Rio Tinto to offer independently certified responsibly produced aluminum
27 July 2018
Rio Tinto has become the first mining and metals company to be granted the aluminum industry’s Chain of Custody certification by the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI). The certification means Rio Tinto will be the only company selling aluminum that customers can be assured has been produced to the highest environmental, social and governance standards.
The certification reinforces Rio Tinto’s commitment to responsible mining and metals production by providing independent verification that material can be traced through a chain of custody spanning Rio Tinto’s Gove bauxite mine in Australia to its alumina refinery, aluminum smelters and casthouses in Québec, Canada.
Rio Tinto has led the establishment of responsible production certification for the aluminum industry as a founding member of the ASI, working alongside customers and a broad range of stakeholders.
Rio Tinto produces some of the lowest carbon footprint aluminum in the world at its Canadian smelters and launched the industry’s first certified low carbon aluminum, RenewAl, in 2016.
Rio Tinto received the ASI’s first Performance Standard certification—the highest internationally recognised standard for robust environmental, social and governance practices—in April. The certification covers five aluminum smelters, the Vaudreuil refinery, casting centres, port and railway facilities in Québec, Canada.
Rio Tinto is now working with the ASI on audits and certifications for other sites in its global aluminum business.
The ASI is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards setting and certification organisation. It works toward responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminum following an entire value chain approach. ASI launched its Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard in December 2017. ASI’s 60+ members include leading civil society organizations, companies with activities in bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminum smelting, semi-fabrication, product and component manufacturing, as well as consumer and commercial goods, including the automotive industry, construction and packaging, as well as industry associations and other supporters.
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