Ma’aden’s aluminium smelter to produce above initial capacity target in 2015

The giant JV aluminium smelter between Alcoa and Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Ma’aden) which reported a few technical glitches in the beginning is ready to produce above its initial capacity target this year, said representatives from Ma’aden.

Although the project has officially started operations last year, it was not able to perform up to its capabilities due to technical difficulties producing an initial annual production of 740,000 tons per year. This year that number is expected to rise slightly higher to 760,000 tons.

In a conference in Dubai, senior vice president Thomas Walpole said that70 to 80 percent of the smelter’s current production is being exported.

The $10.8 billion project is segmented into three parts: bauxite mine, refinery, smelter and a rolling mill. Walpole says the refinery that was performing only at 60 percent capacity till now is expected to reach full output of 1.8 million tons by year-end.

An aluminium project of this scale is a big step for Saudi Arabia which has been behind on aluminium production compared to its other Middle East neighbors.