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Ma'aden Loads First Ammonia Shipment

 

Mar 02, 2011

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 2nd March, 2011–Ma'aden Phosphate Company (MPC) today started loading its first shipment of ammonia at Ras Az Zawr port. Ma’aden’s ammonia plant began initial production last month and has an estimated production capacity of 1.1 million tonnes per year.

Engr. Khalid Al-Mudaifer, President and CEO of Ma'aden noted that this achievement comes as the country celebrates the safe return of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah from medical treatment abroad. He added that the project embodies the King’s vision of economic and industrial development leading to the prosperity and sustainability of the Saudi economy, enhancing quality of life for Saudi nationals. Engr Al-Mudaifer thanked the Kingdom's leadership for their support of the mining industry and acknowledged the efforts of the Ministries of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Finance and Transport as well as the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Ma’aden’s partners, highlighting the significant impact their efforts have on the successful delivery of Ma'aden's projects.

He added that this first shipment of 12,000 metric tonnes of ammonia will be exported to markets in South East Asia. The majority of the ammonia produced by MPC will be used as feedstock for the production of diammonium phosphate with excess ammonia being sold for export. MPC will begin manufacture of Diammonium Phosphate Fertilizer (DAP) in the second quarter of 2011and when at full production will make 2.92 million tonnes per year of DAP.

Engr. Al-Mudaifer highlighted that Ma'aden is developing its aluminium and phosphate mega projects in conjunction with its gold and industrial minerals projects to expand its portfolio in mining and related industries. He added that Ma’aden is committed to building solid foundations in all its industry sectors, promoting the transfer of technology and providing maximum benefit to its shareholders.

Eng. Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, the President of the Saudi Ports Authority congratulated the Ministry of Petroleum and His Highness Prince Saud Bin Thunayan, Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, as well as Ma’aden’s Chairman, Board Members and President and CEO on achieving this fundamental step forward in the company’s progress. He also commended the cooperation between Ma’aden and the Saudi Ports Authority during the construction of Ras Az Zawr Port which resulted in the completion of the port on schedule and to the specifications required to facilitate the highest performance. He noted that Ras Az Zawr Port includes three berths, as well as a service dock and that work is underway to build two additional berths to increase capacity.

Mohammed Al-Mady, Vice Chairman and CEO, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) underlined that the initial production and first shipment of ammonia is an important milestone for the project. He added that SABIC’s marketing team will handle the international marketing of this shipment and indicated that the new industrial complex at Ras Az Zawr will give Saudi Arabia the ability to add DAP production to SABIC’s Urea capabilities for use in local and international markets.

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.