Rio Tinto nearing the completion of its two alumina refineries maintenance work in Gladstone

Rio Tinto has considerably progressed with its $75 million planned maintenance shutdown work at two of its alumina refineries in Gladstone, Queensland this year.

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, the mining giant conducted maintenance work at Queensland Alumina Limited and Yarwun refinery by using about 500 additional contract workers and stringent screening and controls.

The Yarwun refinery is shut from June to October during day shifts to repair the digestion, boiler, and calciner areas of the plant, ensuring limited impacts on production.

“The complexity of the shut at Yarwun is an opportunity to re-think the way we do things and explore innovation in our systems,” Rio Tinto Yarwun general manager Mark Gilmore said.

He also said, “We have found ways to safely deliver our shuts during challenging times. This is good for our refineries, our local businesses and the community.”

Maintenance work at the Queensland Alumina Limited, valued at $ 10.6 million, included technical upgrades to the boiler management system in one of the site’s 10 boilers.

To conduct the upgradation work, Rio Tinto hired 140 local contractors since August, with the scheduled deadline to return the boiler to service next month.

The company spent around $7.8 million with Gladstone suppliers to complete the boiler upgrade.

Note to readers: AlCircle brings two-day event for aluminium industry players. We look forward to meeting you virtually at “Global Aluminium Expo 2020” on October 6-7, 2020. For registration, visit www.alcircleevents.com