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Ma'aden Phosphate Production to Begin in Second Quarter Of 2011 Project within budget, Ras Az Zawr commissioning underway

 

Nov 24, 2010

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 24th November 2010 – The Saudi Arabian Mining Company, Ma’aden today announced that it has completed the project infrastructure and utilities of its phosphate joint venture with SABIC, Ma’aden Phosphate Company (MPC) and that commissioning is underway at some of the major production units at Ras Az Zawr. The Company has rescheduled the date for initial production, originally envisaged by the end of the fourth quarter of 2010, to the second quarter of 2011 by which time the associated infrastructure and supporting utilities in Ras Az Zawr will be in completed. Commercial production is now expected to commence in the 3rd quarter of 2011.

The phosphate mine and beneficiation plant at Al Jalamid are now operating and first deliveries of phosphate concentrate have been made to facilitate the process of plant commissioning and start up. The SR20.6 billion (US$ 5.5 billion) project remains within budget and, once fully operational, will produce 3 million tons per year of Di-Ammonium Phosphate fertilizer, representing around 10% of the world’s current demand.

"The MPC team's achievement in delivering this complex project so close to the scheduled start up date and within budget is remarkable, especially given the challenging conditions prevailing during the world economic crisis." commented Dr Abdullah Dabbagh, President & CEO of Ma'aden. "The team is delivering this world scale integrated mine and processing complex with an emphasis on safety, to a tight deadline and with no cost overrun. Ma'aden's management recognises their efforts and those of our partners who are helping to deliver this project. The MPC operation will be the largest fully integrated phosphate fertilizer project in the world and enhance the position of the Kingdom among the world leaders in the phosphate industry."

MPC is owned 70 % by Ma'aden and 30% by SABIC.

  • D.Dabbagh
  • Phosphate Project at RAZ