SOHAR ALUMINIUM CELEBRATES MAJOR PRODUCTION MILESTONE

 

　　Ranked as the world's most modern smelter with its own 1,000 MW power station, Sohar Aluminium attributes the achievement of this major production milestone to its strategic focus on maximising operating efficiencies, continuous improvement and the dedication of its employees.

 

　　Sohar Aluminium was formed in September 2004 to undertake a landmark Greenfield aluminium smelter project in the Sultanate of Oman.  Jointly owned by Oman Oil Company, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC - TAQA and Rio Tinto Alcan, Sohar Aluminium reached full capacity on 19 February 2009 and scant 30 months later celebrates its 1 millionth tonne produced.  In that time capacity was quickly upgraded from 350,000 tonnes per year to 375,000 tonnes per year.

 

　　Sohar Aluminium also focuses on number important issues outside of its production. Omanisation, which currently stands at 70% of its workforce is a driving force within the organisation.  The company’s target by 2015 is to be 85% Omanised.  The development of its young employees is paramount and with that in mind, Sohar Aluminium has launched a training academy which will give each and every employee the opportunity for further learning.

 

　　Sohar Aluminium is very proud of the fact that 56% of its spend is in the local market which equated to US$50 million for the year 2010 and a 0.6% contribution to the Oman’s GDP.

 

　　As companies do not work in a vacuum, Sohar Aluminium is committed to working with its local community.  To enable this, the Shareholders have committed 1.5% of their profits towards corporate social responsibility. Currently, Sohar Aluminium is working together with ORPIC (Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries) and Vale on the formation a Foundation that will benefit the greater community for years to come.