Monday, April 28th, 2008

Local VIPs witness Sohar Aluminium’s ‘zero harm’ commitment


DIGNITARIES including several Shura Council members from the Al Batinah region and the Wali of Saham visited the Sohar Aluminium smelter site recently for an update on the project’s progress and an overview of the company’s world-class environmental monitoring systems.

Oman Council member Al Mukaram Sayed Qahtan bin Yareb Al Busaidi was joined by Shura Council members HE Ali Musalim Rashid Al Badi from Saham, HE Saleh Ibrahim Al Balooshi from Liwa, HE Yosef Ahmed Shahen Al Balooshi from Shinas and His Excellency Khalaf Salim Abdullah Al Isehaqi, Wali of Saham, for the tour conducted by Sohar Aluminium Chief Executive Tony Kinsman and General Manager Commercial and Corporate Affairs, Dr Hilal Al Hinai.

The tour followed another successful site visit in March by the Walis of Sohar and Liwa and sheikhs from the local region.

“As one of the newest members of the Sohar community, our company is committed to being a good neighbour and allaying any concerns people may have about the impact of our business on the community and the environment,” said Dr Al Hinai.

“Aluminium smelting is one of the cleanest manufacturing processes in the world and we are confident that our technologically advanced monitoring and preventative systems will ensure that any emissions from our smelter will not exceed Omani and international standards.”

During the tour the dignitaries saw the smelter’s gas treatment centres, where hydroflouride emissions from the potroom will be recovered and treated, and were given an overview of the extensive monitoring systems for air, water and noise that will be in place when the smelter begins operations in June this year.

“Sohar Aluminium also has a dedicated water desalination plant as well as a modern sewage treatment plant based on membrane bioreactor technology to achieve high quality treated water,” Dr Al Hinai said. “Our goal is to have zero effluent discharge through re-use and recycling, in line with our company-wide ‘zero harm’ policy.”

The visitors were also given a comprehensive overview of the company’s commitment to providing opportunities for the people of the Al Batinah region.

“To date, our project has injected almost $US400 million into the local economy through Omani businesses and contractors and we have employed around 540 young Omanis, many of whom are from Sohar, Liwa, Shinas and Saham. Supporting and investing in local people, the community and industry is a key objective of our company,” Dr Al Hinai said.