Rio Tinto has reached a new, unspecified, 13-year power supply deal to help secure the long-term future of its 182,000tpa Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania, Australia.
The 57-year-old smelter is among an estimated $US8B worth of assets bundled by Rio into its newly formed Pacific Aluminium division ahead of a possible divestment.
Bell Bay general manager Ray Mostogl says tough market conditions are expected to continue for some time, with the price of aluminium down more than 20% this year.
In October, Rio signalled a major retreat from its aluminium business, putting aluminium-related assets up for sale across six countries, only four years after buying aluminium giant Alcan for $38B. To date, no assets have been sold.