DUBAL and Mubadala review progress on largest aluminium smelter project in the world

The meeting was jointly chaired by HE Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO and Managing Director of Mubadala Development, and Mr. Abdullah Jasim bin Kalban, CEO, DUBAL, and was attended by senior officials from both the organizations.
The world class green-field aluminium smelter complex is coming up at the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi and DUBAL is providing technology and management resources to the project.

The Mubadala-DUBAL alliance enjoys the direct support of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Chairman of Mubadala Development, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, the UAE Minister for Finance and Industry and Chairman of DUBAL.
The meeting reviewed among others, the results and different aspects of the Feasibility Study & Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by SNC-Lavalin, the details of gas supply contract for the project, land lease, engineering details and the master plan of the port including the exclusive berth for use by EMAL.

Senior officials at the meeting also approved the corporate identity and the manpower and resources required to take the project through its various phases.

Moreover, the two sides are working together on the Project Execution Strategy and assessed the status and options for the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) and Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) contract.

"The Abu Dhabi government is committed to the supply of gas to the 1.4 million tons EMAL aluminum smelter project in Taweelah, Abu Dhabi. In addition, EMAL has secured a 6 km2 site for the smelter complex and a captive berth from the Sheikh Khalifa Industrial Zone and Port authorities," said H.E. Mr. Al Mubarak.

The first phase of the project will be operational in 2010 with around 700,000-tonnes annual capacity. When all phases are completed, the smelter will have 1.4 million mtpa capacity, which will make it the largest single site aluminium smelter in the world.

"The project is swiftly going ahead and the steering committee was happy with the pace of the progress. EMAL will bring enormous economic benefits to the country as it will pave way for economic diversification, employment generation, raise competitiveness and enable the UAE to be a leading player in the global aluminium industry,"

said Mr. Kalban.

Apart from creating more than 4,000 job opportunities for UAE nationals, the strategic alliance between DUBAL and Mubadala is expected to add value to the local energy sector and pave the way for new downstream industries.
The ownership of the project is to be shared equally between DUBAL and Mubadala as per the Joint Protocol was signed in February this year.