JEDDAH: Atlas Copco has received two significant orders related to the Ma'aden aluminum project in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its position as a leading supplier of compressed air and gas equipment in the region. The orders are valued at more than $50 million. Atlas Copco will supply 20 turbo compressors for a power generation application in a new plant outside of Jubail. The customer is a consortium of the Al-Arrab contracting company and Sepco III Electric Construction Corporation of China. The combined 2 400 MW power and desalination plant will provide power, steam and water for the aluminum smelter being constructed by the Ma'aden Saudi Arabian Mining Company. Atlas Copco earlier received a turnkey contract to supply the complete compressed air system for the Ma'aden aluminum smelter and will deliver five of its largest oil-free air compressors as well as two smaller compressors and dryers. “Atlas Copco's proven competence and experience from these kinds of projects throughout the world, combined with the reliability of our equipment, were essential in winning these orders,” said Stephan Kuhn, Business Area president, Atlas Copco Compressor Technique. “Investments in aluminum smelters in the Middle East are growing and we have a strong presence in this market segment.” The power generation order was booked $40 million. The machines are set to be delivered in the first half of 2012. The order for the aluminum smelter was received already in the first quarter. The Ma'aden aluminum plant will have a capacity of 740 000 tons of aluminum and 1.8 million tons of alumina per year. The site will consist of an alumina refinery, aluminum smelter and roll mill. Separately, Ma'aden plans to more than double its gold production to 400,000 ounces per year by 2015, an executive told Reuters earlier.
