Rio Tinto Aluminium impacted by reduced electricity usage

Rio Tinto achieved a first quarter bauxite production record and a record production month for March. Amrun continued to operate above nameplate capacity as implementation of the Safe Production System drives higher plant availability and utilisation rates.

YoY progress made stabilising alumina operations following the gas disruptions experienced last year. Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL), as the result of sanction measures by the Australian Government, Rio Tinto has taken on 100% of capacity of QAL for as long as the sanctions continue.

With the end of the QAL participation agreement at the end of December 2024, QAL and Rio Tinto have entered into a new two-year tolling agreement for 100% of the capacity, effectively making QAL a tolling entity exclusively for Rio Tinto. This additional output is excluded from the production tables in the report as QAL remains 80% owned by Rio Tinto and 20% owned by Rusal.

Q1 Aluminium operations are stable and performing well with continuous improvements offsetting external challenges that impacted production at Rio Tinto New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) and Kitimat. NZAS production was impacted by a call from Meridian Energy to reduce electricity usage by 50 MW from early March to end August, for which Rio Tinto is compensated. The subsequent ramp-up is expected to run until mid to late October. Kitimat’s energy supply and production continues to be impacted by lower reservoir levels.

Recycled aluminium Q1 production rose due to gradually improving market conditions.