Study launched for phase 2 of world's largest smelter

SMELTER STUDY: Emirates Aluminium has launched a pre-feasibility report into phase two of its huge project. (Getty Images)

Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) has launched a pre-feasibility study for the second phase of the world's largest single site smelter complex in the UAE.

The move comes as construction of the first phase of the smelter complex continues in readiness for starting metal production in the first quarter of 2010, news agency WAM reported.

EMAL has installed the first structural steel for the potrooms of the complex currently under construction in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi.

The EMAL smelter is being built in two phases and when complete, will produce 1.4 million tonnes of aluminium annually.

Canada's SNC Lavalin and Australia's WorleyParsons, the two companies awarded the engineering, procurement and construction management contract to build the first phase of the smelter, are conducting the pre-feasibility study which is due to be completed in the first half of 2009.

EMAL CEO Duncan Hedditch said: "The feasibility study will assist us in firming up details related to timing.

"The scale of projects such as the EMAL smelter are 50-year developments, allowing us to take a long-term view on prices and this means the current value of commodities will not have any effect on the timeline of the EMAL smelter complex."

EMAL is a joint venture (JV) between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) and was established in February 2007 to construct what will become the world's largest single site aluminium smelter complex.

At the end of phase one in 2010, EMAL will produce 700,000 tonnes of aluminium per annum and 1.4 million tonnes annually at the end of phase two.

Being the largest industrial project in the UAE outside the oil and gas industry, the project aims to encourage economic diversification, creating downstream opportunities.

This development will employ more than 14,000 local and international contractors/staff during construction and 1,800 people direct employment during operations.

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