According to Rio Tinto's third quarter production results released on January 17, bauxite production was about 13.2 million tonnes, increasing 1% on year despite equipment reliability issues at Weipa and Gove in Australia.
Alumina production of 1.9 million tonnes was 2% higher than the fourth quarter of 2021, and 6% higher than the prior quarter. The timing of shutdowns and improved processing performance at Yarwun in Queensland, partly offset by plant reliability and unplanned outages at Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL). Production at the Vaudreuil refinery in Quebec, Canada remained stable year on year.
Aluminium full year production of 3.0 million tonnes was 4% lower than 2021 due to reduced output at Kitimat smelter in British Columbia, Canada and Boyne smelter in Queensland, Australia. In the fourth quarter, aluminum production of 783,000 tonnes was 3% higher than the third period of 2022. The rate of pot restarts at Kitimat picked up in the fourth quarter and Boyne smelter cell recovery efforts continued. Recovery at both smelters is progressing with full ramp-up expected to be completed during the course of 2023.
Source: Rio Tinto, Mysteel