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Alumina

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FY2017 Annual Report · Alumina
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ANNUAL 
REPORT 2017

AWAC, one of the 
world's largest bauxite and 
alumina producers.

The quality of Alumina Limited's 
assets and improved markets 
delivered outstanding returns 
for shareholders in 2017.

Structural reforms within China 
signal a new phase for global bauxite 
and alumina markets.

CONTENTS

04 

06 

12 

14 

20 

36 

38 

62 

97 

99 

At a Glance

 Chairman and CEO Report

Sustainability

Director's Report

Operating and Financial Review

 Letter by Chair of the 
Compensation Committee

Remuneration Report

Financial Report

Shareholder Information

Financial History

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

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2¬

About Alumina Limited

Alumina Limited is a leading Australian company listed on the 
Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

Alumina Limited is the 40 per cent partner in the Alcoa World 
Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) joint venture whose assets 
comprise globally leading bauxite mines and alumina refineries 
in Australia, Brazil, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Guinea. AWAC also 
has a 55 per cent interest in the Portland aluminium smelter in 
Victoria, Australia.

AWAC’s joint partner and operator is Alcoa Corporation. The 
AWAC joint venture was formed in 1994 and our relationship 
with Alcoa dates back to the early 1960's when Western Mining 
Corporation (now Alumina Limited) began to explore bauxite 
deposits and other resources in the Darling Ranges of Western 
Australia. Alcoa Inc. was invited to join the project to provide 
technology, aluminium expertise and finance.

Over the following years the venture grew to include refineries 
and smelter interests as the partners sought to take opportunities 
to expand the business. By 1990, WMC Limited’s interests in 
Alcoa of Australia had grown through acquiring the interests of 
other minority participants, other than Alcoa.

Alumina Limited provides a unique 
opportunity for a pure investment 
in AWAC, one of the world's largest 
bauxite and alumina producers.

WMC Limited (now Alumina Limited) and Alcoa Inc. combined 
their respective bauxite, alumina and alumina-based chemicals 
businesses  and  investments  and  some  selected  smelting 
operations to create Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC  
in January 1995.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 3 

At a Glance

In 2017 Alumina Limited recorded a profit after tax of $339.8 
million compared to a net loss of $30.2 million in 2016.

Index pricing for alumina quickly translated more favourable 
market outcomes to Alumina Limited's bottom line.

Improvements in realised alumina prices resulted in significantly 
improved operating performance by Alcoa World Alumina and 
Chemicals (AWAC).

AWAC’s financial performance reflected the underlying strengths 
of its tier one assets, improvements in the quality of its asset 
portfolio and a new phase of policy-making in China.

ALUMINA LIMITED RESULTS (AAS)

$339.8m

NET PROFIT AFTER TAX 
US$339.8 MILLION

$343.1m

CASH RECEIPTS OF 
US$343.1 MILLION

(2016: NET LOSS AFTER TAX: US$(30.2) MILLION)

(2016: CASH US$232.8 MILLION)

13.5 US cents per share

2017 DIVIDENDS OF 
US13.5 CENTS PER SHARE

$58.4m

NET DEBT 
US$58.4 MILLION

(2016: DIVIDEND: US6.0 CENTS PER SHARE)

(2016: US$83.8 MILLION)

4¬

AWAC - a Global Business

In 2017 AWAC recorded a net profit after tax of $901.3 million 
compared to a net profit after tax of $49.0 million in 2016. AWAC’s 
results were impacted by alumina price fundamentals. Also, the sea 
borne bauxite market saw third party bauxite sales increase to 6.6 
million bone dry tonnes (BDT). AWAC’s EBITDA, excluding significant 
items rose to $1,685.3 million compared to $757.2 million in 2016. 

Cash from operations spurred by the higher alumina sales price 
increased to $1,102.4 million up from negative $26.2 million. The 
2017 average realised alumina price was $335 per tonne, a year on 
year improvement of $93 per tonne (38%). With approximately 
85% of shipments priced on spot or an index basis, AWAC was 
well positioned to capitalise on the steep upward price movement.

AWAC RESULTS (US GAAP)

$901.3m

AWAC NET PROFIT AFTER TAX 
US$901.3 MILLION

(2016 NET PROFIT AFTER TAX: US$49.0 MILLION)

$1,102.4m

AWAC CASH FROM OPERATIONS 
US$1,102.4 MILLION

(2016: US$(26.2) MILLION)

US$335/tonne

REALISED ALUMINA PRICE OF 
US$335 PER TONNE

(2016: US$242 PER TONNE)

US$1,685.3m

AWAC EBITDA EXCLUDING SIGNIFICANT ITEMS 
US$1,685.3 MILLION

(2016: US$757.2MILLION)

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 5 

 
Chairman and CEO Report

2017 was an outstanding year for Alumina Limited. 
AWAC’s tier one assets can withstand the low 
points of the cycle and generate excellent returns 
when markets are favourable.

In 2017, the alumina industry experienced potentially far reaching 
changes. New Chinese Government pollution reduction and 
efficiency policies and improved global market fundamentals 
saw a 38 per cent increase in alumina prices compared with the 
2016 average price. Better prices, together with improvements 
in the AWAC asset portfolio resulted in the Company’s net profit 
increasing to $340 million. Dividends to shareholders more than 
doubled to US13.5 cents per share.

CHANGING MARKETS

In 2017, the Chinese Central and Regional Governments introduced 
policies to reduce pollution by mandating significant curtailments 
including alumina, aluminium and carbon production in selected 
cities  during  the  2017/18  winter.  These  policies  required  the 
curtailment  of  30  percent  of  China’s  alumina  and  aluminium 
production in the selected cities. There have also been a number 
of Chinese Government environmental audits in 2017 which have 
led to a reduction in bauxite and alumina production.

