News: AWC Alumina files 'Answer And Counterclaim' in US proceedings

June 27 (Reuters) - Alumina Ltd (AWC) :

• Alumina files 'answer and counterclaim' in US proceedings (AWC)
• Says Alumina refutes all substantive elements of alcoa's claim
• Alumina has refuted all substantive elements of alcoa's claim and made its

  own counterclaim

• Alumina will seek to assume rights in respect of the sale of its equity share

  of Alumina and bauxite produced by awac

• Alumina counterclaims that alcoa's planned `separation' would breach awac

  joint venture agreements and cannot proceed without alumina's consent

• Alumina is seeking court declarations to prevent Alcoa taking further steps

  in its separation without alumina's consent

• Says alcoa's reliance on the previous western mining corporation (wmc)

  demerger as a defence is without merit