Coal-heavy Australian aluminium vs renewables-led New Zealand: How Oceania is balancing decarbonisation
Oceania’s primary aluminium industry is facing a fragmented energy transition. While Australia, the leading aluminium producer of the continent, has abundant renewable resources and a well-established aluminium value chain, its smelters remain significantly more dependent on fossil-fuel-based...
Can the US afford to cut Canada off? 75% aluminium and $100b energy tell the story
The US aluminium industry’s dependence on Canada extends far beyond primary aluminium imports. While Canada supplies around 75 per cent of US imported primary aluminium, covering roughly 60 per cent of the country’s annual aluminium usage, it is also a major supplier of crude oil, natural gas and...
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Rio Tinto Alcan may shutter Sebree aluminum plant
Rio Tinto Alcan said on Thursday the company is exploring several options for its Sebree aluminum plant, including a possible closure following a proposed rate hike by the Big Rivers electricity cooperative in Henderson, Kentucky. "We are evaluating all options for the future," a Rio Tinto...
Northern Territory gas plan to be considered on Monday
The Northern Territory cabinet to decide on Monday whether the government should release gas to Rio Tinto Ltd in a bid to save an outback town. In a statement from London on Thursday, NT Chief Minister Terry Mills said he was continuing negotiations with Rio Tinto managing director Sam Walsh as he...
Sweden recycles aluminum, along with China and Brazil
Swerea KIMAB with Acreo Swedish ICT awarded two projects, the combined 3Mkr, granted by VINNOVA to establish and strengthen cooperation with Chinese, and Brazilian research and innovation actors in the field of aluminum recycling. One project is aimed at the Chinese market and the second project...
Rio told to sell Gove aluminium plant
An internal review has recommended Rio Tinto close down its aluminium refinery in the Northern Territory over the next six to 12 months. The Australian reports an investment review committee has recommended Rio immediately mothball the refinery near Gove, which will result in the loss of around...
Rio Tinto Alcan gives 12-month notice to its power supplier
Following the lead of Century Aluminum at Hawesville, Ky., the Rio Tinto Alcan aluminum smelter at Sebree, Ky. has notified its electric suppliers it intends to shut down in 12 months. Rio Tinto Alcan’s website says it uses 325 megawatts of electricity each day — enough to power a city the size of...
Rio extends gas deadline for Gove Alumina refinery
MINING giant Rio Tinto has extended its deadline for the Northern Territory government to find a supply of gas to power the company's loss-making aluminium refinery in Arnhem Land, the NT's largest private enterprise. Chief Minister Terry Mills will now make a last-minute dash to Europe in a bid to...
Alcoa Aluminum Wheels Recognized for Safety and Energy Efficiency in China
Alcoa received a 2013 Accessory of the Year Award in the category of Best Safety and Energy Savings for the contributions of its forged aluminum wheels to China's bus manufacturing industry. The annual awards are organized by leading Chinese trade publications CNbuses.com and shangyongqiche.com and...
Struggle for gas continues to keep Gove refinery running
Last-ditch efforts are underway to persuade Rio Tinto to maintain production at its Gove alumina refinery in Australia after talks with potential gas suppliers to reduce costs ended without a resolution. Rio Tinto subsidiary Pacific Aluminium has said if it can't run the 2.5 million tonnes-per-year...
Kentucky regulators denied a request to reduce their revenue as part of a Big Rivers Electric rate case
In another blow to Century Aluminum and Rio Tinto Alcan, Kentucky regulators Tuesday denied a request to reduce their revenue requirements as part of a Big Rivers Electric rate case. The Public Service Commission largely reaffirmed its November 2011 rate adjustment case for Big Rivers, a Henderson,...
Near-term challenges persist for Sterlite
Sterlite’s growth continues to be driven by Zinc and Lead segment, its second largest revenue contributor. In contrast, lower bi-product sales and realisations continue to remain an overhang on its largest segment, copper. Going ahead, though the company is expecting gradual improvement in TcRc...
Deadline approaching for decision on Gove refinery
The loss-making Gove peninsula aluminium refinery and bauxite mine in Nhulunbuy, in the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Land, will have its fate decided today. Around 800 people staged a rally to display their concern at the possible closure of the plant, operated by Rio Tinto subsidiary Pacific...
Govt, UC Rusal to ink bauxite deal by january end
The Government is hoping to reach an agreement with Russian company UC Rusal by month end on the timeline for the reopening of the Alpart and Kirkvine bauxite plants. The downturn in the global aluminium market forced the company to close the plants in 2009. UC Rusal has cited the high cost of...
Nalco to set up wind power project in Jaisalmer
The company is setting up its second wind power plant at Ludarva in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan with a capacity of 47.6 MW. The Rs 283-crore project will be executed through Gamesa Wind Turbines Private Ltd., which involves erection of 56 wind turbines, each of 850 KW rating. The project is...
Jamaican Govt and UC Rusal to discuss the reopening of Alpart and Kirkvine alumina plants
The Government and representatives of aluminum giant UC Rusal are to hold talks today, as the parties seek to sign off on an arrangement for alternative energy solutions for the reopening of the Alpart and Kirkvine alumina plants. UC Rusal closed Alpart and Kirkvine in 2009, amid the global...
Gulf Industry Fair 2013 to highlight Bahrain's credentials as world-class industrial hub
Bahrain's credentials as a world-class industrial hub will come under the spotlight in Manama as the Northern Gulf's leading annual business-to-business industrial trade exhibition is staged for the sixth consecutive year. Gulf Industry Fair 2013, being held from 15 to 17 January 2013 under the...
Future of Gove smelter uncertain still
Canberra has countered calls for a drastic intervention in the domestic gas market to guarantee energy supplies to a Rio Tinto aluminium refinery amid estimates it could cost $2 billion to rescue the Northern Territory facility. Resources Minister Martin Ferguson moved against the proposals by...
China power grid expansion will boost demand for Copper and Aluminium
Spending on China’s power grid, a major consumer of copper and aluminium is forecast to rise at a faster pace in 2013. The State Grid Corporation of China has increased its 2020 target to 94 500km of UHV lines laid compared with 78 000km in the previous target an increase of 21% Barclays said in a...
Rio considers closing Gove alumina refinery
The fight to save nearly 1600 Rio Tinto aluminium jobs in the Northern Territory is dangerously close to being lost after the government admitted negotiations had stalled. Mining giant Rio Tinto's subsidiary Pacific Aluminium said on Monday that it was considering shutting its loss-making Gove...
