MONTREAL, Canada, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Sohar Aluminium (SA), 20 percent owned by Rio Tinto Alcan, has poured the first metal at its newly constructed smelter in Sohar, Oman. The state-of-the-art smelter utilizes Rio Tinto Alcan's benchmark AP36 technology - the most efficient and environmentally friendly available.
"I would like to congratulate our partners, the Oman Oil Company S.A.O.C. and the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, as well as the project and operations teams for having achieved this major milestone right on schedule," said Rio Tinto Alcan chief executive Dick Evans. "Rio Tinto Alcan is delighted to have expanded its presence in the dynamic Middle East Gulf region by providing not only cutting-edge technology but also operational know-how and management expertise to this project."
Noting that it will rank in the lowest quartile of the global industry cash cost curve, Jacynthe Côté, president and chief executive officer, Rio Tinto Alcan, Primary Metal, said the Sohar smelter "will showcase Rio Tinto Alcan's technology and cost leadership".
In addition to its equity interest in the project, Rio Tinto Alcan has assumed responsibility for technical and operational support as well as sales and marketing of all SA metal exported from Oman and the United Arab Emirates. With an initial capacity of 360kt per year, the smelter is on track to reach full production in December 2008, following a ramp-up period.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.
Source: Rio Tinto Alcan
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