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Ma’aden-Alcoa Joint Venture breaks ground in Saudi Arabia

 

Jun 19, 2010

Smelter and Middle East’s most technologically advanced aluminium rolling mill move into construction phase

Riyadh and New York June 19, 2010 – The Saudi Arabian Mining Company Ma’aden and Alcoa, the world leader in aluminum, today officially broke ground on a project that will become the world’s largest fully integrated aluminium complex, at Ras az Zawr in Saudi Arabia.

In December 2009 the two companies announced their joint venture to develop a fully integrated, world-class aluminum industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In its initial phases, the joint venture will develop a fully integrated industrial complex, consisting of a bauxite mine at Al Ba’aitha and an alumina refinery, aluminum smelter and rolling mill on the Arabian Gulf coast at Ras Az Zawr. Ground breaking has now officially begun to pave the way for construction of the smelter and rolling mill that will serve the packaging and other industries.

At the ground-breaking ceremony Abdullah Busfar, Ma’aden’s Vice President Aluminium SBU and Project Management said, ‘The team have worked very hard over a long period of time to bring the project this far, and it is from today that we actually begin to see it on the ground in Ras Az Zawr. It is a landmark day not only for Ma’aden and Alcoa but also for the aluminium industry in the Gulf and for the diversification of Saudi industry.”

Ken Wisnoski, President Alcoa Global Primary Products, GEBA pointed to the progress that has been made since the joint venture was formed. “Little more than a few months ago, we had an empty space on a map, an ambitious idea of the future and a combined team of dedicated, energized people. We also had the visionary commitment of the Kingdom’s government to the establishment of world-class infrastructure at Ras az Zawr. Now everything is coming together on schedule. In the near future, the place where we stand today will become the regional hub of the Kingdom’s new aluminium industry, and home of the Middle East’s first, and one of the world’s most technologically advanced, food-grade can sheet rolling mills. What we see here today is proof of what can be achieved through the true spirit of partnership that exists within our joint venture”

The joint venture will become the world's preeminent and lowest-cost supplier of primary aluminum, alumina and aluminum products, with access to the growing markets of the Middle East and beyond. The complex will utilize critical infrastructure, including low-cost and clean power generation, as well as port and rail facilities, developed by the Kingdom’s government. Bauxite feedstock for the planned alumina refinery will be transported by rail from the new mine at Al Ba’itha, near Quiba, in the north. The smelter and rolling mill will begin operations in 2013 with the mine and refinery coming on stream in 2014.

Ras Az Zawr is the location for Ma’aden’s minerals industry complex, a 77 square km site, 90km north of Al Jubail on the Arabian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia. In addition to housing the alumina refinery, aluminum smelter and rolling mill for the Ma’aden Alcoa joint venture aluminium industry, it is also the site for Ma’aden Phosphate Company’s integrated chemical and fertilizer facility, due to begin operation in 2010. The phosphate complex consists of a phosphoric acid plant, a sulphuric acid plant, an ammonia plant, a DAP granulation plant, a co-generation plant and desalination plant, as well as related infrastructure. It will process phosphate concentrate brought by rail from Al Jalamid. This will produce about 2.92 million mtpy of granular DAP, plus approximately 400,000 mtpy of excess ammonia and about 200,000 mtpy of excess phosphoric acid. Ras Az Zawr also has 25 square kilometers of land set aside for industrial expansion and downstream industry.

About Ma’aden

Ma'aden was established as a Saudi Arabian joint stock company in March 1997 to facilitate the development of Saudi Arabia’s non-petroleum mineral resources and to diversify the Kingdom’s economy away from the petroleum and petrochemical sectors. Ma’aden is engaged in the development, advancement and improvement of all aspects of the mineral industry, mineral products and by-products and related industries in Saudi Arabia. In July 2008 Ma’aden offered 50% of the company’s shares for subscription in a successful SR 9.25 billion IPO. Ma’aden has progressed towards realizing its vision of building a world class mineral enterprise and its mission of being a profitable, publicly owned, international mining company, while maintaining the utmost concern for human resources, health and safety, environmental and social issues.

Ma'aden is engaged in the development, advancement and improvement of all aspects of the mineral industry, mineral products and by-products and related industries in Saudi Arabia. The company is committed to the best international and local standards in environmental regulations and values its role in Corporate Social Responsibility.

Ma'aden has progressed towards realizing its vision of building a world class mineral enterprise and its mission of being a profitable, publicly owned, international mining company, while maintaining the utmost concern for human resources, health, safety, environmental and social issues.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems. The Company has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for eight consecutive years. Alcoa employs approximately 63,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com