Saudi Arabian Mining Co. (Maaden) said a subsidiary had started commercial production at a new bauxite mine and alumina refinery which could begin exporting some of its output in coming months.
Production will reach maximum annual capacity of 1.8 million tons of alumina by early 2017, meeting Maaden's domestic requirement of 1.4 million tons for its smelter and allowing the surplus to be sold elsewhere in the region and internationally, the company said.
The subsidiary is 74.9 percent owned by Maaden and 25.1 percent owned by US firm Alcoa. The Saudi company said earnings from the venture would begin to have an impact on its results in the fourth quarter of this year.

Source: Arab News