Ma’aden is exploring for and evaluating new industrial mineral resources in Saudi Arabia for supply to local and international markets. The Company is actively evaluating the potential to enrich its mineral portfolio from identified deposits of industrial minerals including refractory clay and low-grade bauxite, sillimanite type minerals, graphite, bentonite and attapulgite, diatomite, silica, garnets, wollastonite, and brine type minerals.
Summaries of Ma'aden's other projects are set out below.
Chlor Alkali Project
Caustic soda is an essential feedstock needed for the refining of bauxite to alumina. It is produced from the electrolysis of brine, along with chlorine which is later used in the manufacture of ethylene di-chloride (EDC). The Company proposes to construct a facility in a 50/50 joint venture with Sahara Petrochemical Company to produce caustic soda and EDC for export. Ma'aden and Sahara Petrochemical Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in respect of the construction of the plant, with a Joint Venture Agreement expected to be signed shortly. The plant will be located at Jubail Industrial City to allow ethylene to be delivered by pipeline from the Tasnee Ethane Cracker.
INDUSTRIAL MINERALS PROJECTS
Magnesite Project
There is a high-grade magnesite resource at the Zarghat deposit which will provide quality feedstock for a range of high-value magnesia products. It is proposed that the mine will be developed as an open cast mine and run of mine material will be crushed and screened on site and delivered to Ma’aden’s processing plant at Al Madinah Al Munawarah. The chemical and physical characteristics of Zarghat magnesite make it suitable for a range of high grade magnesia applications in a variety of market sectors, including refractories, environmental, agricultural, construction and other value added applications.
Low Grade Bauxite and Kaolin Projects
Ma'aden is planning to develop kaolin and low grade bauxite resources to supply the cement industry with high alumina feedstock. The bauxite and kaolin resources considered for exploitation are located in the central zone of the Az Zabirah.
|
