Top 10: Aluminium Mining & Processing Companies
The global aluminium industry generates estimated revenues of $150 billion a year through mining operations. Australia, China and the US account for 75% of global bauxite production. Bauxite is a sedimentary rock and is the world's main source of aluminium and gallium.
China processes 56% of global aluminium, followed by Russia, at 5.8%. The aerospace industry and auto manufacturers use 28% of global aluminium output, followed by construction (23%), drinks packaging (17%) and electrical transmission networks (12%).
The metal's strength-to-weight ratio also makes it central to aerospace applications. Environmental regulations and energy costs impact production decisions, with China's coal-powered smelters facing scrutiny over emissions.
The following are the largest companies mining and processing aluminium.
Century Aluminium
Market cap: $1.3bn
Country: US
Century Aluminum is a global producer of primary aluminium. Its main aluminium interests are concentrated in the US and Iceland, with significant smelters in Hawesville and Sebree, Kentucky, and Grundartangi, Iceland.
The company was formed in 1995 and went public in 1996. It has expanded its operations through strategic acquisitions, growing from its initial assets of Ravenswood Aluminum Corporation and a partial stake in a South Carolina reduction plant to its current portfolio of four smelters with a combined annual production capacity of approximately 1,016,000 tonnes.
Kaiser Aluminum
Market cap: $1.5bn
Country: US
Kaiser Aluminum is a manufacturer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminium products. The company's aluminium interests primarily involve the production of rolled, extruded, and drawn aluminium products rather than mining operations. Kaiser's main facilities are located in the US, with plants in several states including Ohio, Washington, and Virginia.
Its history in aluminium production dates back to 1946 when Henry J. Kaiser established Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation. Since then it has focused on value-added aluminium products for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications.
Norsk Hydro
Market cap: $11.2bn
Country: Norway
Norsk Hydro ASA is an aluminium and renewable energy company. Its aluminium operations span the entire value chain, from bauxite mining to finished products. The firm's main aluminium interests are in Brazil, where it operates the Paragominas bauxite mine and the Alunorte alumina refinery. Norsk Hydro also has significant smelting operations in Norway, including the Karmøy technology pilot.
Its involvement in aluminium production began in 1967 when it opened its first aluminium plant in Høyanger, Norway. Norsk Hydro has since expanded globally through acquisitions and investments in aluminium assets.
Hindalco Industries
Market cap: $13.8bn
Country: India
Hindalco Industries is an integrated producer of aluminium and copper. Its aluminium operations include bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting. Hindalco's main aluminium interests are in India, where it operates several mines and plants. The Muri bauxite mines and the Renukoot aluminium smelter are among its significant facilities.
Hindalco's history in aluminium production dates back to 1962 when it commissioned its first aluminium facility. The company has grown through organic expansion and acquisitions, including the purchase of Novelis in 2007, which expanded its global presence in rolled aluminium products.
Chalco
Market cap: $14.2bn
Country: China
Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chalco) is a producer of aluminium and alumina. The company's operations cover bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminium smelting. Chalco's main aluminium interests are concentrated in China, where it operates numerous mines and production facilities.
The Zhongzhou alumina refinery and the Qinghai aluminium smelter are among its major assets. Chalco was established in 2001 as part of the restructuring of China's aluminium industry.
The company has since expanded its operations and production capacity, becoming a significant player in the global aluminium market.
Alcoa
Market cap: $15.7bn
Country: US
Alcoa Corporation is a producer of bauxite, alumina, and aluminium products. The company's aluminium operations span from bauxite mining to finished products. Alcoa's main aluminium interests are globally distributed, with significant operations in Australia, Brazil, and Canada.
The Huntly bauxite mine in Western Australia and the Baie-Comeau smelter in Quebec are among its key facilities. Alcoa's history in aluminium production dates back to 1888 when it was founded as the Pittsburgh Reduction Company.
The firm has played a pivotal role in the development of the global aluminium industry, pioneering various technologies and processes.
South32
Market cap: $16.1bn
Country: Australia
South32 is a diversified metals and mining company. Its aluminium operations include bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminium smelting. The company’s main aluminium interests are the Worsley Alumina operation in Western Australia and the Alumar refinery in Brazil.
South32 was formed in 2015 as a spin-off from BHP Billiton.
Its aluminium business has its roots in the operations it inherited from BHP, with a history of aluminium production dating back several decades in Australia and South Africa.
Rusal
Market cap: $18.5bn
Country: Russia
Rusal is a producer of aluminium and alumina, whose operations cover bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminium smelting. Rusal's main aluminium interests are in Russia, with additional operations in other countries. The Krasnoyarsk aluminium smelter in Siberia and the Nikolaev alumina refinery in Ukraine are among its major facilities.
Rusal was formed in 2000 through the merger of several Russian aluminium producers. The company has since expanded its global footprint through acquisitions and investments in aluminium assets across various regions.
Rio Tinto
Market cap: $117.8bn
Country: UK
Rio Tinto Group is a multinational mining corporation. Its aluminium operations include bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminium smelting. The Weipa bauxite mine in Queensland and the Kitimat smelter in British Columbia are among its key assets.
Its involvement in aluminium production dates back to 1955 when it acquired a stake in British Aluminium. Rio Tinto has since expanded its aluminium business through various acquisitions and investments, including the purchase of Alcan in 2007.
BHP Group
Market cap: $168.4bn
Country: Australia
BHP Group is a global resources company. Its aluminium operations primarily involve bauxite mining and alumina production. BHP's main aluminium interests are in Australia, where it operates the Worsley Alumina joint venture in Western Australia.
The company's history in aluminium production dates back to the 1970s when it began developing the Worsley project. BHP has since focused on the upstream segments of the aluminium value chain, divesting its smelting operations in 2014 as part of the South32 spin-off.
