Emirates Aluminium (Emal) has erected the first structural steel for the phase II expansion of its aluminium smelter in Taweelah, Abu Dhabi.

Emal chief executive officer (CEO) Saaed al-Mazrooei said the progress means the project to expand production to 1.4 million tonnes a year (t/y) is on schedule. The estimated $5bn is expected to be completed by 2014.

The company is a joint venture between Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Development Company and Dubai Aluminium (Dubal).