Australia’s alumina output has been revised down by 6.3% to a total of 17.6 million tonnes for the 2026-27 output period, according to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) December 2025 Resources and Energy Quarterly.
The forecast follows Rio Tinto’s (ASX:RIO) decision to reduce production at its Yarwun alumina refinery in Queensland by 40%, as of October 2026.
Rio says this reduction will allow the company to keep future options open for the refinery, allowing it to continue operating until 2035. The facility is projected to reach capacity by 2031 at current production levels.
Located in Gladstone, Yarwun has been shipping alumina since late 2004, providing goods to Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific region.
The United Arab Emirates bought into $5.32 billion of Australia’s goods and services exports in 2023, led by alumina, according to BDO Australia.
Meanwhile, Alcoa (ASX:AAI) is shutting down its Kwinana alumina refinery in Western Australia, as announced in September 2025.
Impact Minerals (ASX:IPT) is one alumina-focused developer, which is looking to globalise its high purity alumina (HPA) process.
In December 2025, the company signed a technology collaboration agreement with US-based battery innovation company Charge CCCV through its associated company, Alluminous, to develop and qualify its HPA process for advanced battery applications, as reported by Mining.com.au.
The agreement supports Impact’s strategy to build a vertically integrated HPA business and positions Alluminous as a potential supplier in the US market.
Impact’s Lake Hope HPA Project in Western Australia covers 238km2, with several salt lakes stretching from Hyden to Norseman.
The company describes HPA as aluminium oxide with a purity “exceeding 99.99% and superior brightness, hardness, and resistance”.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Rio Tinto
