Restoration of EGA aluminum smelter in UAE after Iranian attack may take up to 12 months

DOHA, April 3. /TASS/. The restoration of primary aluminum production at the Al Taweelah facility of Emirates Global Aluminium in Abu Dhabi after the Iranian strike could take up to twelve months, the producer said in a statement. The company noted that the facility sustained significant damage as a result of an Iranian missile and drone attack on the Khalifa Industrial Zone (KEZAD) in Abu Dhabi. The Al Taweelah complex, which includes a smelter, power plant, and alumina production and processing plants, was completely evacuated, and operations were urgently halted. "To resume operations at the smelter, EGA must repair infrastructure damage and progressively restore each of the reduction cells. Early indications are that a complete restoration of primary aluminium production could take up to 12 months," the company said in a statement. "Our Al Taweelah site is a foundation of the global economy, and a significant contributor to global supply, making this incident damaging to industries and prosperity worldwide," Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said. He also added that none of the plant's employees suffered life-threatening injuries, and the injured are recovering. EGA emphasized that it currently has significant metal reserves both in the UAE and abroad. The EGA complex in Abu Dhabi is one of the largest aluminum producers in the world. By the end of 2025, the smelter was expected to produce 1.6 million tons of metal, and the alumina refinery, 2.4 million tons. On March 28, the facility was damaged by a large-scale Iranian missile and drone attack.