OREANDA-NEWS. Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters, recently marked the 10th year of operations of its Reduction Line 5.

Inaugurated by His Royal Highness, The Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa in 2005, Line 5 was a historic milestone in the Middle East’s aluminium industry. It expanded Alba’s annual aluminium production by adding 307,000 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa), making it the largest aluminium smelter in the world outside of Eastern Europe with a total output of 827,000 mtpa.

Line 5 set the world record for the fastest and safest start-up of an aluminium reduction line of 77 days without a single loss time injury (LTI). At 1.2 km, Line 5 was also the world's longest reduction lines back then, with 336 pots using one of the most advanced technologies -- AP30.

To date, Line 5 produces more than 345,000 mtpa of liquid metal as compared to its original capacity of 320,000 mtpa with the commencement of its operations in 2005. Over the last decade, there has been a remarkable 8% growth in its production capacity, majority of which has taken place in the last three years with minimal investment and by using internal resources.

Speaking about this achievement, Alba’s Chief Operations Officer, Isa al Ansari said: “We are proud of what Alba has achieved since 1971 and for its contributions to the Kingdom of Bahrain. All our accomplishments are the results of our employees’ commitment, hard work and capabilities, and I thank them for their dedication. We now look forward to attaining new heights with the Line 6 Expansion Project.”

Alba will embark on a historical journey with the Line 6 Expansion Project. Expected to begin production in early 2019, the Project upon full ramp-up will bring Alba’s total production capacity to approximately 1,450,000 mtpa making it the largest single site smelter in the world upon completion.

About Alba:

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) - one of the largest and modern aluminium smelters in the world - is renowned for its premium grade aluminium products, technological strength and innovative policies, strict environmental guidelines and high track record for safety. Established in 1971 as a 120,000 tonnes per annum smelter, Alba today produces more than 931,000 metric tonnes per annum of the highest grade aluminium, with products including standard and T-ingots, extrusion billets, rolling slab, properzi ingots, and molten aluminium. Alba is listed on both the Bahrain Bourse and London Stock Exchange, and the Company’s shareholders are Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (69.38%), SABIC Industrial Investment Company (20.62%) and the General Public (10%).

About Line 6 Expansion Project:

Line 6 Expansion Project, expected to begin production by early 2019, will boost the per-annum production by 514,000 metric tonnes, bringing the total production capacity of Alba to around 1.450 million metric tonnes per year. Bechtel Canada completed the Bankable Feasibility study for the $3.5 billion Line 6 Expansion Project in December 2014. DX+ Technology is selected as the base for Line 6, while J.P. Morgan, Gulf International Bank (GIB) and National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) are the Financial Advisors of the Project. The Line 6 Expansion Project will enhance the downstream industry by creating many co-investment opportunities through local and foreign aluminium investments. It will create hundreds of jobs, directly and indirectly, which will be a significant economic boost for the Kingdom of Bahrain.