Rio Tinto to cut Yarwun alumina output 40% to extend lifespan

The reduction will give Rio Tinto four years to develop long-term solutions for managing the refinery's tailings and potentially keep the operation running beyond 2035. Yarwun's current tailings facility -- used to store residue from alumina refining -- is expected to reach full capacity by 2031 at existing production rates. Constructing a second facility would require significant investment, according to the company statement.

Yarwun currently produces around 3 million tonnes of alumina annually and employs 725 workers. The planned cut will reduce output by roughly 1.2 million tonnes/year and result in around 180 fewer positions. Rio Tinto said the changes will not affect customer supply commitments or disrupt other operations.

Construction of Yarwun began in 2002, and the refinery shipped its first alumina in 2004, according to company information. In 2007, Rio Tinto injected $1.8 billion to expand the refinery's capacity from 1.4 million tonnes to 3.4 million tonnes. The expansion was completed in 2012, the public records show.

In addition to Yarwun, Rio Tinto operates three other alumina facilities globally: Queensland Alumina Limited in Australia, the Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery in Canada, and the São Luis refinery in Brazil, according to its 2024 annual report.

Written by Iris Pang, pangjunyu@mysteel.com

Edited by Vivian Yang, yangzhenqi@mysteel.com