Sailors SocietyTMS Awards 2023ViganGeneva DryCimbriaBühler GmbH
  • Telestack
  • Sailors Society
  • TMS Awards 2023
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Cimbria
  • Port of Stockton

Partnership to support Gladstone’s Boyne Smelters

Partnership to support Gladstone’s Boyne Smelters

(Posted on 18/08/24)

The Queensland Government in Australia and Rio Tinto will work together to safeguard a pillar of the State’s heavy industrial manufacturing base around Gladstone under a partnership to support investment in renewable energy projects.

The agreement announced today represents an important step towards securing a long-term future for Australia's second-largest aluminium smelter, Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) and thousands of jobs in central Queensland supported by the operations.

The partnership supports Queensland's vision to establish Gladstone as a renewable energy hub and strengthens the electricity grid as Australia transitions to a cleaner energy future. The cooperation between Rio Tinto and the Queensland Government will complement ongoing policy development by the Australian Government to support a decarbonised aluminium industry as part of its Future Made in Australia Plan.

Highlights of the agreement between the Queensland Government and Rio Tinto include:

  • Economic Support: Through its “Energy and Jobs Plan’, the Queensland Government will support BSL’s financial viability from 2029 as the smelter transitions to renewable energy.
  • Operational Commitments & Employment: Rio Tinto will invest to maintain BSL's full operational capacity, supporting Australia’s ambition to remain a major exporter of aluminium. This ensures BSL, which has an annual production capacity of more than 500,000 tonnes of aluminium and directly employs more than 1000 people, will continue to be a significant contributor to the local, Queensland and national economy. Rio Tinto will also work to expand its coastal shipping capacity, to add a fifth domestically crewed vessel to its existing fleet of four. These ships transport bauxite from the company's Gove and Weipa mines to operations in Gladstone.
  • Renewable Energy Investment: Rio Tinto commits to additional sustainable energy investments in Queensland, building on its existing commitments to Australia's largest solar and wind projects across the State.
  • Gladstone Transformation: Support for Queensland's vision to establish Gladstone as a renewable energy hub, with BSL to develop capabilities to manage power consumption during times of peak demand and strengthen the electricity grid.

The agreement remains contingent on the completion of Rio Tinto's energy contracting activities, relevant joint venture approvals, and the establishment of an Australian Government pathway for a decarbonised aluminium industry.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Australia Kellie Parker said: "This agreement with the Queensland Government represents one of the most significant partnerships in our long history of operations in the State.

“It paves the way for a competitive, green-energy powered BSL, supporting employment and lowering Australia’s carbon footprint. The partnership will support Australia’s status as a leading, global supplier of aluminium at a time when the world needs the metal for the green energy transition.

“While this is a critical part of the puzzle, we have more to do. We will continue to engage with the Federal Government on supportive industry policy to help sustain Australia’s green aluminium sector for the future."

Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) has been operating since 1982 and is Australia’s second largest aluminium smelter. Located at Boyne Island in central Queensland, BSL’s activities include manufacturing carbon anodes in the carbon plant, aluminium production (smelting) in reduction lines, and casting of molten metal into aluminium products ready to ship. The smelter is adjacent to, and connected via a conveyor belt, to the Queensland Alumina Limited refinery for the supply of alumina.

Rio Tinto's integrated aluminium production chain in Queensland is a significant economic driver, employing over 4500 people directly and supporting thousands more Australian livelihoods. The company's operations in Gladstone alone account for more than 3000 jobs, with 1000 of those at the BSL. Additionally, Rio Tinto's bauxite operations in Weipa employ more than 1300 people, supplying raw materials to the Gladstone manufacturing facilities.

Latest News

GGC welcomes new Canadian government and urges farm priorities action

(Posted on 01/05/25)

Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has welcomed Prime Minister Mark Carney and all Members of Parliament... Read more


US Soybean growers disappointed in 2;4-D Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties vote

(Posted on 30/04/25)

The International Trade Commission in the USA has voted in favour of imposing final anti-dumping (AD... Read more


Ukraine already sown two million hectares of spring grains

(Posted on 28/04/25)

As of April 25, 2025, farmers in all regions of Ukraine have sown 2M hectares (ha) of spring grain and... Read more


Condobolin rail upgrade fast-tracks NSW grain

(Posted on 25/04/25)

GrainCorp’s rail site at Condobolin, in the heart of central west New South Wales, Australia,... Read more


Rio Tinto and AMG assess low-carbon aluminium project in India

(Posted on 22/04/25)

Rio Tinto and AMG Metals & Materials (AMG M&M), an energy transition solutions provider, have... Read more


BHP record iron ore and copper production demonstrates resilience

(Posted on 22/04/25)

BHP has released its Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2025.BHP Chief Executive... Read more


WTO: Trump’s tariffs will shrink global trade

(Posted on 16/04/25)

The volume of world merchandise trade is expected to decline by 0.2% in 2025 under current conditions... Read more


$235million syndicated loan agreement to boost UAE trade with Trafigura

(Posted on 15/04/25)

In a strategic move to empower UAE exporters and advance the nation’s economic diversification... Read more


Anglo American update on sale of steelmaking coal business to Peabody

(Posted on 15/04/25)

Anglo American plc has noted the recent statement issued by Peabody Energy in relation to the definitive... Read more


Rio Tinto’s first Western Australian-made iron ore rail cars

(Posted on 03/04/25)

Rio Tinto’s first locally made iron ore rail car has been built in Western Australia, as it steps... Read more


Port of StocktonTelestackTBA GroupPort of South LouisianaVan Aalst
  • Van Aalst
  • TBA Group
  • Bühler GmbH

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping