Rio Tinto’s subsidiary Rio Tinto Alcan is planning to close its Alcan Lynemouth aluminium smelter in Northumberland, England.

The firm said that the smelter is no longer a sustainable business due to the increasing energy costs and emerging legislation.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Rio Tinto will provide support to all affected employees, including re-training and job search assistance, in order to mitigate the impact of any closure.

Rio Tinto Alcan CEO Jacynthe Côté said that the decision follows a thorough strategic review that explored every possible option for continuing to operate the smelter.

 

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Mining Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Mining Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact

Excellence in Action
Dual-award winner in the 2025 Mining Technology Excellence Awards, Propeller is redefining geospatial intelligence and safety in mining. Explore how its AeroPoints and DirtMate solutions deliver survey-grade mapping, live haul metrics, and safer, more efficient operations across mines and quarries worldwide.

Discover the Impact