Rio Tinto extends ASI Certifications to aluminium facilities in Australia and NZ

Rio Tinto has reportedly expanded the ASI Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard Certifications to its Amrun and Weipa bauxite mines, Yarwun alumina refinery, and the Bell Bay and NZAS aluminium smelters in Australia and New Zealand. So, the company is now committed to offering more responsibly produced aluminium, using predominantly hydro-powered electricity.

To strengthen the company’s offering of aluminium throughout the global supply chain, the certification is extended to Canadian casthouses as well.

The ASI Performance Standard defines environmental, social and governance principles and criteria, with the aim to address sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain.

In 2018, Rio Tinto had become the first aluminium producer to offer ASI certified aluminium through a ‘chain of custody’. It is the largest integrated producer of aluminium, bauxite, and alumina in Australia and the only producer of aluminium in New Zealand, and this certification shows its effort to restore competitive position.

Rio Tinto aluminium chief executive Alf Barrios said, “The certification continues our leadership on produced aluminium production from mine to metal, so that our customers can meet the growing demand from consumers for sustainably sources materials.”

ASI chief executive officer Fiona Solomon said, “Having a responsible supply chain means not just low carbon emissions in production, but also meeting the highest standards from material stewardship to human rights.”

“We applaud Rio Tinto’s ongoing commitment to encouraging the uptake of ASI’s standards across the aluminium and manufacturing supply chain,” she added.