Bechtel has started construction work on Saudi Arabia's first ever aluminum smelter at the Ma'aden (Saudi Arabian Mining Co.) minerals industry complex at the Ras Az Zawr Minerals Industrial City. The smelter will include a carbon plant for anode production, ingot cast house, material handling, and support facilities. Aluminum operations at Ras Az Zawr will be powered by a joint power and desalination plant, which will generate 2,400MW of electricity and 1.025 million cubic meters of water per day. The aluminum complex will use 1,350MW of electricity and 25,000 cubic meters of water per day. First production from the aluminum smelter and the rolling mill is expected in 2013. The $4 billion smelter will be constructed as two-high amperage potlines utilizing Pechiney AP technology and will produce 740,000 tons of aluminum per year. Most of the aluminum will be exported, while at least 250,000 tons will feed the adjacent rolling mill. The industry complex is being developed by Ma'aden and will also house an alumina refinery and a rolling mill. Bechtel will provide engineering, procurement, and construction services for the aluminum smelter. The minerals industry complex is situated 90 kilometers north of Jubail. Bechtel has managed the development of the Jubail Industrial City since the mid-1970s.
