The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) recently achieved a significant new certification for the ammonia plant it operates within its affiliate Ma’aden Phosphate Company (MPC).

ISO 50001 is a new standard for energy management systems developed by the International Organization for Standardization. It enables MPC’s ammonia plant to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve energy performance. The MPC facility is the largest single line ammonia plant in the world.

“We are continuously assessing ways to improve our management of energy,” said Khaled Al Rowais, the chairman of the board of MPC.

"We are committed to promoting best practices in energy management because we know that reducing energy costs improves our competitiveness and lowering energy consumption helps us reduce our environmental impact," he noted.

“Energy is a critical component of our business because it’s used throughout our entire value chain,” stated Hassan Al Ali, the president of MPC.

“In addition to the ammonia plant, MPC also achieved ISO 50001 certification for its power and utilities facilities in 2012. We will capitalise on these achievements and work to apply this new global standard across all of our other facilities,” remarked Ali.

MPC has already received certification for ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 140001 (environmental management) and OHSAS 18001 (occupational health and safety).

Also, Ma’aden Aluminum, the Saudi company's joint venture with Alcoa, announced last year that its smelter and cast house was awarded the ISO 9001:2015, the latest version of the accredited standard and specifications certificate of quality management published by the ISO.-TradeArabia News Service