Saudi Arabia:  Greenfield Aluminum Project

Hatch assists in development of first greenfield mine-to-metal aluminum complex

Ma’aden, the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, and Alcoa are developing the world’s first greenfield integrated “mine-to-metal” aluminum complex. The development, which includes a bauxite mine, alumina refinery, aluminum smelter and rolling mill, is planned to be the lowestcost aluminum complex in the world. The project will be built on the Ras Az Zawr site on the east coast of the Saudi Arabia.

The alumina refinery will have an annual capacity of 1.8 million tons. Hatch will provide the technology for the digestion as well as engineering for the majority of the digestion/evaporation circuit. Hatch previously completed the feasibility study.

The facility will use Hatch’s proprietary multi-cell jacketed pipe-heater technology. The technology was selected because of its ability to significantly reduce heater cleaning and maintenance requirements for the refinery. The plant will be one of the highest temperature plants in the world, with digestion at 270°C.