30 May 2013
RIYADH -- Alcoa and The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) announced completion of a first-of-its-kind engineered wetlands wastewater management system in Saudi Arabia at Ma'aden Aluminium joint venture project site.
The newly constructed system will reduce water demand by nearly two million US gallons (7.5 million liters) of water per day and save more than $7million (SR 26m) annually that would otherwise be used to purchase fresh water.
The Alcoa designed and engineered technology - known as a Natural Engineered Wetland Wastewater Treatment system - collects sanitary and industrial wastewater and then cleans and disinfects the water, without the use of chemicals or the creation of water discharge and odors associated with conventional tank systems.
The water will then be reused in the manufacturing process and for irrigation at the Ma'aden Aluminium complex at Ras Al Khair. The complex includes a refinery, smelter and rolling mill.
"Sustainable development is a core value for Ma'aden" said Abdulaziz A. Al Harbi, Ma'aden's Aluminium company president "It is also a critical component of our operating excellence that will enable Ma'aden Aluminium to become the world's lowest-cost producer of primary aluminum, alumina and aluminum products, with access to growing markets in the Middle East and beyond".
"This innovative waste management system demonstrates the value of combining local knowledge and expertise with the technological depth and sustainability leadership that Alcoa brings to the Ma'aden-Alcoa joint venture," said Ray Kilmer, Alcoa's Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
RIYADH -- Alcoa and The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) announced completion of a first-of-its-kind engineered wetlands wastewater management system in Saudi Arabia at Ma'aden Aluminium joint venture project site.
The newly constructed system will reduce water demand by nearly two million US gallons (7.5 million liters) of water per day and save more than $7million (SR 26m) annually that would otherwise be used to purchase fresh water.
The Alcoa designed and engineered technology - known as a Natural Engineered Wetland Wastewater Treatment system - collects sanitary and industrial wastewater and then cleans and disinfects the water, without the use of chemicals or the creation of water discharge and odors associated with conventional tank systems.
The water will then be reused in the manufacturing process and for irrigation at the Ma'aden Aluminium complex at Ras Al Khair. The complex includes a refinery, smelter and rolling mill.
"Sustainable development is a core value for Ma'aden" said Abdulaziz A. Al Harbi, Ma'aden's Aluminium company president "It is also a critical component of our operating excellence that will enable Ma'aden Aluminium to become the world's lowest-cost producer of primary aluminum, alumina and aluminum products, with access to growing markets in the Middle East and beyond".
"This innovative waste management system demonstrates the value of combining local knowledge and expertise with the technological depth and sustainability leadership that Alcoa brings to the Ma'aden-Alcoa joint venture," said Ray Kilmer, Alcoa's Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
© The Saudi Gazette 2013
