Rio Tinto Alcan has awarded another major contract for its Kitimat Modernisation Project (KMP).
United Industrial Services Company (UNISCO). a unit of Towell Engineering based in Oman, will produce 386 “superstructures”, equivalent to 6,000 tonnes of steel.
RTA spokesman’s Colleen Nyce said the job went out to competitive bids but only to those companies “that were of suitable size to meet the need and those who had previous experience in aluminum smelter superstructure fabrication.
“It requires very specific equipment, not at all generic like building steel structure,” she added.
Nyce said there were bidders from all over the world, including three from Eastern Canada.
UNISC) provided the superstructures for the now operational Sohar smelter in Oman and has a contract to supply the same for the new Ma-aden smelter in Saudia Arabia.
Nyce explained the superstructures are placed atop each pot, hence the quantity ordered - 384 plus two spares. She said the first structure will be delivered in April od 2013.
In keeping with company policy, Nyce would not reveal the value of the contract.