Queensland Alumina Limited Company Profile and Key Facts

Queensland Alumina Limited is a leading alumina producer in the world. It is a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Alcan.

The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Queensland Alumina Limited operates a single alumina refinery located at Gladstone, Queensland, Australia.

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QAL is one of the world’s largest alumina refineries, producing around 3.95 million tonnes per annum.

Its product is used by global aluminium producers in manufacturing products like building materials, cars, and aircraft.

QAL's financial year ends on 31 December, with results typically released between mid-February and mid-August each year.

The company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and has American Depositary Receipts in both markets.

QAL ships its alumina production to the United States, Europe, and Asia for further processing before being used to make aluminum or other metals.

Gladstone Plant, one of the world’s largest alumina refineries, was established by Rio Tinto of Australia (80%) and Rusal (20%) as part of their partnership in 1967.

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Queensland Alumina Limited's shareholders play a vital role in steering its business operations, setting strategic goals, and creating value.

They are also responsible for ensuring the company has sufficient resources and providing advice on financial and acquisition decisions.

Rio Tinto and Rusal, a Russian-owned company, jointly own Queensland Alumina Ltd, with Rio Tinto holding 80% and Rusal owning 20%.

However, due to Australia's sanctions against Russia, Rio Tinto-Rusal's joint ownership of QAL has been impacted, prohibiting it from providing assets or granting loans to certain individuals.

Queensland Alumina Limited's directors are accountable for managing and setting strategic goals of their company, with their primary role being to create shareholder value.

They are supported by several committees, including the Audit & Risk Management Committee, Nominations & Compensation Committee, and Sustainability Committee.

The company's directors must report changes in shareholdings within five business days to both the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and US markets when trading American Depositary Receipts (ADRs).

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Queensland Alumina Limited's directors are dedicated to conducting sustainable business practices, maintaining a sound financial foundation, and implementing a corporate governance structure.

This includes internal and external audits, as well as reporting to the Board, and a materiality assessment and sustainability framework containing details of key sustainability issues relevant to stakeholders.

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Queensland Alumina Limited is a significant player in the global alumina industry.

The company's operations are centered around the Gladstone Alumina Refinery, which has a production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes per year.

Queensland Alumina Limited is a 40% owned subsidiary of the multinational corporation Rio Tinto.

The Gladstone Alumina Refinery is a significant contributor to the local economy, generating revenue of over $1 billion annually.

The company's alumina products are used in a variety of applications, including the production of aluminium metal.

Queensland Alumina Limited has a complex history when it comes to environmental harm. The company has been in court five times for instances of causing environmental harm, including releasing contaminants into the atmosphere.

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QAL has an "unenviable record" of being the most prosecuted person or corporation in the Environmental Act's 26-year history. This is a concerning fact that highlights the need for improvement.

In 2018, a maintenance incident at the Parsons Point refinery accidentally released a caustic spray of sodium hydroxide, causing extensive damage to cars, buildings, and equipment. This incident is a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with industrial operations.

QAL has taken steps to mitigate its environmental impact, including the implementation of an environmental management system. This system aims to reduce operational and cultural risk while meeting stringent safety requirements.

The company's efforts to reduce its environmental footprint have been recognized through the Australian Industry Greenhouse Challenge. This award acknowledges industry efforts to reduce carbon footprint and support Australia in transitioning towards low-carbon economies.

QAL's collaboration with the Gladstone Regional Council has also led to innovative projects, such as the use of secondary treated effluent in its alumina refining processes. This has eliminated the need to pump megalitres of fresh water from Gladstone's limited natural resources, resulting in significant environmental, community, and economic benefits.

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Bauxite is the primary raw material for manufacturing alumina and aluminium metal.

Bauxite is composed primarily of gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore minerals, and contains high concentrations of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) as well as silicate minerals.

Australia was the top producer of bauxite in 2017, mining 31 million tonnes.

Bauxite mining generally uses open cut methods from surface deposits near coastal lands.

Bauxite serves many functions, including being the main ingredient used to make alumina production possible.

It's also used in cement production, refractory bauxite manufacturing, and chemical manufacturing.

Bauxite can be found used to manufacture abrasives as well as being part of fireproof building materials.

The Bayer process is used by refineries to transform bauxite into alumina.

Clearing land for bauxite mining results in habitat loss, damaging trees and grasslands along the way.

Bauxite mining also pollutes water bodies through the extraction and washing of bauxite.