Alcoa’s Portland aluminium smelter shows growth after Australian financial support

Alcoa’s aluminium smelter in Victoria has shown “progress” after Australia government offered financial assistance to the 30-year-old aluminium smelter which was damaged by a state-wide power outrage in December 2016. The smelter has been running at one-third of its 300,000-tonnes-per-year capacity since then.


Australia's industry minister, Greg Hunt, and Victoria state treasurer Tim Pallas announced in a joint statement, "Significant progress has been made over the weekend, with great demonstrations of good faith from all parties working to find a solution for the future of the Portland smelter."

Alcoa and AGL Energy, which provide power to Alcoa’s aluminium smelter, confirmed on Monday, in an up-to-date discussion that the smelter has made progress. However, they did not divulge any further details.

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The Australian government has been providing financial support to aid aluminium smelter with enough power. Portland aluminium smelter offers employment to 700 workers.

Ben Davis, secretary of the Australian Workers Union in Victoria, said that the discussion indicates that the aluminium smelter is likely to remain open.