Maaden-alcoa move to conserve water

Alcoa and the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) yesterday announced completion of a first-of-its-kind engineered wetlands wastewater management system in Saudi Arabia at the Maaden-Alcoa joint venture ( JV) project site.

The newly constructed system will reduce water demand by nearly two million gallons (7.5 million liters) per day and save more than $ 7 million (SR 26 million) annually that would otherwise be used to purchase fresh water.

The Alcoa-designed and engineered technology, known as a Natural Engineered Wastewater Treatment system, collects sanitary and industrial wastewater and then cleans and disinfects the water without the use of chemicals or the creation of water discharge and odors associated with conventional tank systems. The water will then be reused in the manufacturing process and for irrigation at the Maaden-Alcoa aluminum complex at Ras Al-Khair. The complex includes a refinery, smelter and rolling mill.

"Sustainable development is a core value for Maaden," said Abdulaziz A. Al-Harbi, Maaden Aluminium's president. "It is also a critical component of our operating excellence that will enable Maaden Aluminium to become the world's lowest-cost producer of primary aluminum, alumina and aluminum products, with access to growing markets in the Middle East and beyond."

" This innovative waste management system demonstrates the value of combining Maaden's local knowledge and expertise with the technological depth and sustainability leadership that Alcoa brings to the Maaden- Alcoa joint venture," said Ray Kilmer, Alcoa's executive vice president and chief technology officer.