The local/UK Al-Futtaim Carillion (AFC) has won a contract for civil works at the expansion of Emirates Aluminium’s (Emal) smelting complex in the UAE.

AFC will carry out the concrete pouring works for the potlines and reduction area on the project, which is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2014.

Emal is expanding its smelting operations in Taweelah, half way between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, to produce 1.3 million tonnes a year (t/y) of primary aluminium, up from a current capacity of 750,000 t/y.

The company awarded UK-based William Hare Structural Engineers the contract to provide the steel structure for the new potlines earlier this year.

On 1 May, Emal chief executive officer Saeed al-Mazrouei said the $5bn phase two expansion had started ahead of schedule and was 7 per cent complete.