Two major contracts were signed recently for Ma’aden’s mega phosphate projects.

The contracts are for the power and desalination plant as well as the beneficiation plant of what will be the world’s largest fully integrated phosphate fertiliser complex.
The power and desalination plant which will be located at the phosphate processing complex at Ras Az Zawr will be undertaken by Hanwha Engineering and Construction Corporation (Hanwah) of Korea.  The value of the contract is $280 million.
The beneficiation plant will be located at the phosphate mine site in Al Jalamid in the north of the kingdom.  The $350 million contract was won by Guizhou Hongfu Industry and Commerce Development Co Ltd (Hongfu) of China.
Site mobilisation for the power and desalination plant commenced in January with construction scheduled to start in May.  The plant is expected to be completed and fully operational by the middle of 2010.
The power plant consists of 2 x 66 per cent Siemens condensing steam turbines and generators, with an output of 126.76 MW base load and 146.53 MW peak load.  The phosphate project is expected to be a net exporter to the grid of approximately 10 MW, depending on final load examination.
The desalination plant will utilise the Entropie Multi Effect Distillation (MED) process. It can process up to 40,000 cu m per day.  The plant will also include storage facilities for desalinated, process and potable water.
Construction on the beneficiation plant at Al Jalamid will commence in April 2008, with completion expected by May 2010.
The beneficiation plant is required to remove calcium and magnesium carbonates from the phosphate deposit run-of-mine ore to produce 4.63 MTPY dry phosphate concentrate suitable for use in the manufacture of phosphoric acid.