Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has strengthened its workplace safety and workforce development programme by becoming the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East to join the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) Accredited Training Scheme (ATS).
The accreditation enables Alba to deliver LEEA-approved training programmes to its employees and provide internationally recognised certifications to personnel who successfully complete the relevant training.
The initiative is focused on developing the skills and competence of crane operators and other employees involved in lifting activities. It also supports the alignment of Alba’s lifting operations with internationally recognised safety standards and established industry practices.
The accreditation forms part of Alba’s wider approach to strengthening safety performance, operational excellence and employee development. By bringing approved training capabilities in-house, the company can enhance workforce competency while supporting a proactive approach to managing risks associated with critical lifting activities.
Commenting on the achievement, Alba's Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baqali, said:
“Safety is more than just a priority at Alba; it is a core value that underpins every aspect of our operations.
Becoming the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East to join LEEA's Accredited Training Scheme reflects our commitment to developing highly skilled personnel, adopting international best practices and setting new benchmarks for safety excellence across the industry. This achievement further strengthens our capability to provide world-class training while ensuring the highest standards of safety for our employees and contractors.”
LEEA Chief Executive Officer Dr Ross Moloney said the accreditation demonstrates Alba’s focus on building workforce competence for safe lifting operations.
“Competence is at the heart of safe lifting operations, and Alba’s achievement of approval under LEEA’s Accredited Training Scheme demonstrates its commitment to developing the knowledge and capability of its workforce. Alba is the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East to receive this specific ATS approval, which permits the delivery of specified LEEA-approved training exclusively to its own employees and within the scope agreed with LEEA. We are pleased to support Alba’s investment in internal workforce development and its commitment to safety, competence, professionalism and continuous improvement in lifting operations.”
Under the accreditation, Alba’s training programme will support employees involved in lifting operations while reinforcing competency and risk management across the organisation.
The company said the initiative contributes to its objective of embedding a proactive safety culture throughout its operations, with a focus on strengthening workforce capabilities, reducing operational risks and improving standards for critical lifting activities.
Alba is a major aluminium producer with an annual production capacity of more than 1.623 million tonnes, based on 2025 output. The company has a 50-year operating history and supplies standard and value-added aluminium products to more than 280 customers worldwide.
The company has sales offices in Zurich and Singapore, as well as a US subsidiary, and is listed on both Bahrain Bourse and the London Stock Exchange. Its shareholders include Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company B.S.C. with 69.38%, Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) with 20.62% and the general public with 10%.
Alba maintains certifications covering quality, environmental management, information security, occupational health and safety, security operations management, automotive quality and business continuity, alongside Aluminium Stewardship Initiative standards and its EcoVadis sustainability rating.
The company has also identified sustainability as a key area of its long-term strategy. Its ESG Roadmap, launched in 2022, covers decarbonisation, green energy and aluminium, circular economy and secondary aluminium, employee welfare, collaboration and partnership, and transparency, communications and due diligence.
Among its sustainability initiatives are a US$37.5 million spent pot lining treatment plant, the Power Station 5 Block 4 project and a planned 6 MW-plus solar farm. Alba has also introduced EternAl, a low-carbon aluminium product range launched in May 2024, with product series incorporating recycled content and verified in-house carbon offsets.
Safety remains a central focus for the company. Alba reported achieving 48 million safe working hours without a lost-time injury in July 2026. Its safety performance has also received international recognition, including RoSPA’s Lifetime President and President Awards, British Safety Council International Safety Awards and National Safety Council awards.
Through its Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Alba also maintains communication with stakeholders including communities and environmental and social groups. The company uses the plan to address environmental and social impacts associated with its operations and maintains an external grievance mechanism through its Code of Conduct.
