澳大利亚联邦政府已撤回对Rio Tinto旗下Bell Bay铝冶炼厂参与绿色铝生产信贷计划的资格承诺。[1]联邦Bass议员Jess Teesdale周二表示，该厂不符合这项200亿澳元计划的条件。[1]然而，工业部长Tim Ayres去年1月曾向ABC Northern Tasmania明确表态："短期答案是肯定的。这是一份20亿澳元的公告，以确保每一个澳大利亚铝冶炼厂的未来，包括Bell Bay。"[1]总理Anthony Albanese在去年1月20日于新南威尔士州Tomago宣布该计划时也提及了Bell Bay。[1]
面对政府资格的撤销，Rio Tinto与州立电力公司Hydro Tasmania就电力供应协议展开谈判。[1]该厂现有电力协议将于2026年12月前到期。[1]Rio Tinto为达成新协议设定了8月的截止期限，否则"冶炼厂关闭的风险非常高"。[1]Bell Bay铝冶炼厂目前雇用约600人。[1]若该厂关闭，将成为该地区今年第二家关闭的冶炼厂——Liberty Bell Bay锰冶炼厂已于3月进入自愿管理。[1]
Australia's federal government has withdrawn Bell Bay Aluminium's eligibility for a A$20 billion green aluminium production credit scheme, reversing an earlier commitment despite prior ministerial assurances.[1] Federal Member for Bass Jess Teesdale announced on Tuesday that the Bell Bay facility no longer qualifies for the program.[1]
This reversal contradicts previous statements from the government. Industrial Minister Tim Ayres told ABC Northern Tasmania in January last year: "The short answer is yes. This is a $20 billion announcement to secure the future of every Australian aluminium smelter, including Bell Bay."[1] Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also referenced Bell Bay when announcing the scheme on January 20 last year at Tomago in New South Wales.[1]
The smelter, which employs approximately 600 people, faces significant pressure as its power supply agreement with state utility Hydro Tasmania expires before December 2026.[1] Rio Tinto has set an August deadline for reaching a new electricity agreement, warning that "the risk of smelter closure is very high" if negotiations fail.[1] The potential closure would represent the second smelter shutdown in the region this year, following Liberty Bell Bay manganese smelter's entry into voluntary administration in March.[1]