


 

 

 

Net book amount

9,154,725

13,642,900

479,377

144,942

10,604,289

34,026,233

 


 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening net book amount

9,154,725

13,642,900

479,377

144,942

10,604,289

34,026,233

 

Additions

54,504

77,409

6,835

19,142

8,183,093

8,340,983

 

Transfers/reclassification

2,766,263

9,171,673

390,699

4,377

(12,333,012)

-

 

Depreciation

(522,206)

(1,668,296)

(283,828)

(33,673)

-

(2,508,003)

 

Impairment loss (Note 26)

-

-

-

-

(4,225)

(4,225)

 

Disposals

(18,205)

(54,217)

(8,514)

(445)

-

(81,381)

 


 

 

 

Closing net book amount

11,435,081

21,169,469

584,569

134,343

6,450,145

39,773,607

 


 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

16,597,541

35,765,040

1,357,423

279,679

6,467,021

60,466,704

 

Accumulated depreciation and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

impairment

(5,162,460)

(14,595,571)

(772,854)

(145,336)

(16,876)

(20,693,097)

 


 

 

 

Net book amount

11,435,081

21,169,469

584,569

134,343

6,450,145

39,773,607

 


 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening net book amount

11,435,081

21,169,469

584,569

134,343

6,450,145

39,773,607

 

Acquisition of subsidiaries (Note 5)

1,241,998

2,714,206

26,632

17,984

113

4,000,933

 

Additions

31,338

117,337

32,659

29,772

8,409,563

8,620,669

 

Transfers/reclassification

1,569,276

8,083,045

545,420

113,574

(10,311,315)

-

 

Depreciation

(625,497)

(2,681,667)

(123,128)

(38,231)

-

(3,468,523)

 

Impairment loss (Note 26)

(13,128)

(14,395)

(4,353)

(427)

-

(32,303)

 

Disposals

(20,671)

(90,680)

(8,484)

(547)

(136,461)

(256,843)

 


 

 

 

Closing net book amount

13,618,397

29,297,315

1,053,315

256,468

4,412,045

48,637,540

 


 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

19,171,485

47,903,394

2,061,490

401,977

4,428,921

73,967,267

 

Accumulated depreciation and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

impairment

(5,553,088)

(18,606,079)

(1,008,175)

(145,509)

(16,876)

(25,329,727)

 


 

 

 

Net book amount

13,618,397

29,297,315

1,053,315

256,468

4,412,045

48,637,540

 


 

 

 

All the buildings of the Group are located in the PRC.

As of December 31, 2006, the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment amounted to RMB715,055 and RMB2,288,231 were pledged as security for certain of the Group's short-term bank loans (Note 17(b)) and long-term loans (Note 17(a)), respectively. As of December 2005, no property, plant and equipment were pledged.

 

 

F-38

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

13.

Property, plant and equipment (Continued)

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, depreciation expenses capitalized in inventories and recognized in the consolidated income statements are analyzed as follows:

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Capitalized in inventories

96,591

30,126

31,085

 

Charged to cost of goods sold

2,083,268

2,401,900

3,336,313

 

Charged to selling and distribution expenses

2,981

2,473

4,242

 

Charged to general and administrative expense

71,295

73,504

96,883

 


 

 

 

Total

2,254,135

2,508,003

3,468,523

 


 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Group had capitalized interest on borrowings in property, plant and equipment amounted to RMB399,117, RMB304,122 and RMB193,857, respectively (Note 28).

 

 

14.

Land use rights

 

 

 

The Group's interests in land use rights represent prepaid operating lease payments in the PRC held on leases of between 10 to 50 years and their carrying amounts analyzed as follows:

 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Opening

16,048

62,275

 

Acquisition of subsidiaries (Note 5)

-

577,358

 

Additions

56,898

44,269

 

Amortization (Note 26)

(10,671)

(35,298)

 


 

 

 

Ending

62,275

648,604

 


 

 

 

All land use rights of the Group are held on leases with remaining operating lease periods within 45 years.

As of December 31, 2006, land use rights of the Group of RMB248,528 were pledged as security for the Group's short-term bank loans (Note17(b)).

 

 

F-39

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

15.

Accounts payable

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Trade payables

2,584,557

2,651,048

 

Trade payables to related parties

54,526

188,415

 


 

 

 

 

2,639,083

2,839,463

 

Bills payable (Note)

10,166

48,010

 


 

 

 

 

2,649,249

2,887,473

 


 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, the aging analysis of the trade payables is as follows:

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Within 1 month

1,804,096

2,306,560

 

Between 2 and 6 months

639,520

434,248

 

Between 7 and 12 months

131,596

871

 

Between 1 and 2 years

22,806

46,348

 

Between 2 and 3 years

7,279

5,557

 

Over 3 years

33,786

45,879

 


 

 

 

 

2,639,083

2,839,463

 


 

 

 

Note:

Bills payable are repayable within six months.

 

 

F-40

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

16.

Other payables and accruals

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Construction costs payable

1,629,934

1,561,500

 

Sales deposits from customers

1,571,884

1,577,694

 

Accrued payroll and bonus

934,869

1,027,737

 

Staff welfare payable

221,898

304,356

 

Accrued contributions to retirement schemes

12,174

21,843

 

Taxes other than income taxes payable (Note (a))

256,990

454,033

 

Unrealized loss on futures contracts (Note (b))

8,360

5,703

 

Consideration payable in respect of acquisition of business (Note 5)

-

400,000

 

Retention monies on construction projects

54,766

131,083

 

Dividend payable

-

40,808

 

Others

238,615

409,127

 


 

 

 

 

4,929,490

5,933,884

 

Amount due to related parties

655,827

936,749

 


 

 

 

 

5,585,317

6,870,633

 


 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

 

(a)

Taxes other than income taxes payable mainly comprise accruals for value-added tax, land use tax and city construction tax.

 

 

 

 

(b)

The fair value of futures contracts are based on quoted market prices. As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, the Group's position in futures contracts and options of aluminum is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005

As of December 31, 2006

 

 



 

 

 

 

Contract

Market

Unrealized

 

 

Contract

Market

Unrealized

 

 

 

 

Tonnes

value

value

gain/(loss)

Maturity

Tonnes

value

value

gain/(loss)

Maturity

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Short

5,000

83,644

92,004

(8,360)

February 2007

13,500

283,896

295,042

(11,146)

January 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to May 2007

 

 

 

 

to April 2007

 

 

- Long

-

-

-

-

-

20,000

438,423

440,178

1,755

January 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Sales

-

-

-

-

-

31,000

23,543

19,855

3,688

January 2007 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,360)

 

 

 

 

(5,703)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-41

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

17.

Borrowings

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Non-current:

 

 

 

    Long-term bank loans (Note (a))

9,690,493

8,480,736

 


 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

    Long-term bank loans (Note (a))

1,353,980

2,350,818

 

    Short-term bank loans (Note (b))

2,378,998

2,762,040

 

    Short-term bonds (Note (c))

1,970,840

4,985,111

 


 

 

 

 

5,703,818

10,097,969

 


 

 

 

Total

15,394,311

18,578,705

 


 

 

 

Estimated fair value of long-term loans (Note (a))

11,043,601

10,829,715

 


 

 

 

(a)

Long-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

The maturity of long-term bank loans is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Within one year

1,353,980

2,350,818

 

 

In the second year

1,929,140

2,082,658

 

 

In the third to fifth year

4,866,941

4,311,974

 

 

After the fifth year

2,894,412

2,086,104

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

11,044,473

10,831,554

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, long-term bank loans of RMB503,313 and RMB502,994 were guaranteed by Chinalco, the Company's parent company, respectively (Note 34).

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, long-term bank loans of a subsidiary of RMB780,000 and RMB780,000 were guaranteed by a minority shareholder of a subsidiary of the Company, respectively.

As of December 31, 2006, long-term bank loans of the Group of RMB1,187,400 were pledged by property, plant and equipment (Note 13) at the carrying amounts of RMB2,288,231. As of December 31, 2005, no long term bank loans were pledged by property, plant and equipment.

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, long term bank loans of RMB5,165,160 and RMB 4,122,160 were provided by shareholders of the Company, respectively

 

 

 

F-42

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

17.

