UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE MONTH OF
MARCH 2008
METHANEX CORPORATION
(Registrants name)
SUITE 1800, 200 BURRARD STREET, VANCOUVER, BC V6C 3M1 CANADA
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form
20-F or Form 40-F.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2(b): 82 .
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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METHANEX CORPORATION
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Date: March 12, 2008 |
By: |
/s/ RANDY MILNER
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Name: |
Randy Milner |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
& Corporate Secretary |
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NEWS RELEASE
Methanex Corporation
1800 200 Burrard St.
Vancouver, BC Canada V6C 3M1
Toll-Free: 1-800-661-8851
http://www.methanex.com
For immediate release
March 12, 2008
ARGENTINA ANNOUNCES INCREASE TO NATURAL GAS EXPORT DUTY
The Argentine Government has increased the natural gas export duty from 45% to 100% of the highest
contracted import price of natural gas into Argentina. Currently, it is expected that this would
represent an export duty of approximately US$7/mmbtu. Our gas contracts provide that the gas
suppliers must pay any duties levied by the government of Argentina. Methanex has not received
official notification that gas supply would be restored to its plants.
Methanexs Latin America Senior Vice President, Paul Schiodtz, commented, We are disappointed in
the way the export duties were implemented as we believe it did not take into consideration the
impact on the economy of southern Chile. We have been operating our plants at only 30% capacity
since June 2007 as a result of the curtailments of natural gas exports from Argentina. In addition,
there is no excess pipeline capacity available to transport the gas from southern Argentina to the
most populated regions of that country. Given the announcement of increased duties, we do not
expect to change the operating rate of our plants.
Mr. Schiodtz added, As we have stated previously, our long term strategy is to source more gas
supply from Chile. In that context, we expect new exploration projects in the Magallanes Region of
Chile by ENAP and other international oil and gas companies will continue to be developed with a
sense of urgency.
Methanex is a Vancouver-based, publicly traded company engaged in the worldwide production,
distribution and marketing of methanol. Methanex shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock
Exchange in Canada under the trading symbol MX, on the NASDAQ Global Market in the United States
under the trading symbol MEOH and on the foreign securities market of the Santiago Stock Exchange
in Chile under the trading symbol Methanex. Methanex can be visited online at www.methanex.com.
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Inquiries:
Jason Chesko
Director, Investor Relations
Methanex Corporation
604-661-2600