Michael Gollschewski, Vice President Operations – Australia, Alcoa

Our technology roadmap has the potential to fundamentally change how aluminium is made and decarbonise major portions of the aluminium value chain.

Michael Gollschewski, Vice President Operations Australia and President Alcoa Australia, is responsible for Alcoa’s Australian Assets comprising 2 bauxite mines, 3 alumina refineries and an aluminium smelter.

Energy and Mines: How is the focus on climate change and ESG driving energy and mobility decisions for mining operations?

Michael Gollschewski: Consumers are demanding more sustainable products and businesses are seeking opportunities to reduce the carbon impacts of their supply chains. Sustainability is no longer a strategic consideration – it’s a strategic imperative. We invented the aluminium industry more than 135 years ago and we are driven to create a more sustainable future today - one where aluminium will play an even larger role in solving challenges in a carbon-constrained world.

Alcoa’s vision is to reinvent the aluminium industry for a sustainable future. We have an important role to play in addressing society’s growing demand for sustainable solutions. Aluminium is embedded as a commodity in our daily lives because of its fundamental characteristics of being light weight yet surprisingly strong, highly durable and 100% recyclable. It is vital for an evolving economy with many applications including automotives and electric vehicles, aeronautics, solar power and LED lighting.

EandM: How is the drive to decarbonise shifting the thinking and approach to renewable energy for mining?

MG: How we make our products is just as important as what we make. We already operate the industry’s lowest-carbon alumina refining system in the world and we are working to increase the share of our operations that are powered by renewable energy. We are also finding ways to reduce water use and landfilled waste.

Our technology roadmap will provide a significant reduction in carbon emission across our entire portfolio and this will have wider applications for the aluminium industry as a whole. Our Refinery of the Future project aims to achieve zero-carbon alumina refining through the use of a host of processes and new technologies that we are working to adapt to alumina refining. When combined with a decarbonised grid, these technologies could reduce a refinery’s carbon emissions by about 98% and reduce fresh water use by up to 70%.

EandM: What are the main challenges of trying to meet 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation goals for mines?

In 2021, we announced an ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) across our global operations by 2050. That builds on our pre-existing targets to reduce our direct and indirect GHG emissions from aluminium smelting and alumina refining operations from 2015 baselines by 30% by 2025 and 50% by 2030. Our technology roadmap has the potential to fundamentally change how aluminium is made and decarbonise major portions of the aluminium value chain.

Globally competitive energy prices also remain a critical factor – we can operate with renewables, but they need to be consistent and reliable.

EandM: Who are you looking forward to connecting with at Energy and Mines Australia Summit, September 6-7, Westin Perth?

MG: I am interested to meet with others in the resources sector who share our vision for a sustainable future.

Michael Gollschweski will be participating in the Keynote Panel: Mining’s Energy, Decarbonisation, and ESG Transformation, September 6, 9:10 AM, Energy and Mines Australia Summit 2022

Michael Gollschewski, Vice President Operations – Australia , Alcoa