Doha: Qatalum surpassed a number of targets set out in the Qatalum Improvement Programme — the programme which aims to improve the cash cost of aluminium production over the next five years.
Overall by the end of 2013, the company surpassed its improvement target by 50 percent.
The increase in efficiency was done without compromising safety as part of its ongoing mission towards zero harm. According to Deon Earle, Qatalum’s HSE Manager, a Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) of 0.69 per million working hours, including directly supervised contractors, was achieved for the year 2012 amounting to a considerably better performance than the year’s target of 0.85.
“This indicates how serious Qatalum Management is about HSE and shows their continued commitment to safety,” he said. In comparison, the TRIR figures achieved by Qatalum are the best among GCC and Hydro smelters. Total recordable injuries at Qatalum are at 12.5 percent of the total recordable injury rate published by the International Aluminium Institute for 2012.
In regard to the Qatalum Improvement Plan, Tom Petter Johansen, CEO, urged employees to build upon the 2013 results and set new industry-leading standards in operational excellence, innovation and sustainability. He said over the coming year, Qatalum expects to meet 10 strategic objectives, which include meeting shareholder expectations on financial returns, further improving its costs, fulfilling its CSR obligations, providing opportunities for Qatari employees, and enhancing the Qatalum brand.
The programme initiates quarterly management meetings to evaluate and commend progress. The Peninsula
