Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has completed a debottlenecking expansion at its Al Taweelah alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi, increasing production capacity by up to 50,000 tonnes of alumina annually.
The expansion involved the installation of a third ball mill, a key component in the refining process that grinds bauxite ore into fine particles before chemical processing into alumina. The new mill supplements the two existing units, reducing the risk of unplanned outages and enhancing operational reliability.
The Al Taweelah facility is the UAE’s only alumina refinery and one of the largest industrial sites in the country. Since its commissioning in 2019, the refinery has exceeded its nameplate capacity of 2 million tonnes of alumina per year. In 2024, it supplied 49 per cent of EGA’s total alumina demand.
The latest project was managed entirely by EGA’s internal teams, covering engineering, project management, construction, and commissioning. The construction phase spanned under two and a half years, with over 650,000 work hours completed without a Lost Time Injury.
“This expansion is a key step forward for Al Taweelah alumina refinery, unlocking additional production capacity as we reorient our bauxite supply chain beyond Guinea,” said Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA. “It further strengthens our operational resilience and unlocks capacity growth. I thank every member of the team who contributed to this success.”
The development is part of EGA’s broader strategy to secure raw material inputs and enhance self-sufficiency in aluminium production. The company is also looking to diversify its bauxite sourcing amid logistical and geopolitical uncertainties in major supply regions.
The addition of the third ball mill is expected to support EGA’s long-term production targets and maintain high utilisation rates at the Al Taweelah site, which plays a central role in the company’s integrated aluminium value chain.