Aughinish in the spotlight as Rio takes over Australian Rusal plant

Limerick alumina processing plant had previously been under threat due to sanctions on Rusal founder Oleg Deripaska

Rio Tinto has already moved to end deals with Rusal’s Aughinish alumina plant in Limerick. File picture: Dan Linehan

Rio Tinto Group has taken full control of an alumina refinery it owns with United Co Rusal International PJSC in Australia, formally removing access to a key source of raw material for the Russian aluminium giant.

Rusal’s supply of alumina, the main ingredient to make aluminium, has been thrown into turmoil since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, raising questions about whether it can sustain production levels at a time when global supplies are already under pressure.