Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) said on Tuesday that a subsidiary had been forced to shut down an ammonia plant in the east of the kingdom so that unscheduled maintenance could take place on its cooling facility.

The company said in a bourse filing that the shutdown at the facility in Ras Al Khair, which it shares with Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic) through the Ma'aden Phosphate Company venture, would last for around 10 days.

The plant produces ammonia for use in manufacturing diammonium phosphate (DAP), which is mainly used as a fertiliser.

It added the shutdown would have no financial impact on the company or its ability to meet obligations to customers as DAP would continue to be produced using existing ammonia stocks.

The ammonia plant was only restarted on February 22 after a 30-day shutdown for planned maintenance.  - Reuters