BEIJING: Shares of Chalco, China's biggest producer of aluminum, were suspended Tuesday amid speculation that the company would buy assets from its parent, as part of a state plan to group the industry into bigger businesses.

Aluminum Corp. of China, or Chalco, may acquire the assets of Baotou Aluminum, according to Chen Yue, an analyst at Guotai Junan Securities in Shenzhen. Baotou shares were also suspended. Chalco's parent, Chinalco, on Monday acquired Peru Copper for 840 million Canadian dollars, or $792 million.

China, the world's biggest consumer of metals, is seeking to merge its companies to help them compete more effectively locally and abroad. The nation is seeking to buy foreign mines to meet soaring demand for raw materials after its economy grew 10.7 percent in 2006, the fastest pace in 11 years.

"The suspension is probably linked to Chalco's acquisition of Baotou Aluminum," said Chen at Guotai. "Chalco, as the industry leader, has sufficient cash to fund acquisitions and expand production."

Chalco shares rose 0.8 percent to 23.08 yuan, or $3.02, in Shanghai on Monday, while the Hong Kong shares gained 1.7 percent to 10.50 Hong Kong dollars, or $1.34, before the suspension on both exchanges. Baotou Aluminum shares rose 7.4 percent to 26.74 yuan on Monday.

Chalco's investor relations manager, Zhang Qing, said the suspension related to Baotou, without elaborating. The two producers did not give a reason for the suspension in statements to the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

Chalco, the listed company, said in March that it would buy aluminum assets including Baotou from its parent Chinalco. That company in January took an 80 percent stake in Baotou's parent, Baotou Aluminum Group, which held 55 percent of the unit.

Chinalco owns aluminum, copper, molybdenum and other metal resources while Chalco has only aluminum assets. The chairman, Xiao Yaqing, has said its listed arm will focus on aluminum expansion, while the parent will seek to diversify metal production.

The listed unit, Chalco, also said in March that it planned to buy more domestic plants to raise aluminum output to five million tons by 2010 from 3.5 million tons this year. The company aimed to buy smaller rivals including Baotou, Liancheng Aluminium and Tongchuan Xinguang Aluminium.

Profit at Baotou rose threefold last year amid rising demand for the lightweight metal, used in cars, airplanes and window frames. Baotou produced 262,800 tons of alloys, rods and other products in 2006.

Chinalco will pay 6.60 Canadian dollars a share for Peru Copper, the Vancouver-based target company said Monday. The offer is 3.9 percent above Peru Copper's closing price Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.