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.
Hilde Aasheim in discussion with employees in Training with Jan A. Haugan in the foreground
Meeting its goal
Art from supporting the people involved in the Qatalum Project towards achieving their goal, Hilde Aasheim was always deeply impressed by the ethnic diversity and high level of competency and energy at the Project. Further to which she commented on several aspects of Qatalum. "Compared to my first visit in April, there are so many more people on site now. I am impressed by Qatalum's ability to have recruited so many top professionals that will contribute towards making Qatalum world class. Despite unforeseeable problems, I feel thoroughly reassured that this project is on schedule - that's our goal."
In discussions at the Potroom
Touring the Casthouse with the CEO, Truls Gautesen
Strategic partnership - world-class smelter
A detailed walk through the entire plant took the better part of four hours, covering all its primary components from the Carbon plant through to the Power Plant and Port. During a break in the tour Ms Aasheim said, "Most elements of the Plant are nearly complete and one must see the sheer scale of Qatalum to believe it," adding that, "The Qatalum project is a credit to the partnership between Qatar Petroleum and Hydro and that the strategic decision to build and operate a world-class aluminium smelter in Qatar is based on a sound energy and operational background, forming a perfect fit."
