The refinery expansion is the largest single development project ever seen in the Territory.
On 9 September, 2004 Alcan Gove Pty Limited announced that it will invest approximately an additional $2 billion in its alumina refinery on the Gove Peninsula in Arnhemland. This expansion will increase the refinery’s alumina production capacity from 2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 3.8 mtpa by 2007, with the potential for additional capacity in the future through continuous improvement.
The additional alumina produced will:
- boost exports of the commodity from the Northern Territory;
- ensure the refinery’s future as an internationally competitive operation; and
- secure Alcan Gove’s commitment to the Territory for many years to come.
The expansion is proceeding within the existing project leases for the refinery and the associated bauxite mine at the Gove Peninsula site, which lie on Indigenous land. The investment is in new technology and processing equipment to be installed on-site, mostly through the use of innovative Pre-Assembled Module methodology .The project is expected to take approximately two years, with commissioning of the new plant and equipment to take place in early 2007. The construction phase will create approximately 1700 on-site jobs at Gove.
Construction of the expanded refinery is over 75% complete, on budget and on schedule to be finished later this year. More than 1500 workers are employed on site for the expansion and thus far Alcan has spent A$130 million in the Northern Territory. For information visit Alcan Gove’s website or call (08) 8987 5207.
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