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Construction Begins on Ras Az Zawr Aluminium Smelter

  • 13 July 2010
    Saudi Arabia
  • Europe, Middle East & Africa, Mining & Metals, Press Release
Bechtel started construction on Saudi Arabia's first ever aluminium smelter at the Ma’aden minerals industry complex at the Ras Az Zawr Minerals Industrial City. The industry complex is being developed by the Saudi Arabian Mining Company Ma’aden and will also house an alumina refinery and a rolling mill. Bechtel will provide engineering, procurement, and construction services for the aluminium smelter.

The minerals industry complex is situated 90 kilometers north of Jubail on the Arabian Gulf coast. Bechtel has managed the development of the Jubail Industrial City since the mid-1970s.

The $4 billion smelter will be constructed as two high amperage potlines utilizing Pechiney AP technology and will produce 740,000 tonnes of aluminium per year. Most of the aluminium will be exported, while at least 250,000 tonnes will feed the adjacent rolling mill. The smelter will include a carbon plant for anode production, ingot cast house, material handling, and support facilities.

Aluminium operations at Ras Az Zawr will be powered by a joint power and desalination plant, which will generate 2,400 MW of electricity and 1.025 million cubic meters of water per day. The aluminium complex will use 1,350 MW of electricity and 25,000 cubic meters of water per day.

The first production from the aluminium smelter and the rolling mill is expected in 2013.

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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