The interim government of Guinea asked international mining companies to present plans to refine their bauxite production into alumina within the country by May 2022.
Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said the company had committed to increasing research spending to develop technologies enabling its customers to decarbonize.
Rio's move effectively cuts Rusal's access to production and management at the refiner under an Australian ban against exporting alumina and aluminum ores.
European utilities will have to be prepared to pay premiums to draw cargoes from South Africa, the Americas, Australia and Indonesia, writes Clyde Russell.