A subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) has started commercial production at a new bauxite mine and alumina refinery which could begin exporting some of its output in coming months, said a report.

The production will reach maximum annual capacity of 1.8 million tonnes of alumina by early 2017, meeting Maaden's domestic requirement of 1.4 million tonnes for its smelter and allowing the surplus to be sold elsewhere in the region and internationally, added the Arab News report, citing the company.

The subsidiary is 74.9 per cent owned by Maaden and 25.1 per cent owned by US firm Alcoa, it said.

The Saudi company said earnings from the venture would begin to have an impact on its results in the fourth quarter of this year, added the report.