Alcoa and the Saudi Arabian Mining Company Maaden have recorded a major safety milestone during the construction of their aluminum smelter at Ras Al-Khair.
A press release said that 25 million work hours were recorded without the loss of a single workday of injury.
Part of the fully integrated aluminum complex being developed jointly by Maaden and Alcoa, the 740,000-ton-per-year smelter is scheduled for completion in 2013.
The press release said 39 construction companies employing a diverse multinational workforce that speaks more than 15 languages and represents upward of 25 countries and cultures achieved the accomplishment. The number of workers including contractors grew from less than 200 to approximately 12,400 during this period.
“Achieving this remarkable safety performance on such a large and complex project requires team work, training and focus,” said Ken Wisnoski, vice president, Alcoa and president Global Primary Products Growth. “While we are proud of this achievement, we know we cannot relax. Safety requires constant vigilance.”
Abdullah Busfar, chairman of Maaden Aluminium Company, said: “This is safety performance in keeping with the world-class facility we are building at Ras Al-Khair. There are many challenges to overcome to achieve an injury-free workplace in a project of this size, but we have the right people, focused on doing the right things, and the teams constructing the smelter are to be commended for achieving this milestone.”
In its initial phases, the Maaden Aloca joint venture will develop a fully integrated industrial complex, which will become the world’s preeminent and lowest-cost supplier of primary aluminum, alumina and aluminum products, with access to the growing markets of the Middle East and beyond.
The complex comprises a bauxite mine with an initial capacity of 4,000,000 tons per year; an alumina refinery with an initial capacity of 1,800,000 tons per year; an aluminum smelter with an initial capacity of 740,000 tons per year; and a rolling mill, with initial capacity of 380,000 tons per year.
The mill will be the first in the Middle East capable of producing food grade can sheet, and will be one of the most technically advanced mills in the world.
First commercial production from smelter and mill is scheduled for 2013, followed by first commercial production of alumina from the mine and refinery complex, scheduled for 2014.
Alcoa will supply alumina to the smelter in the interim period.
Alcoa is described as the world’s leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years.
