RIYADH: Saudi Arabian Mining Company's (Maaden's) huge phosphate mining and processing project in the northeast of the Kingdom took a step closer to becoming a physical reality with the signing of a SR180 million deal between InfraCo, the infrastructure subsidiary of Maaden, and Azmel Establishment here yesterday. The contract, for the manufacture and construction of about 500 residential units at Ras Al Zour puts the project's feet firmly on the ground in the area.
The agreement was the first phase of an integrated residential village development project. The contract was signed on behalf of InfraCo by Khalid S. Al-Mudaifer, vice president, Phosphate SBU, new business development & marketing and Chairman of InfraCo Abdulrahman bin Fahd AlJaber on behalf of Azmel.
Maaden President and CEO Abdallah Dabbagh said that the project has been awarded to Azmel following the assessment of bids from several Saudi companies. "This work represents the first step in establishing a residential village, which has extensive facilities, for Maaden employees at Raz Al Zour."
When completed, the village will include a shopping center, administrative buildings, a mosque, a restaurant, sports facilities and a water treatment unit as well as residential units. The total 156,000 square meter area for the first phase, which will take about 21 months to complete, consists of 500 residential units.
The whole Ras Al Zour integrated residential village project that will be home for employees for Maaden's phosphate, aluminum and infrastructure projects is planned to include 2,200 residential units in varying levels of accommodation together with administrative and service buildings, sports and recreational facilities and 895,197 square meters of green parkland.
© Arab News 2009
