Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Maaden) has retendered a $1 billion construction contract for its 1.6 million tonnes per year (tpy) alumina refinery, said a report.

Maaden originally awarded the engineering, procurement, construction and management (EPCM) contract to US Fluor Corp in late 2008, the London-based Meed magazine magazine reported.

At least five firms, including Fluor, have been invited to submit bids for the new contract for the alumina refinery by December 15, the magazine reported without citing a source.

Rio Tinto Alcan said last year it had dropped plans to take a 49 per cent stake in the $10 billion smelter because of the global financial crisis. This has delayed by three years the start of production at the aluminium smelter.

Maaden and Rio Tinto signed a heads of agreement in 2007 to build the project to develop a 720,000 tonnes per year aluminium smelter and the alumina refinery that will feed the smelter at Ras Azzour, according to Maaden's website. – Reuters