Borrowings (Continued)

 

 

 

(a)

Long-term bank loans (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

The characteristics of the Group's long-term bank loans as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 are analyzed as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

Loan

Interest rate and final maturity

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Renminbi-denominated loans:

 

 

 

 

 

Development of production facilities

Variable interest rates ranging from 5.2% to 6.4% per

 

 

 

 

 

annum as of December 31, 2006 with maturity dates

 

 

 

 

 

through 2013 (2005: 4.9% to 6.1% per annum with maturity

 

 

 

 

 

date through 2010)

10,021,160

9,649,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital

Variable interest rates ranging from 3.6% to 6.4% per

 

 

 

 

 

annum as of December 31, 2006 with maturity dates

 

 

 

 

 

through 2011 (2005: 3.6% to 5.2% per annum with

 

 

 

 

 

maturity dates through 2009)

1,014,000

1,173,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danish Krone-denominated loans:

 

 

 

 

 

Development of production facilities

Fixed interest rates 0.3% per annum as of December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2006 with maturity dates through 2015 (2005: fixed interest

 

 

 

 

 

rates 0.3% per annum with maturity dates through 2015)

9,313

8,994

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,044,473

10,831,554

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

The estimated fair values of long-term loans (current portion included) are calculated based on discounted cash flows using applicable discount rates from the prevailing market interest rates offered to the Group for debt with substantially the same characteristics and maturity dates. The discount rates as at December 31, 2005 and 2006 were approximately 4.0% and 5.2%, respectively. The estimated fair value of current borrowings approximates their carrying amounts.

 

 

 

F-43

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

17.

Borrowings (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term bank loans are dominated in following currencies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Renminbi

836,140

2,762,040

 

 

US Dollar

1,542,858

-

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

2,378,998

2,762,040

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, the effective interest rates ranged from 3.33% per annum to 5.58% per annum and 4.86% per annum to 5.85% per annum, respectively.

As of December 31, 2006, short-term bank loans of RMB478,200 of certain subsidiaries were guaranteed by their then minority shareholders. As of December 2005, none of the short-term bank loan was guaranteed by minority shareholders.

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, short-term bank loans of RMB264,140 and RMB761,140 were provided by a shareholder of the Company, respectively.

As of December 31, 2006, short-term bank loans of RMB384,000 of a subsidiary were pledged by the related inventories. As of December 31, 2005, no short term bank loans were pledged by the related inventories.

As of December 31, 2006, short-term bank loans of RMB612,700 of subsidiaries were pledged by property, plant and equipment (Note 13) and land use rights (Note 14) at the carrying amounts of RMB715,055 and RMB248,528, respectively. As of December 31, 2005, no property, plant and equipment were pledged for short-term bank loans.

The estimated fair value of short-term bank loans as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 approximates their carrying amounts.

 

 

 

F-44

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

17.

Borrowings (Continued)

 

 

 

(c)

Short-term bonds

 

 

 

 

 

In June 2005, the Company issued short-term bonds with a total face value of RMB2,000,000 at a discount (face value RMB100 per unit) with a maturity of one year for working capital purposes. The effective interest rate of these bonds was 3.33% per annum. These short-term bonds have matured and were fully redeemed in June 2006.

In May 2006, the Company issued short-term bonds with a total face value of RMB3,000,000 at par (face value RMB100 per unit) with a maturity of one year for working capital purposes. The coupon interest rate of these bonds is 3.13% per annum.

In December 2006, the Company was granted a qualification to issue the second tranche of corporate short-term bonds with a credit of RMB5,000,000, and issued short-term bonds with a total face value of RMB2,000,000 at a discount (face value RMB100 per unit) with a maturity of one year for working capital purposes. The effective interest rate of these bonds is 3.44% (excluding other expenses). As of December 31, 2006, the short-term bonds were stated at net of discount of RMB1,934,312.

The estimated fair value of short-term bonds as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 approximates their carrying amounts.

 

 

 

 

(d)

Banking facilities

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, the Group had total banking facilities of approximately RMB37,672,000 and RMB50,082,000, inclusive of long-term facilities of approximately RMB13,963,000 and RMB17,600,000 and other facilities of approximately RMB23,709,000 and RMB32,482,000, respectively. Out of the total banking facilities granted, amounts totaling RMB13,423,000 and RMB13,680,000 have been utilized as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. As of December 31, 2006, banking facilities of approximately RMB16,200,000 will be subject to renewals in 2007. The Directors of the Company are confident that such banking facilities can be renewed upon expiration

 

 

 

18.

Deferred income tax

 

 

 

Deferred income tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using the respective applicable rates.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income taxes relate to the same tax authority. The offset amounts are as follows:

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

- Deferred tax asset to be recovered after more than 12 months

90,229

64,679

 

- Deferred tax asset to be recovered within 12 months

318,645

342,236

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

408,874

406,915

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

- Deferred tax liabilities to be settled after more than 12 months

176,991

197,070

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

231,883

209,845

 

 


 

 

 

 

The gross movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of the year

140,316

231,883

 

Acquisition of subsidiaries (Note 5)

-

33,174

 

(Charged)/ credited to the income statement (Note 28)

91,567

(55,212)

 

 


 

 

 

 

End of the year

231,883

209,845

 

 


 

 

 

F-45

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

18.

Deferred income tax (Continued)

 

 

 

The movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows:

Movement of deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

Provision for receivable

Impairment of property,

 

 

 

 

 

 

and inventories

plant and equipment

Accrued wages

Tax losses

Others

Total

 

 







 

 

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

As of January 1,

60,681

54,797

46,902

43,152

182,790

240,606

-

46,541

16,997

23,778

307,370

408,874

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    subsidiaries (Note 5)

-

12,860

-

12,453

-

6,732

-

-

-

1,129

-

33,174

 

(Credited)/charged to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    the income statement

(5,884)

(10,397)

(3,750)

(3,929)

57,816

17,869

46,541

(34,260)

6,781

(4,416)

101,504

(35,133)

 

 


 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

54,797

57,260

43,152

51,676

240,606

265,207

46,541

12,281

23,778

20,491

408,874

406,915

 

 


 

 

 

 

Movement of deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Capitalization of borrowing costs

 


 

 

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

As of January 1,

167,054

176,991

 

Charged to the income statement

9,937

20,079

 


 

 

 

As of December 31,

176,991

197,070

 


 

 

F-46

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

19.

Issued capital and reserves

 

 

 

(a)

Share capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares

Share capital

 

 

 

 

RMB

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

At January 1, 2005 and January 1, 2006

11,049,876,153

11,049,876

 

 

Issuance of shares

600,000,000

600,000

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2006

11,649,876,153

11,649,876

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, all issued shares are registered and fully paid, divided into 11,049,876,153 shares and 11,649,876,153 shares of RMB1.00 each, comprising 7,750,010,185 and 7,705,910,185 domestic shares and 3,299,865,968 and 3,943,965,968 H shares, respectively.

On May 9, 2006, the Company entered into a placing agreement to place 600,000,000 new H shares, representing approximately 5.43% of the issued shares of the Company (before the placement), at a price of HK$7.25 per share (the "Placement"). In connection with the Placement, the National Social Security Fund Council (the "NSSF") of the PRC entrusted the Company to effect a sale of a total of 44,100,000 H shares upon conversion of the same number of existing domestic shares that are to be allocated from Aluminum Corporation of China ("Chinalco"), the parent company of the Company (Note 37), to NSSF as part of the Placement. Total proceeds from the placement amounted to RMB4,502,492 and total issuance cost amounted to approximately RMB112,023.

At the 2005 Annual General Meeting held on May 10, 2006, the Board approved the Company to submit applications to China Securities Regulatory Commission for the issuance of a maximum of 1,500,000,000 A shares to the PRC public, and to the Shanghai Stock Exchange for the listing of its A shares thereon. The amount to be raised from the proposed A Share issuance is expected to be not more than RMB8,000,000. On February 27, 2007, the Company's shareholders approved the Company to issue no more than 1,500,000,000 domestically listed Renminbi-denominated ordinary shares with nominal value of RMB1.00 each by way of share exchange to acquire the remaining equity interest in Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum. The issuance is structured by way of share exchange with the existing shareholders of Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum other than the Company, at an issuance price of RMB6.60 per share of the Company and will not raise any funds from the public. The Company's proposed A share listing was approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission on April 20, 2007. The dealings in the A shares of the Company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange commenced on April 30, 2007. As a result, the Company's share capital increased to 12,886,607,892 shares, comprising 7,794,564,567 domestic shares, 1,148,077,357 A shares and 3,943,965,968 H shares, all of RMB1 each. On April 30, 2007, Shandong Aluminum and Lanzhou Aluminum were effectively de-listed from the Shanghai Stock Exchange and became wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company since then.

 

 

 

F-47

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

19.

