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Sohar Aluminum Smelter Project Makes First 'Hot Metal'

  • 25 June 2008
    SAN FRANCISCO, California
  • Press Release

Sohar Aluminum Smelter Project Makes First 'Hot Metal'


“We are delighted to have completed the project on schedule and within budget,” says Project Manager Andy Cameron. “It has been a huge challenge in today’s hot construction climate, and is a testimony to the dedication and hard work of the Bechtel project team, our contractors, and owner, Sohar Aluminium.”

“As a team, we are extremely proud of our safety record. At the time of producing the first hot metal, we’ve worked almost 12 million consecutive, accident-free hours,” said Cameron. Goods and services for the project were procured from 28 different countries, with more than $300 million also being spent in the local Omani business community.

Bechtel was responsible for approximately 50 percent of the construction, and managed construction of the remainder. A key part of Bechtel’s construction program was the recruitment and training of more than 800 Omani craft workers. “Our training program was the largest of its type to date in Oman,” says Steve Pritchard, construction manager. “The decision to hire and train women was also new for Oman.”

Working for Bechtel has been the start of a career for many Omani craft workers, some of whom will work for the Sohar Aluminium operations team and other international construction companies.

Sohar Aluminium expects full production by December 2008.

For more information on the project, read the Sohar Aluminium press release.

ABOUT SOHAR

Sohar Aluminium’s shareholders are Oman Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, and Rio Tinto Alcan. The company was established in September 2004 to construct and operate a single AP35 potline aluminium smelter with an associated power plant. For more information about Sohar Aluminium Company, visit www.sohar-aluminium.com.
 

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About Bechtel

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.  

Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com

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