It is estimated that the ALSCON plant, when operational, will utilise close to one billion cubic metres of gas annually. At the moment, gas is the only major input which will be sourced locally.
The most important raw material required by the Smelter is alumina - some 375,000 tonnes are required per annum. Bauxite, from which alumina is derived, has been identified in certain parts of Nigeria, but efforts are still being made to confirm its availability in commercial quantities and of acceptable quality. In the mean time, therefore, the plant has to depend on external source for alumina as most aluminium plants in Europe do.
Other required raw materials include Petroleum Coke and Pitch, both of which will be imported from approved offshore sources.
Both the local and international markets are the targets of the Smelter's products which include ingots, billets and sows. Local demand for the products is currently estimated at 25,000 tonnes per annum, and hence the bulk (over 85 %) of the products is to be exported. Indeed, a Metal Supply Agreement has already been signed with Reynolds International which provides for the sale of the products in the international market while still addressing the needs of the local secondary aluminium industry.
Annual Requirements of Inputs for lkot Abasi Aluminium Smelter Plant
| INPUT | QUANTITY |
|---|---|
| Alumina | 375,000 tonnes |
| Petroleum Coke | 80,000 tonnes |
| Petroleum Pitch | 21,000 tonnes |
| Bath Chemicals | 5,000 tonnes |
| Gas | 950 million c.metres |
Source: Analysis of the Alscon Consultants