Issued capital and reserves (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Reserves

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Capital reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital reserve represents:

 

 

 

 

 

    Premium on issue of shares upon group reorganization

2,403,804

2,403,804

 

 

 

    Premium on subsequent issue of shares to the public

3,504,128

7,294,597

 

 

 

    Gain on waiver of interest

171,964

171,964

 

 

 

    Other reserve

138,860

138,860

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,218,756

10,009,225

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital reserve can only be used to increase share capital. Pursuant to the PRC accounting standards on debt restructuring, any gains arising from debt restructuring which represent the difference between the final settlement and the carrying value of the debt concerned are directly reflected in capital reserve and therefore not distributable. Accordingly, a transfer has been made from retained earnings to reflect its non-distributable nature.

Other reserve represents contributions from Chinalco in respect of subsidies contributed by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC to Chinalco to support certain technical improvement projects of the Group. Pursuant to relevant PRC regulations, these subsidies should be treated as the equity interest of Chinalco; therefore can only be used to increase Chinalco's shares in the Company in the event that new issuance of shares is made in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Statutory surplus reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with relevant PRC laws and financial regulations, every year the Company is required to transfer 10% of the profit after taxation prepared in accordance with PRC accounting standards to the statutory surplus reserve until the balance reaches 50% of the paid-up share capital. Such reserve can be used to reduce any losses incurred and to increase share capital. Statutory surplus reserve balance should not fall below 25% of the registered capital after the placing.

 

 

 

 

F-48

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

19.

Issued capital and reserves (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Reserves (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Statutory public welfare fund and discretionary surplus reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with relevant PRC laws and financial regulations, every year the Company is required to transfer between 5% to 10% of the profit after taxation prepared in accordance with PRC accounting standards to the statutory public welfare fund. The use of this fund is restricted to capital expenditure for employees' collective welfare facilities, the ownership in respect of which belongs to the Group. The statutory public welfare fund is not available for distribution to shareholders except under liquidation. Once any capital expenditure on staff welfare facilities has been made, an equivalent amount must be transferred from the statutory public welfare fund to the discretionary surplus reserve, a reserve which can be used to reduce any losses incurred or to increase share capital.

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Board of Directors determined on an annual basis the percentage of the profit after tax, as determined under the PRC accounting standards and regulations, to be appropriated to the statutory public welfare fund. Starting from January 1, 2006 onward, the Company is prohibited from providing further appropriation out of net profit to statutory public welfare fund pursuant to the revised Company Law. The balance of statutory public welfare fund as at January 1, 2006 was converted into statutory surplus reserve fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Retained earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed final dividend (Note 30)

2,364,673

1,481,960

 

 

 

Others

8,987,275

15,731,705

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,351,948

17,213,665

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained by:

 

 

 

 

 

Company and subsidiaries

11,329,684

17,097,679

 

 

 

Jointly controlled entities

(4,683)

(16,102)

 

 

 

Associates

26,947

132,088

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,351,948

17,213,665

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

F-49

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

20.

Turnover, revenue and segment information

 

 

 

The Group is principally engaged in the production and distribution of alumina and primary aluminum. Revenues recognized during the year are as follows:

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

    Sales of goods and services, net of value-added tax

32,313,076

37,110,319

61,015,134

 


 

 

 

Other revenues (Note)

 

 

 

 

    Rendering of services

33,145

114,211

138,401

 

    Sales of scrap and other materials

339,585

303,200

376,598

 

    Supply of electricity, heat, gas and water

273,537

298,756

366,132

 


 

 

 

 

646,267

716,167

881,131

 


 

 

 

Total revenues

32,959,343

37,826,486

61,896,265

 


 

 

 

Note:

Total other revenues and related cost of sales were previously classified as "net other revenues and gains" for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005. They were separately presented as part of the total revenue and cost of sales in the consolidated income statement for the year ended December 31, 2006, and related amounts for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 have been reclassified to conform to the current year classification.

Rendering of services mainly comprises revenues from the provision of transportation, machinery processing and production design services.

Primary reporting format - business segments

The Group is organized in the PRC into two main business segments:

 

 

 

*

Alumina segment - comprising mining and processing of bauxite into alumina and the associated distribution activities.

 

 

 

 

*

Primary aluminum segment - comprising production of primary aluminum and the associated distribution activities.

 

 

 

 

In addition, the Group also provides other services.

Activities of the headquarters and other operations of the Group, comprising research and development related to alumina and primary aluminum business carried out by Zhengzhou Research Institute and minor production and distribution of alumina hydrate, are grouped under corporate and other services segment.

All inter-segment and inter-plant sales are made at prices approximate to market prices.

 

 

F-50

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

20.

Turnover, revenue and segment information (Continued)

 

 

 

Primary reporting format - business segments (Continued)

Segment assets consist primarily of intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, inventories, receivables and operating cash, and exclude assets not dedicated to a particular segment. Segment liabilities consist primarily of operating liabilities and exclude liabilities not dedicated to a particular segment.

Capital expenditure comprises additions to intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, including additions resulting from acquisitions through purchases of subsidiaries, investments in jointly controlled entities and associates.

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2004

 

 


 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary

and other

Inter-segment

 

 

 

 

Alumina

aluminum

services

elimination

Unallocated

Group total

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    External sales

20,497,545

11,720,415

95,116

-

-

32,313,076

 

    Inter-segment sales

4,226,150

-

-

(4,226,150)

-

-

 


 

 

 

 

24,723,695

11,720,415

95,116

(4,226,150)

-

32,313,076

 


 

 

 

Operating profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    (loss)/Segment results

9,333,353

(43,875)

(76,906)

(21,091)

(281,431)

8,910,050

 


 

 

 

Finance costs

 

 

 

 

 

(109,948)

 

Share of losses of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    jointly controlled entities

-

(3,953)

-

-

-

(3,953)

 

    Share of profits of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        an associates

-

-

-

-

-

-

 


 

 

 

Profit before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

8,796,149

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

(2,161,086)

 


 

 

 

Profit for the year

 

 

 

 

 

6,635,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other segment items included in the income statement are as follows:

 

 

 

Depreciation and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    amortization

1,651,211

701,764

30,764

-

26,330

2,410,069

 

Impairment loss on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    property, plant and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    equipment

10,902

9,325

-

-

-

20,227

 

Provision for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    obsolete inventories

35,065

8,800

-

-

-

43,865

 

Provision for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    impairment of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    receivables

9,317

1,066

512

-

-

10,895

 


 

 

 

The segment assets and liabilities as at December 31, 2004 for the year then ended are as follows:

 

 

 

Assets

29,688,156

15,849,283

4,317,420

(749,361)

452,571

49,558,069

 

Liabilities

10,213,143

6,077,356

718,356

(749,361)

4,492,697

20,752,191

 

Capital expenditure

5,398,997

5,257,407

76,841

-

208,411

10,941,656

 


 

 

F-51

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

20.

Turnover, revenue and segment information (Continued)

 

 

 

Primary reporting format - business segments (Continued)

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2005

 

 


 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary

and other

Inter-segment

 

 

 

 

Alumina

aluminum

services

elimination

Unallocated

Group total

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    External sales

22,853,792

14,128,496

128,031

-

-

37,110,319

 

    Inter-segment sales

5,191,749

-

-

(5,191,749)

-

-

 


 

 

 

 

28,045,541

14,128,496

128,031

(5,191,749)

-

37,110,319

 


 

 

 

Operating profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    (loss)/Segment results

10,312,306

231,940

(48,438)

(107,968)

(306,604)

10,081,236

 


 

 

 

Finance costs

 

 

 

 

 

(366,908)

 

Share of profit of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    jointly controlled entities

-

372

-

-

-

372

 

Share of profits of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    an associates

-

26,947

-

-

-

26,947

 


 

 

 

Profit before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

9,741,647

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

(2,495,213)

 


 

 

 

Profit for the year

 

 

 

 

 

7,246,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other segment items included in the income statement are as follows:

 

 

 

Depreciation and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    amortization

1,713,281

743,264

41,177

-

27,222

2,524,944

 

Impairment loss on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    property, plant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    and equipment

4,225

-

-

-

-

4,225

 

Provision for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    obsolete inventories

11,337

1,847

-

-

-

13,184

 

Provision for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    impairment of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    receivables

19,566

5,267

635

-

-

25,468

 


 

 

 

The segment assets and liabilities as at December 31, 2005 for the year then ended are as follows:

 

 

 

Assets

35,445,213

16,563,819

6,153,200

(643,867)

1,491,514

59,009,879

 

Liabilities

9,373,274

6,332,311

4,767,800

(643,867)

4,975,467

24,804,985

 

Capital expenditure

5,369,606

2,793,892

124,811

-

129,623

8,417,932

 


 

 

F-52

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

20.

