Mr Duncan Hedditch CEO -Emirates Aluminium has confirmed at the MEED Abu Dhabi Conference that the UAE's industrial flagship, the world's largest single site aluminum smelter complex is on schedule to produce hot metal by 2010.

Mr Hedditch commented that from a vision of the future to an emerging reality incorporating the latest developments on the EMAL site, production updates and a review of milestones achieved.

He said that "From the first ground breaking in May 2007 and the first concrete piling in January 2008, we have made outstanding progress and the latest achievement is the erection of the first Potroom Steel, which took place in October 2008. Phase one is on schedule to produce hot metal in 2010, and we are currently undertaking the pre feasibility survey for phase two."

The finished smelter will be the largest in the world, producing 1.4 million tonnes of aluminum once phase two is active. The EMAL smelter complex adds tangible value to the industrialization of the Abu Dhabi economy and its diversification beyond oil and gas, encouraging downstream opportunities and potential employment in the region.