Name of the Project
Nag Hammadi aluminium smelter project.

Location
Egyptian Aluminium Company’s existing Nag Hammadi industrial complex, in upper Egypt.

Project Owner/s
Trafigura, Egyptian Aluminium Company (Egyptalum), and Metallurgical Industries Holding Company (MIH) have signed a term sheet and entered into exclusive negotiations to develop the project. 

Egyptalum is Egypt’s only primary aluminium producer and operates as a subsidiary of MIH, which is owned by Egypt’s Ministry of Public Business Sector and holds about 89.8% of Egyptalum’s share capital. 

Trafigura is expected to participate as a minority equity investor, debt provider, long-term offtake counterparty and feedstock supply counterparty. 

The company has positioned the smelter project as part of its strategy to secure long-term flows of metal for global customers. The parties intend to establish a new company to build, own and operate the facilities.

Project Description
The project entails the development of a 300 000 t/y primary aluminium smelter and a 150 000 t/y anode plant at Egyptalum’s Nag Hammadi complex. 

The new facilities will nearly double the site’s current installed primary aluminium production capacity. The project will build on Egyptalum’s existing integrated industrial complex, which includes a primary aluminium smelter, casting house, rolling mill, anode plant and associated utilities. 

The existing smelter is supplied with hydroelectric power from the Aswan High Dam.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Total investment costs are estimated at between $750-million and $900-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Trafigura announced in May 2026 that it had signed a term sheet with Egyptalum and MIH for the proposed aluminium smelter and anode plant. 

The agreement starts exclusive negotiations on the establishment of a new company to build, own and operate the project.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Trafigura press office, tel +41 22 592 4528 or email media@trafigura.com.Trafigura general enquiries, email enquiries@trafigura.com.