Alba Progresses its Historic US$ 3 Billion Line 6 Expansion Project
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the first aluminium smelter in the Gulf region, has been making steady progress with the execution of its flagship development, the Line 6 Expansion Project, according to a statement issued by the Chairman of the Alba Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa.
The site preparation, earthworks and concrete (including precast) works continue to ramp-up with the overall project progress at 25% through the end of July (including 50% progress in engineering and 70% progress in procurement and contracts). In addition, the first structural steel is scheduled for erection in the new pot room in September 2017.
Shaikh Daij added:“We are delighted to see that the Line 6 Expansion Project continues to progress on schedule as that will accelerate our position to be the largest single-site smelter in the world.
I thank our EPCM contractor, International Bechtel Co. Ltd. (Bechtel), Alba CEO, Tim Murray and the Alba Line 6 Owner’s Team for their commitment to deliver our Project on a timely and safe manner.”
Bechtel’s President for Mining and Metals, Paige Wilson said:
“We are thrilled to be breaking ground on Alba’s historic project. We also look forward to continuing to work with the Alba Line 6 Owner’s Team as the project targets First Hot Metal (FHM) by 1 January 2019 and to furthering our long-term partnership.”
This Game Changer, which involves the construction of sixth pot line, a 1,792 MW power station and other industrial services, is expected to begin production by January 1, 2019 and will boost the smelter’s per-annum production by 540,000 metric tonnes, bringing its total production capacity to 1.5 million metric tonnes per year.