Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced that its Al Taweelah alumina refinery has been certified for its environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Performance Standard has more than 100 environmental, social and governance requirements. Certification of operations follows a rigorous independent audit of policies, practices and performance. All EGA operational assets around the world are now certified to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Performance Standard V2 (2017).
Al Taweelah alumina refinery, which converts bauxite ore into alumina, began operations in 2019, producing 2.43mn tonnes of alumina in 2022. It has relatively low greenhouse gas emissions, due to highly efficient processes and operations. The responsible management of bauxite residue, a by-product from the refining process, has been a key priority. EGA has made a global breakthrough in the re-use of bauxite residue as a manufactured soil, and is advancing further potential uses including in novel construction materials.
In addition, EGA said it was the first company in the world to make aluminium commercially using solar power.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, chief executive officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said, “Aluminium has an essential role to play in the development of a more sustainable society, and it also matters how sustainably aluminium is made. Certification to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Performance Standard is a transparent and independent verification of our commitment to sustainability, and I am proud all EGA’s operational assets are now certified. Our next goal is to start producing ASI-certified metal during next year, and to produce only ASI-certified metal by 2030.”
In 2019, EGA became the first company in the Middle East to achieve an Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Performance Standard certification, for its Al Taweelah smelter in the UAE, and EGA’s Jebel Ali site was certified in 2021. EGA’s subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) achieved the first certification of bauxite mining in Africa for their operations in Guinea, earlier this year.
EGA’s existing separate certifications for its Al Taweelah and Jebel Ali smelter and casting operations, and its new certification for Al Taweelah alumina refinery, have been combined into a single certification for all EGA operations in the UAE.