Turnover, revenue and segment information (Continued)

 

 

 

Primary reporting format - business segments (Continued)

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2006

 

 


 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary

and other

Inter-segment

 

 

 

 

Alumina

aluminum

services

elimination

Unallocated

Group total

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    External sales

27,008,668

33,256,788

749,678

-

-

61,015,134

 

    Inter-segment sales

10,603,395

-

-

(10,603,395)

-

-

 


 

 

 

 

37,612,063

33,256,788

749,678

(10,603,395)

-

61,015,134

 


 

 

 

Operating profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    (loss)/Segment results

13,341,914

4,476,108

(54,493)

(162,509)

(198,780)

17,402,240

 


 

 

 

Finance costs

 

 

 

 

 

(715,717)

 

Share of losses of jointly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    controlled entities

-

(11,419)

-

-

-

(11,419)

 

Share of profits of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    associates

-

105,141

-

-

-

105,141

 


 

 

 

Profit before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

16,780,245

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

(4,393,561)

 


 

 

 

Profit for the year

 

 

 

 

 

12,386,684

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Other segment items included in the income statement are as follows:

 

 

 

Depreciation and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    amortization

2,014,922

1,360,283

19,967

-

101,768

3,496,940

 

Impairment loss on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    property, plant and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    equipment

21,976

10,327

-

-

-

32,303

 

Provision for obsolete inventories

29,350

17,019

-

-

-

46,369

 

Provision for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    impairment of receivables

2,612

8,447

1,049

-

-

12,108

 


 

 

 

The segment assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2006 for the year then ended are as follows:

 

 

 

Assets

42,512,021

25,776,569

8,647,645

(1,028,076)

2,096,157

78,004,316

 

Liabilities

7,070,077

11,463,285

8,700,147

(1,028,076)

4,032,957

30,238,390

 

Capital expenditure

3,554,884

4,324,238

122,214

-

692,986

8,694,322

 


 

 

 

Secondary reporting format - geographical segments

The Group's operations are principally carried out in the PRC and the related assets are located there. Accordingly, no geographical segments are presented.

 

 

F-53

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

21.

Selling and distribution expenses

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Transportation and loading

313,692

396,652

567,522

 

Packaging expenses

193,968

157,570

183,871

 

Port expenses

38,321

32,197

44,147

 

Salaries and welfare expenses

27,179

30,939

28,615

 

Sales commission and other handling fee

15,922

23,206

16,150

 

Marketing and advertising (Note)

24,779

33,780

39,073

 

Depreciation - non production property, plant and equipment

2,982

2,473

4,242

 

Others

55,468

43,680

74,513

 


 

 

 

 

672,311

720,497

958,133

 


 

 

 

Note:

Marketing and advertising expenses were previously classified as "general and administrative expenses" for the years ended December 2004 and 2005. They were reclassified as "selling and distribution expenses" for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

22.

General and administrative expenses

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Salaries and welfare expenses

393,777

466,196

561,149

 

Taxes other than income taxes (Note)

327,978

383,925

599,291

 

Depreciation - non production property, plant and equipment

71,295

73,504

96,883

 

Amortization - land use rights

890

10,671

35,298

 

Amortization - goodwill

24,648

-

-

 

Traveling and entertainment

68,115

84,023

152,859

 

Utilities and office supplies

43,588

47,442

60,473

 

Repairs and maintenance

19,431

23,209

33,883

 

Insurance

37,096

46,539

54,512

 

Rental expenses

69,725

58,000

94,713

 

Pre-operation expenses

-

42,379

7,934

 

Legal and professional fees

38,122

44,971

73,979

 

Auditor's remuneration

 

 

 

 

    -audit fees

14,210

14,660

30,000

 

    -audit related fees

4,097

9,291

4,253

 

    -other fees

1,197

978

781

 

Others

81,954

183,749

286,661

 


 

 

 

 

1,196,123

1,489,537

2,092,669

 


 

 

 

Note:

Taxes other than income taxes mainly comprise land use tax, property tax and stamp duty.

 

 

F-54

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

23.

Other income and other gains/ (losses), net

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

    Interest income

61,540

89,363

183,514

 

    Income from held-to-maturity investments

351

193

-

 

    Interest waived (Note (a))

9,777

14,711

-

 

    Government grants (Note (b))

4,512

5,440

58,515

 


 

 

 

 

76,180

109,707

242,029

 


 

 

 

Other gains/ (losses)

 

 

 

 

    Realized and unrealized gain on future contracts, net

(25,492)

5,760

86,633

 

    Gain on sales of financial assets at fair value through

 

 

 

 

        profit or loss

(514)

5,582

-

 

    Excess of interest in the net fair value of net assets

 

 

 

 

        acquired over cost arising from acquisitions of

 

 

 

 

        - subsidiaries (Note 5)

-

-

177,972

 

        - an associate (Note 11(b)(ii))

-

-

57,928

 

    Others

(2,518)

(329)

57

 


 

 

 

 

(28,524)

11,013

322,590

 


 

 

 

 

47,656

120,720

564,619

 


 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

 

(a)

In 2005, the Company entered into an interest waiver agreement with the State Development Planning Commission to settle in full the outstanding loans of RMB19,000, under which the agreement the interest payable on the outstanding loans was waived. In 2004, the gain was related to an interest waiver arrangement made between the Company and a financial institution for full settlement of the outstanding loans of RMB15,950 and the related interest payable was waived.

 

 

 

 

(b)

The Group obtained and recognized government grants as income in respect of certain qualified technical improvement projects and capital investments.

 

 

 

F-55

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

24.

Staff costs

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Wages, salaries and bonus

2,297,941

2,317,347

2,687,982

 

Housing fund

139,532

154,977

189,840

 

Contributions to retirement schemes (Note (a))

344,391

390,713

442,562

 

Welfare and other expenses (Note (b))

531,996

546,531

648,298

 


 

 

 

 

3,313,860

3,409,568

3,968,682

 


 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

 

(a)

The employees of the Group participate in various retirement benefit schemes organized by the relevant provincial and municipal governments under which the Group is required to make monthly defined contributions to these plans at rates ranging from 15% to 25%, 15% to 25% and 15% to 20% for the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 of the employees' basic wages / salaries for the respective years, respectively. The Group's contributions to these defined contribution schemes are expensed as incurred and are not reduced by forfeited contributions. The assets of these schemes, which are operated by the respective governments, are held separately from the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

(b)

Welfare and other expenses, including welfare, staff committee expenses, education expenses, unemployment insurance expenses are accrued based on 14% for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 of the wages and recognized in the income statement, respectively.

Staff costs include remuneration payable to Directors, Supervisors and senior management as set out in Note 25.

 

 

 

25.

Directors', Supervisors and senior management's remuneration

 

 

 

(a)

Directors' and Supervisors' remuneration

 

 

 

 

 

The aggregate amounts of remuneration payable to Directors and Supervisors of the Company during the years are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Fees

863

1,097

1,098

 

 

    Basic salaries, housing allowances,

 

 

 

 

 

        other allowances and benefits in kind

3,303

2,956

3,107

 

 

    Discretionary bonus

2,200

2,265

2,016

 

 

    Contributions to the retirement scheme

56

80

106

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

6,422

6,398

6,327

 

 


 

 

 

F-56

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

25.

Directors', Supervisors and senior management's remuneration (Continued)

 

 

 

(a)

Directors' and Supervisors' remuneration (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirement under Appendix 16 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, which was effective on January, 2005, the remuneration of each Director for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 is set out below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employer's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

contribution to

 

 

 

Name of

 

 

Discretionary

retirement

 

 

 

Director

Fees

Salary

bonus

schemes

Total

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xiao Yaqing

-

762

594

20

1,376

 

 

Xiong Weiping

-

640

495

20

1,155

 

 

Wang Dianzhou

276

-

-

-

276

 

 

Chiu Chi Cheong,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Clifton (Resigned on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    October 14, 2005)

212

-

-

-

212

 

 

Chen Xiaozhou

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    (Resigned on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    March 27, 2005)

38

-

-

-

38

 

 

Kang Yi

276

-

-

-

276

 

 

Luo Jianchuan

-

566

335

20

921

 

 

Chen Jihua

-

508

269

20

797

 

 

Joseph C. Muscari

150

-

-

-

150

 

 

Shi Chungui

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    (Appointed on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    June 9, 2005)

88

-

-

-

88

 

 

Poon Yiu Kim,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Samuel (Appointed on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    October 14, 2005)

57

-

-

-

57

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

1,097

2,476

1,693

80

5,346

 

 


 

 

 

F-57

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

25.

