According to the GAC report, the five smelters currently up and running in the Gulf have a combined capacity of 3.6Mt/yr and their cumulative contribution to world production in 2010 was estimated at 7%.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Bahrain and Qatar are already home to some of the largest smelters in the world.
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is responsible for 880Kt and Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) producing just over 1Mt/year. In Oman, Sohar has a 370kt/yr capacity while Qatar Aluminium (Qatalum) produces 600kt/yr. Emirates Aluminium (Emal) puts out 750kt/yr and the Saudi Arabian Mining Company has an annual production output of 740kt/yr.