EGA aiming at upstream integration- to build alumina refinery near Al Taweelah smelter

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is inching towards commissioning of an alumina refinery next to its Al Taweelah aluminium smelter in Abu Dhabi, reported industry sources. The refinery, once commissioned, would then be tied in to bauxite- sourced from Guinea bauxite mines for which EGA already has the mining rights.

The Dubai and Abu Dhabi government-owned aluminium producer boasting per annum output of 2.4 million tonnes will be the first company to make investment in an alumina refinery in the UAE.

“The refinery will produce 2 million tonnes of alumina each year, reducing our dependency on alumina imports by more than 40 per cent,” said said Yousuf Al Bastaki, Executive Vice-President — Upstream at EGA. “As with every other global business, we’ve identified the need to go beyond our smelting capabilities to control key parts of our value chain — from “mine to metal”.

“Our products have historically been used in solid form — but we will begin supplying some of customers with liquid metal direct from Al Taweelah smelter. By supplying liquid metal, we bring them enormous benefits by way of reducing their own energy consumption and costs,” said Al Bastaki.

On further integration of the alumina refinery with bauxte processing, Al Bastaki said, “Once our mine in Guinea becomes operational, we will evaluate and determine the requirement for sourcing bauxite from them. Our concession contains more than 1 billion tonnes of some of the highest quality bauxite in the world and will have a production capacity of 12 million tonnes per annum, starting from 2018.”

“As well as securing high-quality bauxite for our production facilities in the UAE, the mine will also give us a new, substantial revenue stream through significant exports to Asia.”

EGA owns Guinea Alumina Corp., a mining development company focused on advancing its bauxite and alumina export project.

With things looking up for the light metal used in aerospace to smartphones, at the global front, EGA stands to leverage upon its vertically integrated aluminium capabilities.

“Aluminium markets are growing rapidly and EGA will benefit, as applications in automotive, aerospace and other industrial uses continue,” Al Bastaki said.