Tomago Aluminium, Australia’s largest aluminium smelter and a joint venture majority owned by Rio Tinto, has welcomed a major announcement of continued collaboration with the Federal and New South Wales governments to secure its operational future.
The parties will now explore a new pathway to support reliable, long-term, competitively priced energy for the smelter beyond 2028. This announcement is a direct response to the energy challenges facing the high-volume industrial site, whose existing electricity supply contract with AGL is set to expire in December 2028.
The future viability of Australia’s primary aluminium production capacity depends on securing a continuous supply of energy-efficient and reliable power, according to a Rio statement.
“[This] development represents a significant milestone in our ongoing engagement with many stakeholders working towards this shared goal,” Tomago Aluminium chief executive officer Jerome Dozol said. “It reflects our collective recognition of the importance of maintaining local manufacturing capability in Australia.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with government on this next phase.”
Tomago Aluminium produces up to 590,000 tonnes of aluminium annually, representing almost 40 per cent of Australia’s total production. The smelter directly employs approximately 1000 people and supports an estimated 5000 indirect jobs. The collaborative initiative is designed to preserve this essential industrial base and ensure its future in the transition to renewable energy.
