EMAL showcases success at major international symposium in Brazil

A representative from Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) delivered a keynote presentation on the successful delivery of Phase I of the UAE’s flagship industrial project to an international audience on 30 October, 2012. The presentation took place during the International Committee for the Study of Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium’s (ICSOBA) 19^th International Symposium being held in Belem, Brazil from the 29 October to 2 November 2012. 

Delegates were able to hear first-hand from someone with experience at the heart of the project; Abdulla Alriyami, Manager, Reduction Line, at the Al Taweelah smelter. Abdulla played an integral role in the start-up of the potline and was responsible for generating liquid bath for the very first pots at EMAL (a key step in turning raw materials into aluminium metal). 

Abdulla’s audience from around world was informed about the logistical challenges of constructing the two longest potlines in the world at 1.3 km and 756 pots in a remote area of Abu Dhabi desert. That Phase I of EMAL was delivered ahead of time and on budget, the audience heard, was due to comprehensive preparation, employee training and engagement, and a focus on health and safety. 

Commenting on his experience, Abdulla Alriyami said: “EMAL is a project we can all be proud of. It was great honour for me to be able to explain to an international audience exactly how EMAL overcame the challenges set for us. That we have yet to lose a single pot at EMAL is a fitting tribute to work everyone has done to ensure our success.” 

Phase II of EMAL is currently underway, building on the success Abdulla was able to share at the international Symposium. Upon completion in 2014 EMAL will be one of the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelters with an annual production capacity of 1.3 million metric tonnes.