On the 21 of January, 2013, a 17 month contract was signed between Qatalum and Dutco McConnell Dowell (Qatar) LLC. to construct the relining facility which will provide all workshop needs for the renewal of lining for pots reaching the end of their operational life.
The US$ 28.5 million contract signing took place in the Al Zubara meeting room within Qatalum and in attendance was the CEO and DCEO, Bergitte Husa Kippernes, Manager Operational Support, owner’s representative for the Relining Facility Project, Procurement Manager, Head of Contracts and the Senior Buyer for the project and the contractor representatives. This is the largest value CAPEX project undertaken by Qatalum since its initial project.
The tender was launched on the 20th May 2012 with its closing taking place on the 6th September 2012. The contract was awarded on the 19th of December 2012 with the project completion agreed for full operation by May, 2014.
The new facility will be located in an area outside the existing Qatalum Phase 1 smelter. This area will be leased by Qatalum from MIC and a fence arrangement will be adapted to include the new location within the Qatalum fence upon completion of the project.
The facility consists of the following:
Construction of land bridge between the Qatalum smelter and new site, Relining buildings with associated systems and equipment, Anode superstructure workshop with associated systems and equipment, Offices, restrooms with furnishing and associated systems, Cathode cooling and parking station, Area for storage of spent pot lining (SPL) containers
An important part of the project consists of the reinforcement of 4 of 5 existing ramps and the reinforcement of 2 additional quarter passageways within the existing smelter potrooms. Resurfacing of the access road running from the northern end of potrooms will also be a part of the project.
Bergitte Husa Kippernes, Manager Operational Support, Owner’s representative for Relining Facility Project commented, “Relining Facility Project is the biggest and most expensive project that the Qatalum organisation has developed after the start-up of the plant. Throughout the last two years we have, in parallel, been developing both the project scope for the relining facility project itself and the general approval procedures and practices for business plan projects within Qatalum.
“I consider today’s signing a major achievement for Qatalum, as it is based upon the combined efforts from several dedicated persons, from many different departments within Qatalum and over a long time span.”
Jeremy Coles, Managing Director of Dutco McConnell Dowell Qatar added, “We are very pleased to have been selected as the successful bidder to execute the Relining Facility Project. This enables us to further develop the solid relationship we have with Qatalum that commenced with our participation in the construction of the initial plant in 2008. We look forward to another successful project with the Qatalum projects team.”
Ultimately the project will result in Qatalum being able to carry out renewal of our production units in a timely and safe manner, and to keep our production targets at a steady level.
