Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) expects to hit the 760,000 tonnes a year capacity of its aluminium smelter at Ras al-Khair in the Eastern Province of the kingdom by the end of 2015.

An executive speaking to reporters at a conference in Dubai said that Maaden’s alumina refinery was ramping up production and was expected to reach its 1.8 million t/y capacity shortly. The official said the company’s bauxite mines in the north of the kingdom were also working.

Maaden’s smelter is part of a $10.6bn complex at Ras al-Khair and is the first facility of its type in the region that encompasses the full aluminium value chain.