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Aluminium Bahrain's current project to add a fifth potline is gathering pace. When completed as scheduled in February 2005 Line 5, at a cost or around $1.7billion, will lift overall capacity to 819000tyyr, which ALBA claims will make it the largest smelter in the world outside Eastern Europe. A review of the latest progress with the engineering works reflects the latest technologies required and the scale of operations involved in delivering a new smelter cell line - not only in the production aspects but also in environmental control and Health & Safety considerations.
Building the largest AP30 potline in the world together with its captive power station and the integration into the existing facilities provides numerous challenges to the project and operational teams. With aggressive safety, schedule, cost and ramp-up targets the project team is having to think creatively to achieve the company s goals.
Alba firmly believes that the Line 5 project extends its strategy for the sustainable development of the smeller and ils contribution to Bahrain's economy by additional wealth generation and employment opportunities - and providing a boost for downstream industries. It is also providing an ideal training and learning opportunity for some of Alba's national management staff and workforce who will be of benefit to the company in future years. In addition, the international management skills and work practices brought into the local industry are greatly benefiting the smallerscale local contractors who are acquiring management support and advanced technical experience necessary for making them significant players in their respective fields.
Major milestone events reflect the timely progress of the Line 5 project since its initial stages of development and indicate the speed and efficiency at which the expansion has been proceeding in order to meet the target schedule. One of the more significant developments has been the success of local contractors for Line 5 project work. This has included: the Central workshop building; Potline Area - Mechanical Installation and Substation Buildings; the Spent Potline Storage Facility (SPL), and the Water Treatment Plant.
Key work in preparation for the smelter package has covered the bulk excavation works of pot-line 5 and the levelling of the areas where structures and facilities are to be built on.
Construction of the roads and surface...