2009


December 20, 2009

First primary aluminium produced in Qatar

The first of Qatalum’s 704 reduction cells started operation on Sunday morning, on schedule. Qatalum’s Board Chairman, Mr. Abdulla Salatt considers this milestone a historic beginning of aluminium production in Qatar, confirming Qatalum’s ability to deliver on time, within budget and with an excellent environmental and safety standard.

December 18, 2009

Qatalum exports its first aluminium on Qatar National Day

On the 18th December, 2009, Qatalum made its first shipment of aluminium foundry alloys, marking the start of aluminium exports from Qatar. This coincides with the Qatar National Day and follows weeks of test production at the Casthouse.

December 17, 2009

CEO's invited to Doha for GAC Committee meeting

On December 16th Qatalum hosted the Gulf Aluminium Council’s (GAC) quarterly meeting. The meeting was represented by all the Gulf aluminium producers and discussed ways to coordinate and promote the interests of the members of the Council.

October 29, 2009

Qatalum’s first ship comes in

On the 26th of October 2009, Qatalum received its first shipment of raw material at its berth in Mesaieed. This significant milestone represents Qatalum’s readiness for production of first aluminium at the end of 2009.

October 22, 2009

New CEO in Qatalum

Jan Arve Haugan, head of Hydro’s international smelter portfolio, has taken over as CEO of Qatalum after Truls Gautesen, who has worked the last four years in the project to build one of the world’s most cost-efficient aluminium smelters.

October 4, 2009

Qatar’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry and CEO of Hydro endorse Qatalum’s excellent progress

On October 4th, 2009, HE Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar visited the Qatalum Project in Mesaieed. Accompanying him were Terje Vareberg, Head of the Hydro Board and Svein Richard Brandtzaeg, Hydro CEO. Mr. Abdulla Salatt, Chairman of the Qatalum Board of Directors and other board members were also present as were some General Managers of industries based in Mesaieed. The delegation was led by CEO, Truls Gautesen, DCEO, Hassan Al Rashid and the Qatalum management team.

September 24, 2009

Qatalum celebrates holiday with an Eid Brunch

On the 22 September employees of Qatalum were invited to the Al Silia ballroom of the Grand Hyatt to participate in festivities of Eid Al Fitr. Treated to a brunch which also contained traditional food, the day’s program involved and showcased unique Qatari cultural activities and traditions.

September 24, 2009

Impressive Qatalum on schedule according to Hydro’s Head of Primary Metals

Hilde Merete Aasheim, Executive Vice President, Primary Metal at Hydro accompanied by Qatalum board member, Jan A. Haugan, Head of Global Smelters visited Qatalum on 17 September where they gained several positive experiences. In anticipation to the commissioning of the Plant, Ms Aasheim’s objective is to stay close to the progress of the project, now 90% complete.

September 8, 2009

Water conservation - a matter of principle at Qatalum

At the Qatalum Village saving water is a big deal, so big in fact that the initiatives taken have yielded hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings and a similar number of gallons of water being reused. Qatalum’s ongoing commitment to the environment is reflected here by using the most advanced water management practices.

August 26, 2009

Advanced rectiformers increase Qatalum’s energy efficiency

Qatalum is staying ahead of global industrial obligations on energy efficiency by investing in and implementing cutting edge technology. An example of how this energy efficient focus is being put into action comes from the installation of high-power converters (rectiformers) at the smelter in Mesaieed, Qatar.