ZAPORIZHIA, March 27 - The Zaporizhia Aluminum Smelter (ZALK), Ukraine's only producer of primary aluminum, expects to close 2008 with a loss of UAH143 million, General Director Alexander Kotiuk said.

The smelter, which is controlled by Russia's United Company Rusal, expects production to total UAH1.6 billion, Kotiuk said at a meeting with deputies from the regional legislature.