US imported 11.5x more primary aluminium from Canada than it exported in semi-fabricated form in H1 2026 - know why
At the US-Canada border, aluminium is constantly on the move, but the direction of trade is far from balanced. In the first six months of 2026, the US imported 907,581.44 tonnes of primary aluminium from Canada, while exporting only 78,886.12 tonnes of semi-fabricated aluminium products such as...
Australian bauxite forecast at $39/t vs Guinea at $34-46/t: How ore quality, freight and oversupply are shaping prices
What happens when the world’s biggest bauxite supplier produces too much of the one commodity it dominates? Guinea’s bauxite market is offering a striking answer. Record exports have strengthened its position in global trade, but the surge in supply has also pushed prices lower. Australia,...
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Rio Tinto puts off plans for Paraguay aluminium plant
Giant global mining company Rio Tinto said on Tuesday it postponed studies related to a proposed $4-billion aluminium plant in Paraguay due to bad market conditions, putting what would be the country's biggest-ever foreign investment in jeopardy. The plant would have been Rio Tinto's largest...
Senior management changes in Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto has appointed Greg Lilleyman as the new group executive, Technology & Innovation (T&I) following the retirement of Preston Chiaro at the end of March 2014. Greg’s appointment is effective from 1 January 2014. Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said “Under Preston’s leadership, our...
Massive investment will complete Kitimat smelter project
Rio Tinto is planning to invest US$2.7 billion to complete the modernization of its aluminium smelter in Kitimat, B.C., while the company is cutting back on capital spending at projects around the world. “For nearly 60 years, the smelter has been a major impetus for the economic development of...
Rio Tinto says alumina dust not cause for concern
Rio Tinto say a photo of alumina dust escaping from its Yarwun wharf this week was nothing to worry about, stating the plume posed no threat to health or the environment. Rio Tinto say a photo of alumina dust escaping from its Yarwun wharf this week was nothing to worry about, claiming the plume...
Rio Tinto sees Gove bauxite export capacity at 7-8 mln tonnes
Rio Tinto expects to be able to export 7-8 million tonnes of bauxite a year from Gove in Australia's Northern Territory, the company's aluminium chief said on Tuesady. Rio last week said it was suspending operations at its loss-making Gove alumina refinery but would continue mining bauxite there...
Kitimat smelter survives capital spending cuts at Rio Tinto
The head of Rio Tinto's global aluminum business says it will complete the modernization of its Kitimat smelter in British Columbia but will pull back on capital spending around the world. Rio Tinto plans to cut capital spending by at least 20 per cent in each of the next two years. For 2014,...
Closure of Gove will have no impact on Tiwai
The closure of Rio Tinto's Australian alumina refinery in Gove will have no effect on Southland's Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter. The mining giant, which is the majority owner of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelters, announced last week it would suspend alumina production at the Northern Territory plant...
Rio might face legal challenge from AWU on its decision to close Gove alumina refinery
The decision by mining giant Rio Tinto to close its Gove alumina refinery in the Northern Territory may face a legal challenge. Representatives of the Australian Workers Union met with Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles today to discuss the closure. The union claims Rio Tinto signed an agreement...
Carbon tax 'not to blame' for Gove closure
RIO Tinto boss Sam Walsh has said the carbon tax is not to blame for the closure of its Gove alumina refinery in the Northern Territory. Mr Walsh, speaking in Sydney today after an investor briefing, said that while the carbon tax had obviously put pressure on energy-intensive industries, it was...
Rio Tinto commits greater value for shareholders at its investor seminar in Sydney
Rio Tinto will demonstrate strong progress and performance against its commitment of delivering greater value for shareholders at its investor seminar in Sydney today. In addition to presenting results achieved year-to-date, the company will outline what it is doing to capitalise on long-term...
AWU criticises Rio's decision to close the Gove Refinery as destructive
Rio Tinto’s decision to shut its Gove alumina refinery in the Northern Territory will destroy the region, the Australian Workers union says. AWU National Secretary Paul Howes said the decision questions Rio’s social licence to mine. "We are talking about an entire town being destroyed here, $500...
Chief executive Sam Walsh applauded by investors for Gove decision
Rio Tinto (RIO) was the FTSE 100's top performer for the second morning running on Friday after the mining major announced the suspension of production at its Gove alumina refinery. Chief executive Sam Walsh was applauded by investors for the decision, which he made because the refinery was deemed...
Rio Tinto to suspend production at Gove alumina refinery
Rio Tinto will move to suspend alumina production at Gove and focus on its bauxite operations after determining the refinery is no longer a viable business in the current market environment. Rio Tinto will now work on the scope and phased timing of suspension and prepare for all potential outcomes...
Japan physical aluminum premiums may rise in Q1 2014
There is clearly a disconnect between the expectations of sellers and buyers in the current negotiations between Japanese buyers and Western smelters, including UC Rusal, Rio Tinto plc, Alcoa Inc. and BHP Billiton, expected to start this week. Meetings are due to take place to set the first quarter...
Rio Tinto looks ready to close aging Gove refinery
Global metals giant Rio Tinto looks likely to close its aging alumina refinery at Gove, in Australia's Northern Territory, three months after cutting a deal to keep its Tiwai Point smelter in New Zealand open until at least 2017. Australian media reports say the company has told NT and federal...
Rio puts its Queensland bauxite project on hold
In a move that marks a fresh setback for Queensland's mining sector, Rio Tinto has told contractors in the state that it has put its $1.4 billion South of Embley bauxite mine on hold for as long as 18 months, according to The Australian Financial Review. The mine and port project had been approved...
Rio fined for failing to cope with a big flood at its red mud dam at Yarwun
RIO Tinto Alcan will be fined between $30,000 and $50,000 after admitting it did not have the capacity to cope with a big flood at its red mud dam at Yarwun last year. Rio Tinto pleaded guilty on Wednesday to the breach of environmental obligations in Gladstone Magistrate's Court, with the...
NSW's stance on smelter contract may stall Macquarie Generation sale
Mike Baird is dreaming if he expects a trouble-free, $2.1 billion sale of Macquarie Generation when 23 per cent of its revenue could go up in smoke. In opposing a renegotiation of the steep rise in MacGen's long-term power contract with its biggest customer, the Rio Tinto-controlled Tomago...
