Dubai Aluminium Company's (Dubal) $736 million expansion project code-named Condor was formally inaugurated early last month.

Vice chairman, Mohammed Ali Alabbar, said the project, which was managed entirely in-house, was completed ahead of schedule, within budget and without a serious accident. The latest (sixth) potline comprised 240, CD200 energy-efficient reduction cells that were jointly developed by Dubal and Comalco of Australia.

Significantly, an additional 440 MW of power will, when combined with progressive productivity enhancements, produce up to 536,000 tonnes per year, or around 40 per cent more aluminium, with virtually no increase in gas consumption. Referring to the environmental implications, Alabbar advised that about $70 million had been invested in the latest emission control equipment designed to enhance environmental protection.

Aside from a new potline, Condor involved major upgrades in many supporting facilities, including power generation, carbon anode manufacture and casting, where two new product lines have been added. Dubal has also substantially enhanced its ability to meet its growing customer base by adopting the latest and best technologies.

Condor makes Dubal the largest single-site aluminium smelter in the Western World. Economy of scale, combined with excellent technology will enable the company to significantly reduce its production costs.