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Ma’aden and Alcoa continue developing capabilities of Ras al Khair complex in Saudi Arabia: Underline commitment to development of downstream sectors

 

Mar 06, 2012

Riyadh and New York, 6th March 2012: Ma’aden and Alcoa today announced commencement of work to extend the product mix of their aluminium complex currently under construction at Ras Al Khair in Saudi Arabia.

This latest milestone will enable the two companies to include capability for producing about 100,000 metric tons of a wide range of products suitable for further downstream manufacturing in the complex’s product lines. They include automotive heat-treated and non-heat-treated sheet, building and construction sheet and foil stock sheet. Depending on demand, the line will start production at the end of 2014. A contract for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management has been awarded to Fluor. An award has also been released to SMS Siemag for supply of the mill equipment and heat treatment line equipment. The contracts were signed today at a ceremony in Jubail attended by His Excellency the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al Naimi and the Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, His Highness Prince Saud Althunayan.

“This step will place Saudi Arabia among the world’s foremost aluminium producers by combining the highest standards of quality with the exceptional cost competitiveness of this world class project.” said Khalid Mudaifer, Ma’aden’s President and CEO. “These new capabilities will help establish downstream industries in Saudi Arabia using aluminium that has been mined, refined, smelted and rolled in the Kingdom. It is also fully compatible with the national strategy of developing national resources to create sustainable wealth and employment for Saudis, as well as enabling the replacement of a wide range of imports with cost effective high quality domestic products, and encouraging the expansion of the national industrial base. Many future generations of our citizens will be able to trace their long and successful career paths in business and industry to the decisions we are making here today.”

In making the announcement Engr. Abdullah Busfar, Vice President of Ma’aden’s Aluminium Strategic Business Unit said that the additional products reflected the commitment of the two companies to the realization of the first fully integrated aluminium industry in the Middle East.

“The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set the vision and established the infrastructure to enable the development of the world’s largest, lowest cost, fully integrated aluminium industrial complex. The Ma’aden Alcoa joint venture is systematically establishing both the foundation for this industry, and the capability to support local downstream sectors as they develop. Potentially, there are thousands of jobs and career opportunities awaiting in those downstream sectors and we have the ability within this complex to quickly respond with advanced expertise, proven best practices, and high quality products to support them as they emerge.” Busfar said.

Ken Wisnoski, Alcoa Vice President, and President of Alcoa’s Primary Products Growth group added that the additional products further the joint venture’s lead in the establishment of a world class aluminium manufacturing facility in the Kingdom.

“Throughout this complex, we are bringing in the best technologies in their class and developing the local skills and operational routines to extract the most efficient, high quality production from them. This was already the first and only facility in the Middle East capable of producing food grade can sheet. Extending its capabilities significantly increases that advantage”, Wisnoski said.

The complex’s smelter and rolling mill are scheduled to begin production in 2013. The mine and refinery will follow in 2014.