Ukraine war: Australia expands Russia sanctions, bans alumina and bauxite exports

The government said the latest measures will limit Russia’s capacity to produce aluminium, which is a critical export for the country

Australia also said it will donate at least 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal to Ukraine to meet its energy needs

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Aluminium ingots stored at the foundry shop of Rusal’s Krasnoyarsk smelter in Russia. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:35am, 20 Mar 2022

Australia has imposed an immediate ban on exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, the government said on Sunday as part of its ongoing sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

“Russia relies on Australia for nearly 20 per cent of its alumina needs,” the Australian government said in a joint statement from several ministries, including the prime minister’s office. It added that the move will limit Russia’s capacity to produce aluminium, which is a critical export for Moscow.

“The government will work closely with exporters and peak bodies that will be affected by the ban to find new and expand existing markets,” the statement said.

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto owns an 80 per cent stake in Queensland Alumina Ltd (QAL) in a joint venture with Russia’s Rusal International PJSC, the world’s second-largest aluminium producer.

Last week, Australia imposed sanctions on two Russian businessmen with links to its mining industry, one of them being billionaire Oleg Deripaska who holds stakes in QAL.