“We are delighted to have completed the project on schedule and within budget,” says Project Manager Andy Cameron. “It has been a huge challenge in today’s hot construction climate, and is a testimony to the dedication and hard work of the Bechtel project team, our contractors, and owner, Sohar Aluminium.”
“As a team, we are extremely proud of our safety record. At the time of producing the first hot metal, we’ve worked almost 12 million consecutive, accident-free hours,” said Cameron. Goods and services for the project were procured from 28 different countries, with more than $300 million also being spent in the local Omani business community.
Bechtel was responsible for approximately 50 percent of the construction, and managed construction of the remainder. A key part of Bechtel’s construction program was the recruitment and training of more than 800 Omani craft workers. “Our training program was the largest of its type to date in Oman,” says Steve Pritchard, construction manager. “The decision to hire and train women was also new for Oman.”
Working for Bechtel has been the start of a career for many Omani craft workers, some of whom will work for the Sohar Aluminium operations team and other international construction companies.
Sohar Aluminium expects full production by December 2008.
For more information on the project, read the Sohar Aluminium press release.