Directors', Supervisors and senior management's remuneration (Continued)

 

 

 

(a)

Directors' and Supervisors' remuneration (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employer's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

contribution to

 

 

 

Name of

 

 

Discretionary

retirement

 

 

 

Director

Fees

Salary

bonus

schemes

Total

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xiao Yaqing

-

754

622

19

1,395

 

 

Xiong Weiping

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    (Resigned on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    August 23, 2006)

-

423

346

12

781

 

 

Wang Dianzhou

266

-

-

-

266

 

 

Kang Yi

266

-

-

-

266

 

 

Luo Jianchuan

-

555

351

19

925

 

 

Chen Jihua

-

506

282

19

807

 

 

Joseph C. Muscari

150

-

-

-

150

 

 

Shi Chungui

150

-

-

-

150

 

 

Poon Yiu Kin

266

-

-

-

266

 

 

Zhang Chen Zhong on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    (Appointed on on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    October 13, 2006)

-

506

282

19

807

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

1,098

2,744

1,883

88

5,813

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

The remuneration of the Directors and Supervisors fell within the following bands:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

Number of individuals

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Nil to RMB1,000

16

12

14

 

 

RMB1,000,001 - RMB1,500

-

2

1

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

No Directors or Supervisors of the Company waived any remuneration during the respective years.

 

 

 

 

(b)

Five highest paid individuals

 

 

 

 

 

The five individuals whose remuneration was the highest in the Group were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

Number of individuals

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Directors and supervisors

3

3

4

 

 

Senior management

2

2

1

 

 


 

 

 

F-58

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

25.

Directors', Supervisors and senior management's remuneration (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Five highest paid individuals (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 the five individuals whose remuneration were the highest in the Group for the year include three, three and four Directors whose remuneration are reflected in the analysis presented above. The remuneration payable to the remaining two, two and one individuals, respectively, are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

Number of individuals

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Basic salaries, housing allowances,

 

 

 

 

 

    other allowances and benefits in kind

979

1,046

506

 

 

Discretionary bonus

393

538

282

 

 

Contributions to the retirement scheme

20

29

19

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

1,392

1,613

807

 

 


 

 

 

26.

Expenses charged to the income statement

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets (Note 12)

58,468

36,396

24,204

 

Amortization of land use rights (Note 14)

890

10,671

35,298

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, net of

 

 

 

 

    capitalization in inventories (Note 13)

2,350,711

2,477,877

3,437,438

 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment (Note 31)

43,740

63,355

55,579

 

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment (Note 13)

20,227

4,225

32,303

 

Operating lease rentals in respect of land and buildings

217,151

242,619

334,357

 

Provision for obsolete inventories

43,865

13,184

46,369

 

Provision for impairment of receivables

10,895

25,468

12,108

 


 

 

F-59

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

27.

Finance costs

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Interest on borrowings

518,481

708,600

867,472

 

Interest on loan from other financial institutions wholly

 

 

 

 

    repayable within five years

1,436

-

-

 

Less: Amount capitalized in construction

 

 

 

 

    in progress (Note (a))

(399,117)

(304,122)

(193,857)

 


 

 

 

 

120,800

404,478

673,615

 

Exchange loss/(gain), net (Note (b))

(10,852)

(35,570)

42,102

 


 

 

 

 

109,948

366,908

715,717

 


 

 

 

Note:

 

 

 

(a)

Borrowing costs arising on financing entered into for the construction of production facilities were capitalized as property, plant and equipment (Note 13). Capitalization rates used for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were 5.26% 5.21% and 5.15% per annum, respectively, representing the borrowing cost of the loan used to finance the construction of production facilities.

 

 

 

 

(b)

The net exchange loss for the year ended December 31, 2006 was mainly due to the appreciation of RMB as the proceeds from the issuance of new H share were received in Hong Kong Dollar. The net exchange gain for the year ended December 31, 2005 was mainly related to foreign currency denominated loans. The net exchange gain for the year ended December 31, 2004 was mainly due to foreign currency deposits.

 

 

 

28.

Income tax expense

 

 

 

(a)

The amount of taxation charged to the income statement represents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Current taxation:

 

 

 

 

 

PRC enterprise income tax

2,271,195

2,627,246

4,382,581

 

 

Over provision in prior years

(21,165)

(40,466)

(44,232)

 

 

Deferred tax (Note 18)

(88,944)

(91,567)

55,212

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

2,161,086

2,495,213

4,393,561

 

 


 

 

 

F-60

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

28.

Income tax expense (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Three branches and a subsidiary of the Company located in the western region of China (namely Guangxi branch, Qinghai branch, Guizhou branch, China Aluminum Qinghai International Trading Corp., Ltd. (chinese characters) were granted a tax concession to pay PRC income tax at a preferential rate of 15%. The preferential tax rate is applicable to qualified operations of the three branches and of the subsidiary in specified regions with effect from January 1, 2001 for a ten-year period to December 31, 2010 and from January 1, 2003 for a nine-year period to December 31, 2011, respectively, as long as they continue to engage in qualified operations in their respective regions. The relevant tax concessions are subject to review on a regular basis. In 2006, the above tax concessions had been confirmed and approved by respective tax authorities.

Chalco Western Qinghai Int'l Trading Co., Ltd. ("Western Trading"), a subsidiary of the Company, located in Xining Economic and Technology Developing District had registered and commenced business in October 2003. Pursuant to Qinghai Province Development of Western Region Policy (Qing Zheng 2003 No.35), starting from the commencement of its business, Western Trading is exempted from PRC income tax for the first 5 years and is at a preferential rate of 15% for the years after. The exemption of PRC income tax amounting to RMB44,007 for the year ended December 31, 2005 was approved by the Qinghai Province Tax Bureau and the whole amount has been written-back in the current year.

Pursuant to the Statement on Supporting Fund for Development of Enterprises issued by the local government of Caolu Town, Pudong New Areas, Shanghai, Chalco Kelin Aluminum of Shanghai Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, was exempted from PRC income tax for the first year and at a preferential rate of 15% for the two years after.

Zunyi Aluminum, a subsidiary of the Company, is granted a tax concession and is taxed at a rate of 15% from January 1, 2005 for a 5-year period to December 31, 2010.

The current PRC income taxes of the Company, its subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities have been provided at the basic tax rate of 33% for the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 on the assessable profits for the respective years, except for those related to the above operations in the Group.

In March 2007, the Chinese government promulgated the Corporate Income Tax Law which will be effective from January 1, 2008. The Corporate Income Tax Law will impose a single income tax rate of 25% for both domestic and foreign invested enterprise. The existing Tax Law of the People's Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises (the "FIE and FE tax laws") and Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Enterprise Income Tax (collectively referred to as the "existing tax laws" will be abolished simultaneously. Currently, the Company and its subsidiaries applied the tax rates under existing tax laws. The Corporate Income Tax Law has provided for a 5-year transitional period for those entities that applied FIE and PE tax laws in previous years. As of the date of these financial statements are approved for issue, there are still no detailed implementation rulings released. The Group did not adopt the reduced income tax rate when preparing its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 as the above change in income tax law constitutes a non-adjusting post balance sheet event. The Group is in the process of collecting information to assess the impact on the financial statements position as a result of the above changes in the enterprise income tax law.

 

 

 

F-61

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

28.

Income tax expense (Continued)

 

 

 

(c)

The tax on the Group's profit before income tax differs from the expected amount that would arise using the basic tax rate in the PRC applicable to the Group as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before income tax

8,796,149

9,741,647

16,780,245

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Tax calculated at a tax rate of 33%

2,902,729

3,214,744

5,537,481

 

 

Tax losses for which no deferred income tax assets

 

 

 

 

 

    was recognized

3,750

5,493

5,369

 

 

Income not subject to tax

(24,905)

(58,977)

(218,644)

 

 

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

55,910

67,092

244,564

 

 

Utilization of prior years' unrecognized tax losses

(26,624)

(12,307)

(30,109)

 

 

Differential tax rates on the profit of certain

 

 

 

 

 

    branches and subsidiaries

(519,688)

(606,478)

(1,032,399)

 

 

Tax credit for capital expenditure (Note)

(208,921)

(73,888)

(68,469)

 

 

Over provision in prior years (Note 28(b))

(21,165)

(40,466)

(44,232)

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Tax charge

2,161,086

2,495,213

4,393,561

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average effective tax rate

24.6%

25.6%

26.18%

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Note:

This primarily represents incentive in the form of tax credit given by the relevant tax authorities in respect of production plant and equipment purchased in the domestic market.

Share of associates' income tax expenses, amounted to nil, RMB4,166 and RMB28,084 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, were included in the consolidated income statement as share of profits of associates, respectively.

