Rio Tinto Trims Output at Australian Alumina Plant to Cut Costs

Rio Tinto Group will almost halve production at its Yarwun Alumina refinery in Australia as a waste stockpile reaches capacity and the company seeks to cut cost while exploring ways extend the plant’s life.

The plant produces about 3 million tons of alumina a year, which is sent to smelters in Asia. Output will be reduced to 1.8 million tons, Rio said Tuesday, to ensure waste can be stored until 2035, giving the miner time to assess options for future storage.