Bell Bay

Owned and operated by Rio Tinto Alcan, the Bell Bay aluminium smelter is located on the mouth of the Tamar River, approximately five kilometres from George Town and 45 kilometres from the City of Launceston. 

The Bell Bay aluminium smelter was the first built in the southern hemisphere, commencing operation in 1955 as a joint venture between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments. In its first year of operation, the smelter produced just 1200 tonnes.  In 1960 the business was acquired by Comalco Industries Pty Limited (later to be named Rio Tinto Alcan) and has developed over more than five decades to become one of Tasmania's icon industries. 

The Bell Bay aluminium smelter has a major influence on the economic wellbeing of Northern Tasmania.  It creates wealth for Tasmanians through the creation of employment, export earnings, payment of government taxes and charges and direct investment through the purchase of goods and services and community programmes.  The operation continues to play a key role in the development of Bell Bay as a major industrial centre, providing a strong economic and industrial base for many industries and specialist contractors.

With a long and proud history of supporting Tasmanian communities, the Bell Bay smelter provides valuable assistance in the form of Community Grants, a Community Assistance Programme and a number of strategic community partnerships focussed on science, health and well being, climate change and education.  Consultation with stakeholders provides regular opportunities for community feedback and engagement.

Focussed on the smelting of primary aluminium, the Bell Bay operation has three main process areas:

• Manufacture of carbon products
• Conversion of alumina to metal
• Metal alloying and casting

Due to the high temperatures required for the aluminium smelting process, the production process is constant, operating 24/7 basis, 365 days per year.

Electricity is a major raw material in the production of aluminium and the Bell Bay aluminium smelter is the largest industrial user of electricity in Tasmania.  Annual consumption is 322 Megawatts, equivalent to around 25% of Tasmania's demand. The price paid by the smelter for its electricity is not disclosed for commercial reasons, but it reflects the very different nature of bulk purchase arrangements for high voltage electricity, compared to intermittent usage patterns of low voltage electricity used by domestic customers that also require distribution and other support services not needed by the smelter.

With a commitment to continuous improvement, sustainable development is integrated into all aspects of the business.  Operations are governed by a number of mandatory policies, standards and strategies and performance indicators.  The Bell Bay aluminium smelter holds accreditation to the following internationally recognised standards: 

• AS/NZS 14001: 2004 for environmental management systems
• OHSAS 18001: 2007 and AS/NZS 4801: 2001 for occupational health and safety management systems
• TS16949 Quality Standard
• AS/NZS ISO 9001 for production, installation and servicing

Enquiries are welcome and feedback about any aspect of our operation is invited. 

Rio Tinto Alcan
PO Box 290
George Town  7253  Tasmania

Telephone +61 3 6382 5111
Facsimile +61 3 6382 5566

For more information about the next round of Rio Tinto Alcan Community Grants and the Tamar Valley Sporting Grant for the Bell Bay smelter, please visit the Bell Bay Community Grants page.

Links

2010 Bell Bay Sustainable development report
2009 Bell Bay Sustainable development report