The jointly controlled entities did not incur any income tax expenses for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

 

 

 

29.

Earnings per share

 

 

 

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the Group's profit attributable to equity holders of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 of RMB6,391,523, RMB7,022,422 and RMB11,744,676 and the weighted average number of 11,040,835,452 shares, 11,049,876,153 shares and 11,439,465,194 shares in issue during the years, respectively.

As there are no dilutive securities, there is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

 

F-62

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

30.

Dividends

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 


 

 

 

Interim - RMB0.188 (2005: Nil; 2004: Nil) per share

-

-

2,190,177

 

Proposed final - (2004: RMB0.176; 2005: RMB0.214;

 

 

 

 

    2006: RMB0.115) per share

1,944,778

2,364,673

1,481,960

 


 

 

 

Total

1,944,778

2,364,673

3,672,137

 


 

 

 

The dividends paid in 2004, 2005 and 2006 were HK$1,060,788, HK$1,944,778 and HK$4,529,929, respectively. A final dividend in respect of the year ended December 31, 2006 of RMB0.115 per share, amounting to HK$1,481,960 was proposed by the Board of Directors. Such dividend is to be approved by the shareholders of the Company at the special general meeting on July 10, 2007. The proposed dividend is not reflected as a dividend payable in these financial statements, but will be reflected as an appropriation of retained earnings for the year ending December 31, 2007 (Note 19(b)(iv).

 

 

31.

Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement

 

 

 

(a)

In the cash flow statement, proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment comprise:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Net book amount

97,604

81,381

256,843

 

 

Loss on disposal (Note 26)

(43,740)

(63,355)

(55,579)

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from disposal

53,864

18,026

201,264

 

 


 

 

 

 

(b)

In 2006, capital injection of RMB490,000 made by a minority shareholder of a subsidiary was in form of injection of net assets. No such non-cash transaction was notes in 2004 and 2005.

 

 

 

F-63

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

32.

Litigation and contingent liabilities

 

 

 

(a)

Pursuant to a memorandum of understanding dated November 12, 2001 (the "MOU") signed between the Company and Alcoa International (Asia) Limited ("Alcoa"), the two parties have agreed to form a 50/50 equity joint venture which will own and operate the alumina and primary aluminum production facilities owned by the Guangxi branch of the Company (the "Pingguo JV"). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement pertaining to which Alcoa acquired shares in the Company, if the final joint venture agreement of the Pingguo JV is not executed within 8 months of the closing of the Company's global offering or if all necessary relevant PRC government approvals for the Pingguo JV are not obtained within 12 months of the closing of the Company's global offering due to the failure of a party to abide by its expressions of intent in the MOU, then that party would be obligated to pay approximately US$7,500 (approximately RMB59,000) to the other party as compensation.

Although the final joint venture agreement was not executed, pursuant to the Supplementary Agreement of the Strategic Investor Subscription Agreement, the Company continues to work actively and closely with Alcoa to conclude the joint venture agreement consistent with its expressed intentions in the MOU.

With effort contributed by both parties, significant progress was noted, including the finalization of the joint venture agreement, articles of association and electricity supply arrangement. On March 29, 2004, the establishment of the Pingguo JV was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission.

As of December 31, 2006, the Company has not made a claim against Alcoa nor, according to the Directors, has Alcoa asserted a claim against the Company for compensatory payment. Based on currently available information, the Directors believe that no provision is necessary.

 

 

 

 

(b)

In 2006, Fushun Aluminum, a subsidiary of the Company, was claimed by several banks to be jointly liable for repayment of loans lent by the several banks to a third party and the claims by the banks are for repayment of a total bank loan of RMB971,193. In March 2007, Fushun Aluminum was claimed by another bank to be liable to the bank for repayment of bank loans lent by that bank to the third party in the sum of RMB283,681. Fushun Aluminum was acquired by the Company from the third party. The Directors, after obtaining independent legal advice, are of the opinion that as the acquisition was conducted on a fair principle and the consideration was set close to the asset value of the assets acquired, no contingency provision for such claim is necessary as of December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

33.

Commitments

 

 

 

(a)

Capital commitments for property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Contracted but not provided for

560,600

2,167,295

 

 

Authorized but not contracted for

8,465,177

6,033,229

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

9,025,777

8,200,524

 

 


 

 

 

F-64

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

33.

Commitments (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Commitments for capital contribution

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Pursuant to the resolution on June 19, 2005, of the Board of Directors of Guangxi Huayin Aluminum Co., Ltd. (Chinese Characters) ("Guangxi Huayin"), a jointly controlled entity of the Company, it was resolved that the total investment in Guangxi Huayin be increased from RMB10,000 to approximately RMB8,491,000. Pursuant to relevant PRC regulations, 25% of such total investment, i.e. an aggregate of approximately RMB2,133,000 (of which RMB701,000 represent the Company's share of contribution), have to be contributed by the shareholders in proportion to their equity interests in Guangxi Huayin as registered capital, which has agreed to be made by the shareholders in three instalments in each of 2005, 2006 and 2007.

On July 31, 2005, the shareholders of Guangxi Huayin (including the Company) entered into a supplemental agreement (the "Supplemental Agreement") to amend the Shareholders' Capital Contribution Agreement dated February 15, 2003, which further sets out the plan to increase the total investment and registered capital as required by Guangxi Huayin to carry out its initial alumina project (estimated initial annual production capacity of 1,600,000 tonnes).

According to the Supplemental Agreement, the Company will contribute an aggregate of approximately RMB701,000 to the registered capital of Guangxi Huayin. Up to the date of the approval of these financial statements, the Company had made approximately RM573,000 as capital contribution to Guangxi Huayin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

At December 31, 2006, the Company had commitment in respect of the injection of additional capital into Chalco Zunyi Alumina Co., Ltd (Chinese Characters), a subsidiary of the Company, of approximately RMB750,400.

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

Commitments under operating leases as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

The Group had future aggregate minimum lease payments in relation to land and buildings under non-cancelable operating leases as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Not later than one year

315,454

300,877

 

 

Later than one year and not later than five years

1,138,518

1,203,507

 

 

Later than five years (Note)

9,546,886

10,928,245

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

11,000,858

12,432,629

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Note:

These mainly represent commitments under operating leases in relation to land later than five years but not later than 45 years.

 

 

 

F-65

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

34.

Related party balances and transactions

 

 

 

Related parties refer to entities in which Chinalco has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control or jointly control the other party, or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions, or Directors or officers of the Company and of its holding company, jointly controlled entities and associates. Given that the PRC government still owns a significant portion of the productive assets in the PRC despite the continuous reform of the governments structure, the majority of the Group's business activities had been conducted with enterprises directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the PRC government ("state-owned enterprises"), including Chinalco, its subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities (collectively "Chinalco Group") in the ordinary course of business. The management of the Company are of the view that it has provided meaningful disclosures of related party transactions through the disclosure of transactions with Chinalco and entities in which Chinalco has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions, or Directors or officers of the Company. State-owned enterprises and their subsidiaries, other than entities under Chinalco (also a state-owned enterprise), directly or indirectly controlled by the PRC government are also defined as related parties of the Group in accordance with HKAS 24 "Related Party Disclosures". In the normal course of its business, the Group may either enter into various transactions with one or more of such state-owned enterprises and their subsidiaries. Neither Chinalco nor the PRC government publishes financial statements for public use.

 

 

 

(a)

Related party balances with Chinalco Group

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Due from Chinalco Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, included in accounts receivable and other current assets, were amounts due from Chinalco Group as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

230,609

225,167

 

 

 

Other receivables

317,691

258,314

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

548,300

483,481

 

 

 

Less: Provision for impairment of receivables

(263,501)

(220,052)

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

284,799

263,429

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other receivables from Chinalco Group are unsecured, non-interest bearing and are repayable on demand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Due to Chinalco Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, included in accounts payable and other payables, were amounts due to Chinalco Group as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

52,256

179,674

 

 

 

Other payables

623,994

798,615

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

676,250

978,289

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other payables to Chinalco Group are unsecured, non-interest bearing and are repayable on demand.

 

 

 

 

F-66

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

34.

