Apr 05, 2011
Riyadh – 5th April, 2011 –The Saudi Arabian Mining Company, Ma’aden today started initial production of Caustic Calcined Magnesia at its magnesite processing plant in Al Madinah Al Munawarah.
The chemical and physical characteristics of Ma’aden’s magnesite, which is mined at Al Ghazala in the Hail Region, are suitable for a range of high grade magnesia applications in a variety of market sectors including refractories, environmental, agricultural and construction as well as other value added products. The processing plant at Al Madinah Al Munawarah contains two units, one producing Caustic Calcined Magnesia (CCM) with nameplate capacity of 39 KMT per year and the other producing Dead Burned Magnesia (DBM) with nameplate capacity of 32 KMT per year.
Ma’aden’s President and CEO, Engr Khalid Al Mudaifer highlighted that the project demonstrates how the mining industry can bring sustainable employment and investment in regional development as well as new industries to the Kingdom’s economy. He added that Ma’aden has completed all environmental and social permitting requirements associated with the project in accordance with procedures the company applies to all its projects.
Initial production of DBM is also expected during the second quarter 2011 and overall commercial production at the plant is set to start in the third quarter. The magnesite project is run by Ma’aden Industrial Minerals Company, which is wholly owned by Ma’aden.
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.