Russia’s Rusal – the world’s largest producer of aluminium outside China and a major supplier of the light metal to European manufacturers – achieved Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) certifications for a bauxite mine, an alumina refinery and an aluminium smelting operation – including semi-fabrication activities. The achievement brings Rusal one step closer to its aim of gaining ASI certification of all its facilities.
The company’s JSC Boksin Timana bauxite mine, Rusal Kamensk-Uralskiy alumina refinery, and a branch of PJSC Rusal Bratsk aluminium smelting facility received the ASI Performance Standard and ASI Chain of Custody Standard certifications after undergoing an independent third-party audit carried out by a Norwegian company DNV GL.
Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI said: “ASI congratulates RUSAL on its dual Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard certification. Given the challenging environment in which the Company has been operating until recently, its certification to both ASI Standards from bauxite mine through to casthouse and semi-fabrication is a significant achievement and a clear demonstration of the Company’s commitment to responsible operating practices.”
Evgenii Nikitin, RUSAL’s Chief Executive Officer, explained: “Adhering to the key sustainability principles at every step of our operations is crucial for our relationship with employees, customers, communities and shareholders. We are delighted to have achieved this first certification. Receiving recognition from ASI, such a reputable organisation, is an important milestone for RUSAL and further proves that we are committed to be a leading, responsible aluminium producer”.
Rusal’s certifications include bauxite mining through to casthouse operations and allow the company to produce ASI certified aluminium. The Performance Standard certification includes criteria such as environmental performance and human rights. Meanwhile, the Chain of Custody Standard certification means that Rusal’s metal meets responsible production and sourcing standards.
ASI is a worldwide organisation dedicated to setting industrial standards and certifications in the aluminium industry. The association attempts to bring together various stakeholders in the aluminium industry in order to achieve such objectives as sustainable production, material chain-of-custody procedures, recycling, production standards, and improving understanding of social impacts related to aluminium production.