Related party balances and transactions (Continued)

 

 

 

(b)

Other related party balances

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Due from other related parties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, amounts due from other related parties were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jointly controlled entities

17,618

14,618

 

 

 

Associates

13,587

13,799

 

 

 

Others

2,723

35,672

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,928

64,089

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts due from other related parties are unsecured, non-interest bearing and are repayable on demand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Due to other related parties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, amounts due to other related parties were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jointly controlled entities

1,748

1,155

 

 

 

Associates

30,085

25,211

 

 

 

Others

2,270

120,509

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,103

146,875

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts due to other related parties are unsecured, non-interest bearing and are repayable on demand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

Related party balances with other state-owned enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in the consolidated balance sheet, were balances with other state-owned enterprises as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2005

2006

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

    Accounts receivable and other current assets, net

1,531,743

803,036

 

 

 

    Cash and cash equivalents

7,597,727

12,802,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

    Long-term bank loans (Note 17(a))

9,690,493

8,480,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

    Accounts payable and other liabilities

1,227,076

1,527,451

 

 

 

    Current portion of long-term bank loans (Note 17(a))

1,353,980

2,350,818

 

 

 

    Short-term bank loans (Note 17(b))

2,378,998

2,762,040

 

 

 

    Short-term bonds (Note 17(c))

1,970,840

4,985,111

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Except for cash at banks, loans and available-for-sale investments (included in other current assets) stated above, all the balances of assets and liabilities are unsecured, non-interest bearing and receivable or repayable within one year.

 

 

 

 

F-67

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

34.

Related party balances and transactions (Continued)

 

 

 

(d)

Related party transactions with Chinalco Group and other related parties

 

 

 

 

 

Save as disclosed elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements, significant related party transactions which were carried out in the normal course of the Group's business during the year were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Note

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

US$

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Sales of materials and finished goods to:

(I)

 

 

 

 

 

    Chinalco Group

 

1,700,746

3,088,968

4,030,852

 

 

    Jointly controlled entity

 

52,424

45,480

11,109

 

 

    Associates

 

-

570,470

1,342,997

 

 

    Others

 

-

85,509

155,885

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,753,170

3,790,427

5,540,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision of utility services to Chinalco Group

(II)

219,952

310,438

298,259

 

 

Provision of engineering, construction and

 

 

 

 

 

 

    supervisory services by Chinalco Group

(III)

830,582

2,176,041

1,453,848

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and

 

 

 

 

 

 

    equipment from Chinalco Group

 

115,098

-

-

 

 

Purchases of key and auxiliary materials from:

(IV)

 

 

 

 

 

    Chinalco Group

 

633,664

700,829

2,558,883

 

 

    Associates

 

-

220,772

585,835

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

633,664

921,601

3,144,718

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision of social services and

 

 

 

 

 

 

    logistics services by Chinalco Group

(V)

927,252

951,247

1,044,401

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and building rental charged by

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Chinalco Group

(VI)

239,810

253,805

295,408

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headquarters' office rental charged by

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Chinalco Group

(VI)

-

44,575

50,660

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

(I)

Materials and finished goods sold to Chinalco Group during both periods mainly comprised sales of alumina, primary aluminum and scrap materials. Transactions entered into during the periods are as covered by general agreement on Mutual Provision of Production Supplies and Ancillary Services entered into between the Company and Chinalco. The pricing policy is summarized below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Adoption of the price prescribed by the PRC government ("Stated-prescribed price");

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

If there is no State-prescribed price then adoption of State-guidance price;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

If there is neither State-prescribed price nor State-guidance price, then adoption of market price (being price charged to and from independent third parties); and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

If none of the above is available, then adoption of a contractual price (being reasonable costs incurred in providing the relevant services plus not more than 5% of such costs).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(II)

Utility services, including electricity, gas, heat and water, are supplied at the pricing policy as set out in (I)(i) above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(III)

Engineering, project construction and supervisory services were provided by Chinalco Group to the Company mainly for construction projects during the period. Provisions of these services are covered by the Provision of Engineering, Construction and Supervisory Services Agreement. The State-guidance price as stated in (I)(ii) or prevailing market price (including tender price where by way of tender) is adopted for pricing purposes.

 

 

 

 

F-68

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

34.

Related party balances and transactions (Continued)

 

 

 

(d)

Related party transactions with Chinalco Group and other related parties (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

(IV)

Purchases of key and auxiliary materials (including bauxite, limestone, carbon, cement, coal) from Chinalco Group are covered by the General Agreement on Mutual Provision of Production Supplies and Ancillary Services and Mineral Supply Agreement. The pricing policy is the same as that set out in (I)(i) above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(V)

Social services and logistics services were provided by Chinalco Group and cover public security and fire services, education and training, school and hospital services, cultural and physical education, newspaper and magazines, publications and broadcasting and printing as well as property management, environmental and hygiene, greenery, nurseries and kindergartens, sanatoriums and canteens, guesthouses and offices, public transport and retirement management, and other services. Provisions of these services are covered by the Comprehensive Social and Logistics Services Agreement entered into between the Company and Chinalco Group. The pricing policy is the same as that adopted in the General Agreement on Mutual Provision of Production Supplies and Ancillary Services Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(VI)

Rental fee is payable to Chinalco Group for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Use of land, inclusive of land for industrial or commercial purposes, occupied and used by the Company during the period covered by the Land Use Rights Leasing Agreement entered into between the Company and Chinalco Group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, rental fee paid/payable was amounted to approximately RMB298,000 and RMB346,000, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Use of property as office premises according to the rental agreement signed in March 2005. The annual rent payable is about RMB62,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, there existed the following arrangements entered into between the Group and Chinalco, fellow subsidiaries and other related parties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

The Company granted to Chinalco a non-exclusive right to use two trademarks for a period of ten years from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2011 at no cost pursuant to the Trademark License Agreement. The Company will be responsible for the payment of a total annual fee of no more than RMB1 to maintain effective registration. Under the terms of the agreement, Chinalco may negotiate extension upon terms to be agreed upon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Guarantees granted by Chinalco to banks for the loans borrowed to the Group are covered by the Guarantee of Debts Contract entered into between the Company and Chinalco.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(e)

Related party transactions with other state-owned enterprises:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of electricity

4,397,107

5,429,103

7,877,466

 

 

Sale of alumina

13,835,273

13,835,273

16,905,474

 

 

Sale of primary aluminum

1,930,230

1,930,230

6,164,850

 

 

Purchases of raw materials

3,221,041

3,221,041

9,453,601

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

    (including construction services and materials)

1,221,608

1,221,608

2,856,005

 

 

Long-term bank loans (repaid)/borrowed

2,579,152

2,579,152

(212,919)

 

 

Short-term bank loans borrowed

1,069,912

1,069,912

383,042

 

 

Interest income received

89,363

89,363

183,514

 

 

Issuance of short-term bonds

1,970,840

1,970,840

3,014,271

 

 

Bank charges paid

2,159

2,159

7,186

 

 

Interest expense paid

708,600

708,600

867,472

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Related party transactions with other state-owned enterprises were conducted in the normal course of business at market rates.

 

 

 

F-69

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

34.

Related party balances and transactions (Continued)

 

 

 

(f)

Key management compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

2005

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Basic salaries, housing allowances,

 

 

 

 

 

    other allowances and benefits in kind

4,382

4,023

3,789

 

 

Contributions to retirement scheme

94

116

126

 

 

Discretionary bonuses

1,950

2,511

2,493

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

6,426

6,650

6,408

 

 


 

 

 

35.

Significant differences between HKFRS and U.S. GAAP

 

 

 

The consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 have been prepared in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards ("HKFRS") which are the accounting principles generally accepted in Hong Kong and may differ in various material respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Such differences involve methods for measuring the amounts shown in these financial statements, as well as additional disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.

In preparing the summary of differences between HKFRS and U.S. GAAP, the Directors are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the estimates of revenue and expenses. Accounting estimates have been employed in these financial statements to determine reported amounts, including realizability, useful lives of tangible and intangible assets and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Effect on net income of significant differences between HKFRS and U.S. GAAP is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

Note

2004

2005

2006

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

 


 

 

 

Net income under HKFRS

 

6,635,063

7,246,434

12,386,684

1,587,202

 

    U.S. GAAP adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Depreciation of revalued property,

 

 

 

 

 

 

            plant and equipment

(a)

269,999

269,999

269,999

34,597

 

        Unrecognized excess of

 

 

 

 

 

 

            interest in the net fair value of

 

 

 

 

 

 

            net assets acquired over cost

(c)

-

-

(224,950)

(28,825)

 

        Amortization of goodwill

 

24,648

-

-

-

 

        Amortization of revalued mining rights

(d)

9,307

9,307

9,307

1,193

 

        Minority interest

(e)

(243,540)

(224,012)

(642,008)

(82,265)

 

        Income tax effect of

 

 

 

 

 

 

        U.S. GAAP adjustments

(f)

(72,561)

(72,561)

(72,561)

(9,298)

 


 

 

 

        Net income under U.S. GAAP

 

6,622,916

7,229,167

11,726,471

1,502,604

 


 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

    under U.S. GAAP

 

RMB0.60

RMB0.65

RMB1.03

US$0.13

 


 

 

F-70

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

35.

