Australian Aluminium Council
The Australian Aluminium Council (the Council) has welcomed Alcoa's Michael Gollschewski (Vice President Operations Australia and President Alcoa Australia) as its new President.
"I am looking forward to supporting the important role the Council has to play in representing the
industry as it faces an exciting and challenging decade of transition ahead," Mr Gollschewski said.
"Global demand for aluminium is strong and aluminium use is highly correlated with the transition to
a lower carbon future. Australia is well placed to capitalise on this trend as the world's largest producer
of bauxite and the largest producer of alumina outside of China," Mr Gollschewski said.
"But the carbon and energy transition will not be easy, and the Council will maintain its focus on
constructive engagement on issues that affect the international competitiveness of Australia's
aluminium industry.
Mr Gollschewski said aluminium was Australia's highest-earning manufacturing export and that we
are one of the few countries where the entire aluminium value chain is represented – from bauxite
mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting, to aluminium extrusion industries.
"Aluminium is one of the few commodities where you can buy a product, such as solar racking, a
window frame or a pool fence and know that it was entirely made here in Australia, originating from
Australian ore and with value-added mining and manufacturing processes creating local jobs at every
step."
The Council's Board changes follow the resignation of former President, Kellie Parker, following her
promotion to Chief Executive, Rio Tinto Australia. The Council thanks Kellie for her contribution to the
Australian aluminium industry. The Board welcomes Rio Tinto's Daniel van der Westhuizen as the
Council's new Vice President.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL
The Australian Aluminium Council (the Council) represents Australia's bauxite mining, alumina
refining, aluminium smelting and downstream processing industries. The aluminium industry has been
operating in Australia since 1955, and over the decades has been a significant contributor to the
nation's economy. It includes five large (>10 Mt per annum) bauxite mines plus several smaller mines
which collectively produce over 100 Mt per annum making Australia the world's largest producer of
bauxite. Australia is the world's largest exporter of alumina with six alumina refineries producing
around 20 Mt per annum of alumina. Australia is the sixth largest producer of aluminium, with four
aluminium smelters and additional downstream processing industries including more than 20
extrusion presses. Aluminium is Australia's highest earning manufacturing export. The industry
directly employs more than 17,000 people, including 4,000 full time equivalent contractors. It also
indirectly supports around 60,000 families predominantly in regional Australia.
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