By Rhiannon Hoyle


An Australian court Thursday dismissed a lawsuit by United Co. Rusal aimed at restoring the Russian aluminum giant's access to supply from one of Australia's largest alumina refineries.

Rusal has a 20% stake in the Queensland Alumina refinery, while Rio Tinto owns 80%.

Rio Tinto in 2022 took over the operation of Queensland Alumina, following sanctions from the Australian government aimed at gumming up Russia's mammoth aluminum industry.

Rusal disagreed with the decision and took legal action to seek to resume its role in the business.

"Rio Tinto can confirm the Federal Court has upheld that Australian government sanctions, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, restrict Rio Tinto from supplying bauxite to Rusal and restrict Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) from processing bauxite for, and supplying alumina to, Rusal," a Rio Tinto spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "Rio Tinto and QAL plan to continue to operate on this basis for as long as the sanctions continue."

A spokesperson for Rusal couldn't immediately be reached for comment.


Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-01-24 0158ET