Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has announced plans to expand its bauxite refining operations in a bid to grow its export market in China.

 

Rio Tinto Alcan chief executive Jacynthe Cote has pledged that the company will place a greater emphasis on the completion of the Yarwun II alumina refinery in Queensland. Ms Cote expressed her confidence that as China’s demand for aluminum grows, so to will its demand for bauxite, placing the company in a strong position to supply China.

 

Rio, which crrentl supplies 25 per cent of China’s bauxite imports, is set to grow its production exponentially by 2016-17.