MUSCAT: Oman's Sohar Aluminium plans to spend $35 million over the next five years to boost production capacity, chief executive Mohammed Al-Masoudi told reporters on Thursday.

The work is expected to increase annual capacity by about 28,000 tons of primary aluminum, he said. The company currently produces 375,000 tons of primary aluminum a year in the form of hot metal, with two main local consumers.

Oman Aluminium Processing Industries takes 50,000 tons per year while Oman Aluminium Rolling Co. takes 140,000-160,000 tons. A third major consumer of the output is being arranged, Masoudi said. Some of the production is exported.

Sohar Aluminium is Oman’s biggest non-hydrocarbon industrial venture. Established in 2004, the $2.4 billion venture is owned 40 percent by Oman Oil Co., 40 percent by Abu Dhabi National Energy Co., and the rest by Rio Tinto Alcan.