One of the issues highlighted at the recent ARABAL conference was that Emal's $4 billion project is to boost capacity from about 800,000 tonnes a year and is expected to be completed ahead of schedule.

"We are three months ahead of schedule on that," said CEO Saeed al-Mazrooei, adding that he expects strengthening global demand to absorb the company's increased output.

Canadian engineering contractor SNC-Lavalin said in September that it had achieved the first hot-metal production from the expanded facility nearly three months ahead of schedule.

Mazrooei said that Emal's production could rise to 810,000 tonnes for 2013 before hitting 1.3 million tonnes next year.

Emal is one of the United Arab Emirates' two flagship aluminium businesses - alongside Dubai Aluminium (Dubal)- that are to merge to create the world's fifth-largest aluminium company with an enterprise value of $15 billion.