ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY AND TRADE – AUSTRALASIA

NZ power discount saves Rio smelter

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Original article by Nick Evans
The Australian – Page: 19 : 15-Jan-21

Rio Tinto has secured a new electricity supply deal with Meridian Energy that will allow its Tiwai Point aluminium smelter in New Zealand to remain open for another four years. Rio Tinto had announced in mid-2020 that the smelter would be shut down due to high electricity costs, but it will now remain operational until the end of 2024. However, the near-term future of Rio Tinto’s three aluminium smelters in Australia is still uncertain.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED – ASX MEZ

NZ closure sparks fears for Australian smelters

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Original article by Brad Thompson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 : 10-Jul-20

The future of Rio Tinto’s loss-making aluminium smelters in Australia is again under scrutiny following the announcement that its Tiwai Point smelter in New Zealand will be shut down. Rio Tinto CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques indicated in 2019 that the fate of the smelters in New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania is uncertain. The Australian Aluminium Council has warned that smelters will not be viable unless action is taken to reduce energy costs. The future of Alcoa’s government-subsidised Portland smelter in Victoria is also in doubt.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, AUSTRALIAN ALUMINIUM COUNCIL LIMITED, ALCOA OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, ALCOA INCORPORATED

Rio sharpens axe as costs hit aluminium smelters

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Original article by Brad Thompson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 & 22 : 24-Oct-19

Rio Tinto has advised that its Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is under review and could be shut down because high energy costs and the low price of aluminium mean that it is currently not profitable. Rio Tinto has a 79.36 per cent stake in the smelter, which employs about 1,000 people. The future of Rio Tinto’s smelters in Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales is also uncertain, as is Alcoa’s Portland smelter in Victoria.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, ALCOA INCORPORATED, PACIFIC ALUMINIUM PTY LTD, SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED, MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED – ASX MEZ, AUSTRALIAN ALUMINIUM COUNCIL LIMITED