DUBAL, one of the world's major aluminum producers has announced that its Dh 748.7 million Potline-7 expansion, undertaken during March 2004 and projected to be finalized by the fourth quarter of 2005, is currently far ahead of its provisional schedule and is substantially within the original projected budget.
With the eventual finalization of the expansion project, production at DUBAL is set to exceed 74,000 tones per year, to an unprecedented total output of over 761,000 tones per annum.
"The expansion is in accordance with the directions of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, the UAE Finance and Industry Minister and Chairman of DUBAL, who intimated that our output should be at a par with the ever increasing international demand for aluminium and finish the expansion within its projected schedule and budget," said Abdulla Kalban, Director of Operations, DUBAL.
"Work on the on-going expansion project on Potline-7, a ground-breaking venture for DUBAL, has so far proved to be a resounding success, far exceeding our initial expectations. We are far ahead of our schedule and well within our projected budget. The Potline-7 expansion will garner DUBAL even greater international recognition and will serve to further elevate the standing of the UAE as a whole. We are also exceptionally proud that the project is being conducted under the expert supervision of DUBAL's in-house trained UAE nationals, which is also in line with DUBAL's management directions," added Abdulla Kalban.
Much of the groundwork on the Potline-7 expansion site has already been completed, whilst the necessary civil works is very much underway and the structural steel work is up.
"Apart from the obvious freedom to update our technology without interference from outside parties, our own in-house cell technology has been of principle benefit in our expansion of Potline-7. Through its use, we have made the process of expansion even more efficient, as well as ensuring the continuing reduction of our operational costs DUBAL will greatly benefit from this expansion, once the venture is completed.” said Mohammed E. Nagib, General Manager, Engineering and maintenance.
