【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Rio Tinto's Bell Bay Smelter Excluded from Australia's Green Aluminum Support Scheme
Rio Tinto-operated Bell Bay Aluminum has been excluded from Australia's AUD 2 billion Green Aluminum Production Credit scheme, increasing pressure on the smelter to secure a long-term power agreement before the end of the year. Bell Bay is Australia's only predominantly renewable-powered primary aluminum smelter, with an annual production capacity of 187,000 tonnes. The facility accounts for around 25% of Tasmania's electricity consumption and exports more than 90% of its aluminum production to Asian markets. Without competitive power pricing and government support, the smelter faces uncertainty over its operations beyond 2026.