FACTBOX-Mines and plants hurt by low prices, high costs

Nov 3 (Reuters) - The global financial crisis and sharp falls in metals prices have forced several companies to abandon or put on hold their plans to bring new mines on-stream.

Some existing producers also have shut down or curtailed their output at mines and plants as high costs and low prices bite. Below are details of the major projects and facilities which have been affected in recent months, as well as other related news.

Nov 3 - United Company RUSAL said it has begun the suspension of production at the Zaporozhye Alumina and Aluminium Complex in Ukraine because current metal prices make the operation unprofitable. The complex produces 113,000 tpy of primary aluminium and 265,000 tpy of alumina.

Nov 1 - Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX.N) said it is considering delaying an expansion project aimed at extending the life of its El Abra joint venture with Chile's Codelco. In July, the two firms said they would invest around $450 million in a project to extend its life by 10 years.

Oct 31 - Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant (CHZN.MM), Russia's largest zinc producer, has abandoned plans to develop a mine near its zinc refinery and will slash investment after plummeting metal prices led to a first-half loss. The firm had planned to raise capacity to 200,000 tpy and to be self-sufficient in raw materials by 2010.

Oct 31 - Brazil's Vale (VALE5.SA) said it will be cutting aluminium output at its Valesul Aluminio plant in Rio de Janeiro to 40 percent of its 95 tonnes per year (tpy) capacity due to the high cost of energy at the unit.

Oct 30 - Barrick Gold Corp (ABX.TO) said it was considering deferring projects as it aims to preserve capital. The company said it was carefully reviewing its operating and capital expenditure plans.

Oct 30 - Australian miner Kagara Ltd (KZL.AX) cut its 2008/09 zinc production target by 12.5 percent, citing "difficult times" caused by the dramatic drop in the metal's price. The new forecast of 35,000 tonnes also places in doubt Kagara's ability to meet a longer-term annual target of 100,000 tonnes of zinc in about two years, a company spokesman said. The revised plans are designed to help reduce overall capital spending and will delay indefinitely final construction of the firm's Mungana zinc ore treatment plant.

Oct 30 - Kazakh copper producer Kazakhmys (KAZ.L) said it may cut copper output next year due to lower projected spending arising from global financial instability.