In Australia, AWAC operates as Alcoa of Australia (AofA), which runs an integrated aluminium business including mining, refining and smelting operations. In 2010, these operations produced approximately 9 million tonnes of alumina and 356,000 tonnes of aluminium metal.
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Alumina Limited Offices , Melbourne
Alumina Limited's offices are located in Southbank, Melbourne. |
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Huntly bauxite mine , Western Australia
AWAC sources bauxite from its 100% owned Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines located in the Darling Range south of Perth. Former WMC Limited discovered bauxite in this region in the late 1950's which started the partnership with Alcoa. The mining lease is approximately 7,000 square kilometres and provides access to bauxite to 2044. Huntly produces bauxite that supplies AWAC's Pinjarra and Kwinana alumina refineries in Western Australia and is the world’s largest bauxite mine. The annual mining rate of the Huntly mine is in excess of 23 million metric tonnes of bauxite. Bauxite is transported from the mines by rail to Kwinana and by overland conveyor to Pinjarra. The close proximity of mine to refinery lowers operational costs. Bauxite from Huntly is low in alumina grade and low in reactive silica. This results in low consumption of caustic soda, which further reduces production costs. |
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Willowdale bauxite mine , Western Australia
AWAC sources bauxite from its 100% owned Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines located in the Darling Range south of Perth. Former WMC Limited discovered bauxite in this region in the late 1950's which started the partnership with Alcoa. The mining lease is approximately 7,000 square kilometres and provides access to bauxite to 2044. Willowdale produces bauxite that is supplied to AWAC's Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia. The mining leases provide access to bauxite to 2044. The annual mining rate of Willowdale is approximately 9 million metric tonnes of bauxite. Bauxite is transported from the mine by overland conveyor to Wagerup. The close proximity of mine to the refinery lowers operational costs. Bauxite from the Darling Range is low in alumina grade and low in reactive silica. This results in low consumption of caustic soda, which further reduces production costs. |
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Wagerup alumina refinery , Western Australia
Wagerup is the third largest alumina refinery in the AWAC global joint venture between Alumina Limited and Alcoa. The Western Australian Government has granted approval for the planned capacity expansion of the Wagerup alumina refinery from 2.6 million tonnes of alumina per year to approximately 4.7 million tonnes per year. Gas is the primary source of energy and is from Western Australia’s North-West gas fields via the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline. Bauxite is transported from the nearby Willowdale mine by overland conveyor. The close proximity of mine to the refinery lowers operational costs and places these operations as amongst the world's lowest cost producers. A storage and loading facility, which handles the majority of shipping for the refinery, is located at the nearby port of Bunbury. |
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Kwinana alumina refinery, Western Australia
Kwinana alumina refinery has an annual capacity of 2.2 million tonnes of alumina. Bauxite is transported from the nearby Huntly mine by rail. The close proximity of mine to refinery lowers operational costs and places this operation amongst the world's lowest cost producers. Gas is the primary source of energy and is from Western Australia’s North-West gas fields via the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline. A shipping facility is located close by to transport alumina production to AWAC's aluminium smelters in Victoria and overseas customers. |
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Pinjarra alumina refinery, Western Australia
Pinjarra is AWAC's largest refinery with production capacity of 4.2 million tonnes of alumina per annum. Gas is the primary source of energy and is transported from Western Australia’s North-West gas fields via the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline. At Pinjarra two co-generation gas fired power plants operated by Alinta supply steam and electricity to the refinery. Bauxite is transported from the nearby Huntly mine by overland conveyor. The close proximity of mine to refinery lowers operational costs and places these operations amongst the world's lowest cost producers. A storage and loading facility that handles the majority of shipping for the refinery is located at the port of Bunbury. Some Pinjarra production is transported through the shipping facility at Kwinana. |
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Point Henry aluminium smelter, Victoria
Point Henry has an annual capacity of 190,000 tonnes of aluminium a year . Almost 50% of this aluminium is sold to the nearby Kaal Australia rolling mill which is not an asset of AWAC. Most of the electricity for the Point Henry smelter is supplied by Alcoa of Australia's generating station at Anglesea, with the balance required available under a 30-year electricity supply agreement that expires in 2014. In 2010 a new base-load electricity contract was signed that takes effect from 2014 and extends through to 2036. |
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Portland aluminium smelter, Victoria
The Portland smelter has an annual production capacity of 358,000 tonnes of aluminium and is 240 kilometres west of Geelong. AWAC has a 55% controlling interest in the smelter and manages its operations. Partners are CITIC (22.5% owners) and Marubeni (22.5% owners). Alcoa Portland Aluminium is one of the most progressive and cleanest smelters in the world. Electricity for the Portland smelter is purchased under a 30-year electricity supply agreement that expires in 2016. A new base-load contract was signed in 2010 that commences at the expiry of the existing agreement and extends to 2036. |
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Alcoa Steamship Inc.
AWAC owns and operates a shipping operation that provides transport for AWAC's alumina business and to third parties, including Alcoa. Operating seven owned and other chartered vessels, this business transports bauxite, alumina, caustic soda, fuel oil, petroleum, coke and limestone. Two large carriers operate between Australia and the United States, carrying alumina to smelters on the west coast of the United States and backfilling with raw materials such as petroleum, coke and caustic soda for the Australian alumina operations. Three smaller vessels operate in the Caribbean carrying alumina from Suriname and Jamaica to the south and north coasts of the United States. These ships are also backfilled with raw materials for the Suriname and Jamaican operations. AWAC operates two 30,000-tonne-vessels that transport alumina from the West Australian refineries to the Victorian aluminium smelters. AWAC also charters carriers to transport bauxite, alumina and aluminium between its various global operations. |