Facts about Comalco
(June 13, 2003) Comalco is a large international aluminium producer with interests in Australia, New Zealand, Italy and Guinea. The Company supplies bauxite, alumina and primary aluminium to world markets.
Comalco was incorporated in 1960, following the discovery of a rich bauxite deposit at Weipa on Cape York Peninsula in 1955. In 2000, Comalco became a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto.
Comalco operates the Weipa bauxite mine and three aluminium smelters (Boyne Smelters Limited in Queensland, the Comalco (Bell Bay) smelter in Tasmania and New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) at Tiwai Point). A research and technology facility is operated in Thomastown, Victoria. The Company also has interests in Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) and the Gladstone Power Station in Queensland, the Eurallumina SpA alumina refinery in Sardinia, Italy and the Boke bauxite mine in Guinea, Africa.
Comalco produces about 23 per cent of Australia's beneficiated bauxite, eight per cent of its alumina and 24 per cent of its primary aluminium. The Tiwai Point smelter produces all of New Zealand's primary aluminium, most of which is exported. The three smelting operations have a combined capacity of over one million tonnes of aluminium per annum. In October 2001, approval was given for the commencement of construction of Stage One of the new US$750 million Comalco Alumina Refinery in Gladstone.
At 31 December 2002, the Aluminium group accounted for 18 per cent of Rio Tinto's operating assets and in 2002 contributed 13 per cent of Group turnover and 17 per cent of adjusted earnings.
Sam Walsh, chief executive, is based in Brisbane, Australia.
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