Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) said it has awarded a contract to build the first alumina refinery in the Middle East which will help the Kingdom become a major upstream player in the global aluminium industry.

The refinery forms part of the fully integrated aluminium project under construction by project partners Ma’aden and Alcoa.

The upcoming project at Ras Al Khair in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province also includes an aluminium smelter and rolling mill and a bauxite mine at Al Ba’itha.

The Maaden Alcoa JV recently awarded a SR5.6 billion ($1.49 billion) contract to Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company for the construction of the refinery. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2014.

The contract also includes completing detailed engineering, procurement, construction, pre-commissioning, commissioning assistance, start-up assistance and training services.

On completion, the refinery will have an annual production capacity of 1.8 million metric tonnes of smelter-grade alumina.

'The signing of this contract represents another milestone in the development of the world’s largest, lowest-cost, fully integrated aluminium complex that will help make Saudi Arabia a major upstream player in the global aluminium industry,' remarked Khalid al Mudaifer, the president and CEO of Ma’aden.

'It also confirms our commitment to establishing strategic partnerships with leading international contractors having the proven experience and capability to build a world-class facility that we can be proud of,' he stated.

“The aluminium complex will produce a wide range of products suitable for further downstream manufacturing such as food grade can sheet, automotive heat-treated and non-heat-treated sheet, building and construction sheet and foil stock sheet,' he added..

Commenting on the project, Abdullah Busfar, chairman of the board of Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company said, “The construction of the refinery is expected to benefit from the same level of operational competitiveness and project management capability seen in the development of the smelter and rolling mill.'

'With the key infrastructure facilities in place and using best in class technologies and operating practices, we are on track to build an industry that will create thousands of job opportunities for young Saudis and enable the development of downstream industries,' he stated.

Ken Wisnoski, the president Alcoa Primary Products Growth, said the refinery will be equipped with the most advanced technologies available and will also incorporate Alcoa’s technologically advanced natural water system to treat, recycle and conserve significant volumes of water.

'Once on stream, will make a substantial contribution to the joint venture’s stature as a major producer. It will also firmly support Alcoa’s strategic optimization of our refining portfolio intended to deliver profitable growth in this critical upstream sector, and drive Alcoa’s position down the global refining cost curve,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service