Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based international aluminium smelter, said that construction has started on site on its landmark Line 6 Expansion Project following the completion of the Feed (front-end engineering design) study.

The expansion project covers an area of approximately 60 hectares. As the required earthwork cut-and-fill volume is about 1.8 million cu m, the ‘surface mining’ technique was chosen as the preferred method to remove earthwork materials in order to meet the schedule and cost requirements of this project.  The contracts for removal of bulk material for the sixth Potline have been awarded to local Bahraini contractors who are now working in conjunction with the surface miners.

Alba’s chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa said: “Line 6 Expansion Project has started to take shape with the site being mobilised for preparation work - one of the major activities - which will ensure the rapid start of construction activities.

“We are also very pleased that the site-works contracts have been awarded to local Bahraini companies as that will bring significant opportunities for the kingdom’s local businesses and economy.”

As of the first week of June, approximately 40 per cent of the material to be excavated from the potline has been removed. Earthworks at the Line 6 Expansion Project is expected to be complete by the end of September.

It expects to significantly increase its value-added exports to North America with the ramp-up of Line 6 Expansion Project, said its top official.

Alba’s CEO Tim Murray was speaking at the Harbour’s 10th Aluminium Summit, being held at the Radisson Blu Aqua, in Chicago, US.

Murray took part in a panel discussion along with speakers from several major aluminium players discussing strategic market subjects such as import duties, LME prices and premium outlook as well as raw materials and demand outlook, said a statement from the company.