Saudi Arabia’s export of alumina during 2018-20 remains volatile; 262% growth estimated for 2021

The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) alumina refinery production is fed into Ma'aden’s Smelter. The Smelter’s annual production capacity is 780,000 tonnes per year of primary aluminium. The technology used in Ma’aden’s Smelter is AP Technology. The alumina refinery feedstock comes from large bauxite deposits in the Al Ba’itha mine, which includes the mine as well as the ore-crushing and handling facilities. The mine’s estimated production is 5 million tonnes per year of dry weight bauxite. The ore is then transported via the new North-South railway line to Ras Al Khair Industrial City, feeding the Ma’aden’s Refinery. The plant is the first alumina refinery in the Middle East, with a 1.8 million tonnes production capacity per year.

The second-largest country in the Arab world, Saudi Arabia recorded exportation of 483,788 tonnes of alumina during 2018-19 and the revenue earnings occurred was $169.82 million. The export for 2020 stood at 185,877 tonnes and the earnings remained at $55.39 million. However, when the export volume and expenditure for 2020 gets added with the existing two years, it signifies 669,665 tonnes and $225.21 million respectively.

In 2018, the Kingdom exported 147,161 tonnes of alumina and the earnings raised was $54.22 million, whereas, in 2019, the export saw growth by 128.74%, as the export volume soared to 336,627 tonnes and the earnings also surged to $115.60 million.

The export for 2020 reflected a downfall by 81.10%, as the export volume dropped to 185,877 tonnes and the earnings also plunged to $55.39 million.

The export for 2021 is analysed with growth by 261.89%, as the export volume is expected to rise at 672,683 tonnes and the earnings to stand at $189.35 million.

The major trading destinations for Saudi Arabia’s export of alumina are India, Bahrain, UAE, etc.