Rio Tinto’s 2022 aluminium output declines 4%, production cut at Kitimat smelter proves to be guilty

Rio Tinto Group, the world’s second-largest metals and mining corporation, has published the operational results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2022 ended December 31. In the report, the company noted its aluminium production in Q4 amounted to 783,000 tonnes, witnessing an increase of 3 per cent month-on-month and year-on-year. That brought Rio’s total aluminium output in 2022 to 3.009 million tonnes, down by 4.48 per cent from 3.15 million tonnes last year.

The downfall in the annual aluminium production in 2022 was due to reduced output at Kitimat smelter in British Columbia, Canada and Boyne smelter in Queensland, Australia. However, the recovery at both the smelters is progressing and is expected to come into operation at full capacity in 2023.

Bauxite production in Q4 stood 1 per cent higher sequentially to peg at 13.2 million tonnes but edged a 4 per cent decline year-on-year. Through 2022, Rio Tinto’s bauxite output totalled 54.6 million tonnes, 1 per cent more than a year ago.

Rio Tinto also made a mention of its precautionary actions taken for ensuring safety, health and well-being of the employees and communities at every operational site. The company has reported the fourth consecutive year with no fatalities at managed operations, and continues to work hard with partners to achieve the same at all the non-managed assets and marine operations.

The mining group also noted that it commissioned the second tunnel (T2) to carry water into the Kemano Powerhouse in British Columbia in 2022. In July, the 16-km tunnel produced its first megawatt of electricity. Now both T1 and T2 tunnels are operating together, ensuring a long-term power supply for the Kitimat aluminium smelter and neighbouring communities.

On December 19, Rio Tinto announced the hiring of Kaisa Hietala as a non-executive director to the board, with effect from March 1, 2023. Ms Hietala, a Finnish citizen, played a crucial role in the commercial transformation of Neste, the world’s largest and most profitable producer of renewable products, as Executive Vice President of Renewable Products.