AWAC's History
The origins of the Alcoa Worldwide Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) partnership between Alcoa and WMC Limited (now Alumina Limited) began in the early 1960’s following the exploration and discovery of bauxite deposits and other resources by WMC Limited and two other Australian companies. The Aluminium Company of America (Alcoa) was invited to join the project to provide technology, aluminium expertise and finance. The venture formed Alcoa of Australia Ltd (AofA), an integrated aluminium company, in 1961 with WMC Limited holding a 20% interest and Alcoa a 51% interest.
Over the following years the venture grew to include refineries and smelter interests as the partners sought to take opportunities to expand the business. By 1990, WMC Limited’s interests in Alcoa of Australia had grown to 48.25% through acquiring the minority interests of other participants, other than Alcoa.
In July 1994, WMC decided to expand this interest as a worldwide bauxite, alumina and alumina-based chemicals enterprise.
WMC Limited and Alcoa combined their respective bauxite, alumina and alumina-based chemicals businesses and investments and some selected smelting operations to create Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) in January 1995.
Key events/dates of Alumina Limited’s involvement in the alumina industry
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Suralco refinery in Suriname closed |
| 2016 | Amendments made to the AWAC joint venture agreements that ensure Alumina Limited's shareholders benefit from the improved performance of AWAC |
| Ma'aden joint venture alumina refinery commercial production commenced | |
| Bauxite third party supply contracts signed | |
| Kwinana alumina refinery implements press filtration to reduce residue volume output and conserve water usage | |
| 2015 | Anglesea Power Station (formerly used as an energy source for the Point Henry smelter) closed |
| San Ciprian refinery in Spain converted from fuel oil as the prinicipal energy source to natural gas | |
| 2014 | Jamalco alumina refinery in Jamaica sold |
| Point Henry smelter at Geelong closed | |
| 2010 | 2.1 million mtpy expansion of the Alumar alumina refinery in Brazil (AWAC 54% interest) and the 2.6 million mtpy bauxite mine at Juruti in Brazil completed. |
| 2009 | AWAC enters into 25% interest in an alumina refinery (initial capacity 1.8 million mtpy) and bauxite mine (initial capacity 4.0 million mtpy) joint venture project with Ma'aden in the Kingdom at Saudi Arabia. |
| 2009 | AWAC acquires BHP's 45% interest in the Suriname Aluminium Company (Suralco) to own 100% of the 2.2 million mtpy alumina refinery and mining interests. |
| 2008 | Co-operation agreement signed between AWAC and Vietnam on the development of bauxite mining and alumina refining. |
| 2007 | Early works program at the Clarendon (Jamaica) alumina refinery completed adding 146,000 mtpy of production |
| 2006 | AWAC received Government approval to expand the Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia to a max. 4.7 million mtpy |
| 2005 | AWAC - Suriname alumina refinery 250,000 tonne expansion completed. |
| 2004 | AWAC - Jamaica alumina refinery 250,000 tonne expansion completed. Sale of AWAC Specialty Chemicals business. |
| 2003 | Alumina acquired QBE's 0.75% interest in Alcoa of Australia. |
| 2002 | Demerger of WMC Limited results in formation of Alumina Limited. |
| 1999 | AofA - expansion at Wagerup completed. Annual operating capacity is increased from 1.75 million tonnes to 2.2 million tonnes. |
| 1998 | AWAC acquires Inespal’s refinery in Spain. |
| 1995 | AWAC formed. WMC’s interest in AWAC is 40% (39.25% of AofA). 100 millionth tonne of alumina shipped. |
| 1986 | 50 millionth tonne of alumina shipped. Production begins at Portland Smelter. |
| 1984 | AofA - Wagerup alumina refinery commissioned. |
| 1972 | AofA - Pinjarra alumina refinery commissioned. |
| 1964 | AofA - first export shipment of Kwinana alumina, to Japan. |
| 1963 | AofA - first ingot poured at Point Henry, using US-sourced alumina. |
| 1961 | Formation of the integrated aluminium company, Alcoa of Australia (AofA), with WMC Limited holding a 20% interest. Alcoa was invited to join the project with a 51% interest to provide the technology, aluminium industry expertise and finance. AofA - construction begins at Kwinana and Point Henry. |
| Late 1950s | Joint exploration (with two other Australian companies) of bauxite deposits and secured other resources. |