The complex is intended to exploit the mineral deposits of phosphate and aluminium in the eastern region of the country.
Ras Al-Khair multi-commodity minerals industrial city is connected to Saudi Arabian Mining (Ma'aden) mines located in the northern part of the country through a 1,500km mineral railway link. It also includes a port to enable trading of products to global markets.
The mining and minerals processing complex also includes a $5.5bn phosphate project which is operated by Ma'aden in partnership with petrochemical giant Saudi Basic Industries (SABIC).
The phosphate complex consists of a phosphoric acid plant, a sulphuric acid plant, an ammonia plant, a di-ammonium phosphate granulation plant, a co-generation and desalination plant.
Additional facilities at the Ras Al-Khair Industrial City include $10.8bn aluminum facility which is operated by Ma’aden and US firm Alcoa. It is said to be is one of the world’s largest fully integrated aluminium facilities
The Ma’aden Aluminium facility comprises a refinery, smelter and rolling mill.
Earlier this year, the government announced its plan to expand the gross domestic product from its mining sector to SAR240bn ($64bn) by 2030 from current SAR64bn ($16bn), reported Reuters.
The Ras Al-Khair project has created 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Maaden CEO Khalid Al-Mudaifer was reported by Arab News as saying: “Ras Al-Khair is the anchor of the Saudi mining sector and as such it will play a significant role in the economic diversification of the Saudi economy.”
Image: The Ma’aden aluminum facility at the mining and minerals processing complex in Saudi Arabia. Photo: courtesy of Maaden – Saudi Arabian Mining Company.
