Rio Tinto continues to unwind business ties with Russia, including the disputed move to take control of the Queensland refinery it owns with aluminium giant Rusal.
In first-quarter production results released on Wednesday, Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said the company is offering support to workers of Ukrainian and Russian heritage and has committed $US5 million ($A6.8 million) to humanitarian agencies.
“We are in the process of terminating commercial relationships with Russian businesses,” Rio Tinto said.
Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto has taken over 100 per cent of the production and management of Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL), in a move that 20 per cent owner Rusal disputes.
“Our focus remains on ensuring the continued safe operation of QAL, as a significant employer and contributor to the local Gladstone and Queensland economies,” Rio Tinto reiterated.
Rusal has said it “disagrees” with Rio Tinto’s arrangements and is in talks to resolve the matter.
Earlier this month, Rusal’s chair Bernard Zonneveld called for an investigation into events in Bucha, on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, where a Russian brigade has been accused of war crimes.
Oligarch Oleg Deripaska, Rusal’s founder, was left off Australia’s initial list of sanctioned individuals but was later added.
