SMELTING FURNACES – AUSTRALASIA

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 cool on Albanese solar smelter talk

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Original article by Brad Thompson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 21 : 16-Dec-19

Rio Tinto has indicated that it is considering all options to ensure the viability of its aluminium smelters in Australia and New Zealand, amid growing concern that they may be closed. However, the resources giant has downplayed suggestions that it may seek to switch the carbon-intensive smelters from coal to solar energy. Labor leader Anthony Albanese recently visited the Boyne smelter in Queensland, and said he had been told that Rio was looking at transitioning the plant to renewables.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

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