Aug 10 (Reuters) - Meridian Energy Ltd MEL.NZ :
* PUT CONFIDENTIAL PROPOSAL TO NZAS WITH OBJECTIVE OF ALLOWING NZAS TO CLOSE DOWN SMELTER OVER LONGER PERIOD OF TIME
* TO DATE PROPOSAL NOT ACCEPTED
* PROPOSED UP TO FOUR YEARS TO CLOSE DOWN NZAS SMELTER
* CURRENT EXPECTATION IS THAT SMELTER WILL CLOSE ON 31 AUGUST 2021 AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED BY NZAS
* NOTES MEDIA REPORTS SUGGESTING FURTHER DECISION ON TIWAI POINT ALUMINIUM SMELTER TO BE ANNOUNCED TO ITS STAFF IN NEXT 4-6 WEEKS
* HAS NO KNOWLEDGE IN RELATION TO ANY SUCH ANNOUNCEMENT