Emirates Aluminium (Emal) has put on hold plans to build two smelters worth a combined $10bn in Algeria and Saudi Arabia due to external pressures in both countries, Meed has reported, citing sources. Algeria’s Beni Saf Aluminium Smelter project has been delayed following the corruption scandal that engulfed Emal’s joint venture partner, the state-owned energy company Sonatrach, while the Ras al-Zour smelter being constructed by the Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Maaden) and the US’ Alcoa, has pushed other smelter projects onto the backburner.