Significant differences between HKFRS and U.S. GAAP (Continued)

 

 

 

Effect on equity of significant differences between HKFRS and U.S. GAAP is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

Note

2005

2006

2006

 

 

 

RMB

RMB

US$'000

 


 

 

 

Equity under HKFRS

 

34,204,894

47,765,926

6,120,619

 

    U.S. GAAP adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

        Revaluation of property,

 

 

 

 

 

            plant and equipment,

 

 

 

 

 

            net of related depreciation

(a)

(2,591,718)

(2,321,719)

(297,500)

 

        Amortization of goodwill

(b)

73,944

73,944

9,475

 

        Unrecognized excess of interest in the net

 

 

 

 

 

            fair value of net assets acquired over cost

(c)

-

(224,950)

(28,825)

 

        Revaluation of mining rights,

 

 

 

 

 

            net of related amortization

(d)

(243,114)

(233,807)

(29,960)

 

        Minority interest

(e)

(1,560,455)

(3,541,192)

(453,760)

 

        Income tax effect of U.S.GAAP adjustments

(f)

837,444

764,881

98,010

 


 

 

 

Equity under U.S. GAAP

 

30,720,995

42,283,083

5,418,059

 


 

 

 

(a)

Revaluation of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

Under HKFRS, property, plant and equipment transferred from Chinalco to the Group were accounted for under the acquisition accounting. As a result, the Group's property, plant and equipment were revalued at fair value under HKFRS. Under U.S. GAAP, the new cost basis for the property, plant and equipment was not established for the Group as the transfer was a transaction under common control. When an asset is transferred from the parent to its wholly-owned subsidiary, the subsidiary records the asset at the parent's carrying value.

 

 

 

 

(b)

Amortization of goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

Until December 31, 2004, under HKFRS, goodwill resulting from acquisitions under purchase accounting is recognized as an intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful economic life of not more than 20 years. Under U.S. GAAP, annual amortization of this amount ceased effective from January 1, 2002. Goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing and is written down if carrying value exceeds fair value. In accordance with the provisions of HKFRS 3 effective from January 1, 2005, the Group ceased amortization of goodwill and goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing. Accordingly, except for the differences recognized in 2004, there is no difference between HKFRS and U.S. GAAP in relation to amortization of goodwill.

 

 

 

 

(c)

Unrecognized excess of interest in the net fair value of net assets acquired over cost

 

 

 

 

 

Excess of interest in the net fair value of net assets acquired over cost arise from business combination or acquisition. Under HKFRS, the identification and measurement of acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are re-assessed. Any excess remaining after reassessment is recognized in income statement immediately. Under U.S. GAAP, any excess after reassessment is used to reduce proportionately the fair values assigned to non-current assets (with certain exceptions). Any remaining excess is recognized in the income statement immediately as an extraordinary gain.

 

 

 

F-71

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

35.

Significant differences between HKFRS and U.S. GAAP (Continued)

 

 

 

(d)

Revaluation of mining rights

 

 

 

 

 

As part of the Group reorganization and pursuant to the Mining Rights Transfer Agreement, the Group acquired mining rights of eight bauxite mines and four limestone quarries from Chinalco for a consideration of RMB285,341. Under HKFRS, mining rights acquired are capitalized and stated at acquisition cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Amortization of mining rights is calculated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of not more than 30 years. Under U.S. GAAP, the new cost basis was not established for the Group as the transfer was a transaction under common control.

 

 

 

 

(e)

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

 

Under HKFRS, minority interest is included as a component of equity and profit and loss attributable to minority interest is included as a component of the Company's total net income. Under U.S. GAAP, minority interest is excluded from equity and presented as a separate item before net income.

 

 

 

 

(f)

Income tax effect of U.S. GAAP adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

Under U.S. GAAP, deferred taxes relating to the reversal of the property, plant and equipment revaluation, mining rights and the effect of unrecognized excess of interest in the net fair value of net assets acquired over cost are recognized.

 

 

 

 

Other disclosure: Effects of tax holiday

Three branches and a subsidiary of the Company located in the western region of China were granted a tax concession to pay PRC income tax at a preferential rate of 15%. The preferential tax rate is applicable to qualified operations of the three branches and of the subsidiary in specified regions with effect from January 1, 2001 for a ten-year period to December 31, 2010 and from January 1, 2003 for a nine-year period to December 31, 2011, respectively, as long as they continue to engage in qualified operations in their respective regions.

A subsidiary of the Company, located in Xining Economic and Technology Developing District had registered and commenced business in October 2003. Pursuant to Qinghai Province Development of Western Region Policy (Qing Zheng 2003 No.35), starting from the commencement of its business, the subsidiary is exempted from PRC income tax for the first 5 years and is at a preferential rate of 15% for the years after.

Pursuant to the Statement on Supporting Fund for Development of Enterprises issued by the local government of Caolu Town, Pudong New Areas, Shanghai, a subsidiary was exempted from PRC income tax for the first year and at a preferential rate of 15% for the two years after.

A subsidiary is granted a tax concession and is taxed at a rate of 15% from January 1, 2005 for a 5-year period to December 31, 2010.

The aggregate amount and effect on earnings per share of the tax holiday under U.S. GAAP are as follows:

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 


 

 

2004

2005

2006

2005

 

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$'000

 


 

 

 

The aggregate dollar effect of tax holiday

519,688

606,478

1,032,399

132,289

 

Effect on basic earnings per share

RMB0.05

RMB0.05

RMB0.09

US$0.01

 


 

 

F-72

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

35.

Significant differences between HKFRS and U.S. GAAP (Continued)

 

 

 

Recent U.S. accounting pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 "Fair value measurements" ("SFAS 157"). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of this standard apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. SFAS 157 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. Upon adoption, the provisions of SFAS 157 are to be applied prospectively with limited exceptions. The adoption of SFAS 157 is not expected to have a material impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("SFAS 159"), which permits an entity to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. The objective of SFAS No. 159 is to improve financial reporting by allowing entities to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by the measurement of related assets and liabilities using different attributes, without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. Under SFAS No. 159, entities that elect the fair value option (by instrument) will report unrealized gains and losses in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option election is irrevocable, unless a new election date occurs. SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to help financial statement users understand the effect of the entity's election on its earnings, but does not eliminate disclosure requirements of other accounting standards. Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value must be displayed on the face of the balance sheet. This statement is effective for fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the Security Exchange Commission issued Staff Accountant Bulletin ("SAB") No. 108 "Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying the Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements" that expresses the staff's views regarding the process of quantifying financial statement misstatements. This bulletin is effective for any interim period of the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006. SAB No. 108 requires that companies utilize a dual approach to assess the quantitative effects of financial statement misstatements. The dual approach includes both an income statement focus and balance sheet focus assessment. The adoption of this bulletin did not have any effect on the Group's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2006, Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") issued No. 06-3, "How Sales Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement" ("EITF 06-3"). EITF 06-3 requires disclosure of the presentation of taxes on either a gross or a net basis as an accounting policy decision. The provisions of EITF 06-3 are effective for the Group from the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. The adoption of EITF 06-3 did not have a material effect on the presentation of the Group's consolidated financial statements.

 

 

36.

Ultimate holding company

 

 

 

The Directors regard Chinalco, a company incorporated in the PRC, as being the ultimate holding company. As of December 31, 2005 and 2006 and June 20, 2007 (being the date of the approval of the consolidated financial statements), Chinalco held 42.14%, 39.59% and 40.46% of the Company's issued share capital, respectively.

 

 

F-73

 


 

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited and its Subsidiaries

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(All RMB and US$ amounts in thousands, except share and per share amount)

 

37.

Significant subsequent events

 

 

 

Apart from those disclosed in Notes 1, 19(a), 28(b) and 30 to the consolidated financial statements, the following subsequent events occurred:

On June 13, 2007, the Company announced to issue long-term bonds with a total face value of RMB2,000,000 at par (face value RMB100 per unit) at coupon interest rate of 4.50% and with a maturity of 10 years after it has obtained necessary approvals from the Company's shareholders and the relevant authorities. The proceeds raised from the bonds will be used mainly for expansion projects of alumina and aluminum.

On June 15, 2007, the Company announced to issue short-term bonds with a total face value of RMB3,000,000 at par (face value RMB100 per unit) at coupon interest rate of 3.55% and with a maturity of 1 year after it has obtained necessary approvals from the Company's shareholders and the relevant authorities. The net proceeds of the issue of the short-term bonds will be principally used as working capital of the Company.

 

 

F-74