Qatalum reaches milestone with liquid aluminium start

Qatalum made a milestone achievement when its first electrolysis cell started production of liquid aluminium metal yesterday. This marks the start of primary aluminium production in Qatar, Qatalum said. Qatalum, a 50:50 joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Hydro, will produce 585,000 tonnes of primary aluminium when the project reaches its capacity. The first of Qatalum’s ‘704 reduction cells’ started operation yesterday in line with the announced production schedule. Qatalum chairman Abdulla Salatt termed the beginning of aluminium production in Qatar a ‘historic’ achievement. He reiterated Qatalum’s ability to deliver products on time, within budget and with an excellent environmental and safety standard. “Bringing one of the world’s largest greenfield smelters on line required a committed partnership between Qatar Petroleum and Hydro, thanks to world-class project management competence and the efforts of all involved in the Qatalum project and operation,” Salatt said. Qatalum CEO Jan Arve Haugan said construction work would continue as testing and training give way to operations. “New cells will be started consecutively from now on and next year we will reach full operational capacity of 585,000 tonnes when all 704 cells are in operation in the second half of 2010,” Haugan said. At start up, more than 90% of the employees required have assumed their responsibilities and have been trained and well prepared for the operations to commence. Currently, Qatalum workforce comprises 25 nationalities and there is a strong emphasis on employing Qataris, many of whom hold senior positions within the company, Qatalum deputy CEO Hassan al-Rashid said. Qatalum is staying ahead of global industrial environmental obligations by investing in and implementing Hydro’s leading technological edge. From laser-guided “pot-tending machines” in the potrooms to state-of-the-art fume treatment plants, high environmental standards are key to Qatalum’s sustainable operations The Qatalum project has demonstrated an excellent safety record with its “lost time injury” at 0.4 per million work hours. This by far surpasses the challenging ambitions defined before site work began in January 2007. Qatalum will be one of the largest and most environmentally friendly aluminium plants built in a single phase. Primary aluminium will be shipped as value-added aluminium casthouse products. The aluminium metal produced at Qatalum will be sold mainly in the European, Asian and North American markets. A dedicated power plant with an installed capacity of 1350MW will ensure stable supply of electricity to the plant.