Aluminium
Rio Tinto operates or has interests in north Queensland, central Queensland, Tasmania, New Zealand and Wales (UK). These include a bauxite mine, alumina refineries and aluminium smelters.
Developing low emission pathways for our products
Conversion of bauxite to primary aluminium metal is greenhouse gas intensive where electricity is fossil fuel sourced. However, this is only half of the story as some uses of aluminium result in fewer GHG emissions over the life of particular products. Also it requires only five per cent of the energy needed to recycle aluminium relative to production of the original primary metal.
Life cycle benefits for aluminium are well established in the light weighting of motor vehicles. When aluminium is used to replace heavier material there can be significant GHG reductions through fuel savings.
To further understand and develop low emission pathways for its products Rio Tinto's aluminium business is:
- Investigating emissions reduction benefits of other uses of aluminium products, such as in building and construction, is underway; and
- In partnership with the Australian Aluminium Council and other Australian producers, looking at ways the industry can join with the aluminium recycling sector in Australia to encourage more recycling and reuse.
Proactively reducing GHG emissions at our operations
Aluminium production is energy intensive. Consequently, energy efficiency has been driven by the amount and cost of energy used to produce our products. While there is always more to be done, Rio Tinto Aluminium has achieved significant gains in energy efficiency and GHG reductions since 1990. Our use of electricity from coal fired generation has also meant that we are actively looking at ways to reduce GHG emissions at source. In this context, Rio Tinto Aluminium is:
- Increasing its focus and investment in energy efficiency and GHG reduction initiatives across managed sites, including closer cooperation with Rio Tinto Technical Services and Comalco's Research and Technical Services division.
- Carrying out R&D into new drained cathode cell technology that could lead to potential energy efficiency gains in the order of ten per cent to 15 per cent in the smelting process. Drained cathode cells represent a step change in smelting technology and could significantly lower global emissions from the industry.
- Actively investigating biomass co-firing of the Gladstone coal fired power station that supplies electricity to the Boyne smelter. We are also promoting the demonstration of carbon capture and storage through both geo-sequestration and through utilising the bauxite residue that results from refining. Rio Tinto Aluminium is supporting Rio Tinto Energy's efforts to promote R&D into zero emissions, carbon capture and storage technology, including Australia's major potential contribution to the global technology demonstration effort - the Stanwell IGCC/CCS demonstration plant.
- Renewable energy and offsets - We are investigating renewable energy opportunities, including wind power and offsets through possible sourcing of price competitive carbon credits.
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