30 April 2009
SOHAR -- The Sohar Aluminium project was formally inaugurated here yesterday with high-ranking officials hailing the $2.4 billion undertaking as a milestone venture that has already begun to generate immense socioeconomic benefits for the Batinah region and the nation as a whole.
His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tareq al Said, Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan, led a high-profile gathering of government and private sector dignitaries at the inaugural ceremony held at the site of the project Oman's biggest industrial enterprise. The project, jointly owned by Oman Oil Company (40 per cent), Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority -- ADWEA (40 per cent) and Rio Tinto Alcan (20 per cent), has already won global acclaim for its superior, environment-friendly and energy-efficient technology, which makes Sohar Aluminium extremely competitive even amid the current global economic downturn.
"The Sohar Aluminium project is one of the largest economic investments ever made by the Government of Oman through Oman Oil Company (OOC)," Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and OOC Chairman stated. He added that the project would create greater employment opportunities in the Sultanate, particularly in the Batinah region, and in the primary aluminium processing industries, as well as creating further indirect jobs in the local market.
Shaikh Dhiab bin Zayed al Nahyan, Chairman of ADWEA of the United Arab Emirates, added: The contribution of the UAE in this vital project comes from the deep belief in the importance of the economic partnership in strengthening the brotherly bonds between both countries. This project is in line with the government's strategic vision on the importance of the economic integration of our countries to face major world economic alliances."
Ahmed bin Salim al Wahaibi, Chairman of Sohar Aluminium, underlined the project's contribution to the creation of substantial jobs. A total of 679 Omanis are now part of the company's roughly 1,000-strong workforce, which places Omanisation at 68 per cent -- an impressive figure for a major industry at launch. Indirect jobs created as a result of the venture will be close to four times the size of Sohar Aluminium's workforce, he added.
Furthermore, by assisting in the development of downstream industries through Takamul -- a joint venture between OOC and Emirati investors, Sohar Aluminium will generate further opportunities for growth in the Batinah region, the Chairman said. The company has also earmarked a percentage of its annual profit for initiatives that support local industry and the community.
Stressing Sohar Aluminium's commitment to Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) goals, Al Wahaibi said the company has implemented world-class EHS standards through the use of benchmark technology and procedures which reduce emissions and preserve the surrounding environment.
Jacynthe Côté, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Alcan, highlighted the importance of its technology to Sohar Aluminium's operations. "Rio Tinto Alcan's benchmark AP 35 technology is the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly smelter technology commercially available. With AP technology in place, Sohar Aluminium will stand among the most cost-effective and innovative facilities in the world."
Bruce Hall, CEO of Sohar Aluminium, commended the "extraordinary" efforts of all those involved in the implementation of a project that, he said, aspires to be the "benchmark smelter of the future". "Thirty-six million man-hours have been expended during the life of the project, by more than 10,000 people who have passed through the site from 24 separate countries," Hall said, adding that the venture would continue to provide direct sustainable incomes for over 1,000 families. Yesterday's inaugural ceremony marked the latest milestone in the development of the smelter project which began producing hot metal last June and reached full production capacity of 360,000 tonnes of primary aluminium metal on February 19 this year.
SOHAR -- The Sohar Aluminium project was formally inaugurated here yesterday with high-ranking officials hailing the $2.4 billion undertaking as a milestone venture that has already begun to generate immense socioeconomic benefits for the Batinah region and the nation as a whole.
His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tareq al Said, Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan, led a high-profile gathering of government and private sector dignitaries at the inaugural ceremony held at the site of the project Oman's biggest industrial enterprise. The project, jointly owned by Oman Oil Company (40 per cent), Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority -- ADWEA (40 per cent) and Rio Tinto Alcan (20 per cent), has already won global acclaim for its superior, environment-friendly and energy-efficient technology, which makes Sohar Aluminium extremely competitive even amid the current global economic downturn.
"The Sohar Aluminium project is one of the largest economic investments ever made by the Government of Oman through Oman Oil Company (OOC)," Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and OOC Chairman stated. He added that the project would create greater employment opportunities in the Sultanate, particularly in the Batinah region, and in the primary aluminium processing industries, as well as creating further indirect jobs in the local market.
Shaikh Dhiab bin Zayed al Nahyan, Chairman of ADWEA of the United Arab Emirates, added: The contribution of the UAE in this vital project comes from the deep belief in the importance of the economic partnership in strengthening the brotherly bonds between both countries. This project is in line with the government's strategic vision on the importance of the economic integration of our countries to face major world economic alliances."
Ahmed bin Salim al Wahaibi, Chairman of Sohar Aluminium, underlined the project's contribution to the creation of substantial jobs. A total of 679 Omanis are now part of the company's roughly 1,000-strong workforce, which places Omanisation at 68 per cent -- an impressive figure for a major industry at launch. Indirect jobs created as a result of the venture will be close to four times the size of Sohar Aluminium's workforce, he added.
Furthermore, by assisting in the development of downstream industries through Takamul -- a joint venture between OOC and Emirati investors, Sohar Aluminium will generate further opportunities for growth in the Batinah region, the Chairman said. The company has also earmarked a percentage of its annual profit for initiatives that support local industry and the community.
Stressing Sohar Aluminium's commitment to Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) goals, Al Wahaibi said the company has implemented world-class EHS standards through the use of benchmark technology and procedures which reduce emissions and preserve the surrounding environment.
Jacynthe Côté, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Alcan, highlighted the importance of its technology to Sohar Aluminium's operations. "Rio Tinto Alcan's benchmark AP 35 technology is the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly smelter technology commercially available. With AP technology in place, Sohar Aluminium will stand among the most cost-effective and innovative facilities in the world."
Bruce Hall, CEO of Sohar Aluminium, commended the "extraordinary" efforts of all those involved in the implementation of a project that, he said, aspires to be the "benchmark smelter of the future". "Thirty-six million man-hours have been expended during the life of the project, by more than 10,000 people who have passed through the site from 24 separate countries," Hall said, adding that the venture would continue to provide direct sustainable incomes for over 1,000 families. Yesterday's inaugural ceremony marked the latest milestone in the development of the smelter project which began producing hot metal last June and reached full production capacity of 360,000 tonnes of primary aluminium metal on February 19 this year.
By Conrad Prabhu
© Oman Daily Observer 2009
