Gulf Emirate and Indian state team up for new alumina/smelter complex

The state investment vehicle of the Gulf Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah said it has signed an agreement with the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to build a $2 billion alumina refinery-aluminium smelter complex near the city of Visakhapatnam on India's east coast.

The memorandum of understanding envisages a 1-million tpy alumina refinery and a 250,000tpy greenfield smelter.

"The production will mostly be for export to international markets," said Khater Massaad, chief executive of the Ras al-Khaimah Investment Authority.

The Indian state government has promised to supply bauxite from the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corp.

Ras Al Khaimah is one of the smallest entities in the United Arab Emirates, covering just 1,700 square kilometres next to Oman.