The Central Government also introduced supply side reforms 
in 2017 to reduce inefficient or obsolete capacity in aluminium 
and other industries. This has led initially to the curtailment 
of  a  significant  volume  of  smelting  capacity  built  without 
authorisation. A scheme has been introduced which allows 
companies to obtain replacement quotas authorising additional 
capacity. This is expected to add to Chinese smelting capacity 
coming online during 2018 and to restrict smelting growth 
beyond 2018–2019.

The alumina supply/demand balance outside China also tightened 
in the second half of 2017. Increased costs in producing alumina, 
improved aluminium prices and strong demand for alumina 

(including from Atlantic smelters), all contributed to a steep rise 
in alumina prices.

The alumina spot price increased from an average of $318 per 
tonne for the first half of 2017, reaching a 2017 high of $484 and 
averaging $390 for the second half. Alumina prices have continued 
to trade strongly in early 2018.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

AWAC produced its best cash returns since 2007. AWAC’s full 
year net profit after tax was US$901 million. AWAC's realised 
alumina prices averaged $335 per tonne in 2017 and its position in 
the lowest quartile on the cost curve produced alumina margins 
of $137 per tonne in 2017, compared with $51 per tonne in 2016.

AWAC’s high quality refineries at Pinjarra and Wagerup in Australia 
and Alumar, Brazil achieved production records in 2017. Total AWAC 
alumina production was 12.5 million mtpa in 2017.

AWAC’s bauxite mines in Australia and Brazil also achieved 
production records for 2017.

AWAC’s cost of alumina production increased to $198 per tonne 
in 2017, a 3.7 percent increase year on year mainly driven by an 
increase in caustic soda prices – a key production input.

The ramping up of Ma'aden's Saudi Arabian bauxite mine and 
alumina refinery (in which AWAC holds a 25.1 per cent interest) 
continued during 2017. The Ma’aden refinery has recently operated 
at its full production capacity of 1.8 million mtpa. At full production 
it is expected to operate within the lowest quartile on a cash 
cost basis.

6 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

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MR G JOHN PIZZEY

MR MIKE FERRARO

6 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 7 

The capacity expansion within China over the last decade and 
resulting cost pressures on the existing industry nonetheless 
required AWAC to close, mothball or sell the least robust of its 
assets. The outcome was a substantial increase of the quality 
of the portfolio as a whole. The higher cost Kwinana and San 
Ciprian refineries were restructured and significantly improved.

The changes to the alumina and aluminium markets, particularly 
within China over the last 12 months are highly significant. They 
represent the first evidence of the impact from China reducing 
excess capacity and imposing stricter pollution controls. The 
permanence of these changes and impacts are still to be seen.  
However, AWAC is very well positioned, as a large, low cost 
producer, to benefit from these market changes.

 AWAC’s long life and low cost 
bauxite mines and refineries in 
Western Australia, and joint venture 
investment in the Saudi Arabia 
refinery are clearly tier one assets.

GROWING AWAC

AWAC’s bauxite mining business unit consolidated its position 
during 2017. AWAC supplied 6.6 million bone dry tonnes (BDT) 
to the third party bauxite market in 2017. The Juruti mine in Brazil 
has undergone two separate expansions from 2016, which will 
increase production capacity to 5.7 million mtpa during 2018. 
These expansions have been made at a very low capital investment 
by utilising existing infrastructure.

AWAC is also supplying bauxite from its Huntly mine in Western 
Australia to China. This is an important step forward in leveraging 
the existing resource and infrastructure of the Western Australian 
bauxite operations. AWAC has committed to a capital project  
to provide increased bauxite export capability through Western 
Australia. The project includes bauxite unloading facilities, a new 
rail loop and a train unloading facility.

With higher alumina prices and margins in 2017, AWAC’s cash 
from operations increased from $26 million to $1,102.4 million. 
Alumina Limited received a higher level of cash distributions of 
$343m from AWAC. The changes to the AWAC Agreements on 
distributions agreed in September 2016 ensured that the benefits 
of strong cash flow were quickly distributed to Alumina Limited. 
This enabled payment of a final dividend of US9.3 cents per share, 
bringing the total declared dividend for the year to US13.5 cents 
per share. This is a substantial increase on the US6.0 cents per 
share for 2016. 

ALUMINA LIMITED STRATEGY

The AWAC joint venture has existed for over 55 years, when 
Alumina Limited (then known as Western Mining Corporation) 
explored in the Darling Ranges in Western Australia and sought 
partners to develop bauxite. The business and its partners have 
seen many changes over that time. Alumina Limited and its 
majority joint venture partner Alcoa re-negotiated the terms of 
the AWAC agreements in 2016 resulting in significantly better 
alignment on achieving the best outcomes for AWAC. Alcoa and 
Alumina are deeply focussed on achieving the best outcomes 
for AWAC.

New Chinese Government pollution 
reduction and efficiency policies and 
improved global market fundamentals 
saw a 38 per cent increase in alumina 
prices compared with the 2016 
average price.

Alumina Limited’s objective is to manage its joint venture interest 
to enhance the joint venture’s value, whilst also protecting its 
shareholders' interests. The Company’s strategy is to invest in 
long-life, low-cost bauxite mining and alumina refining operations 
through its 40 percent ownership of AWAC, one of the world’s 
largest alumina and bauxite producers.

The expansion by China to constitute nearly 55 per cent of the 
world alumina industry has challenged the rest of the world 
industry and their returns.

AWAC’s strategy in response has been to actively manage its 
asset portfolio, drive down its cost position, and achieve alumina 
pricing based on alumina market fundamentals. AWAC’s long life 
and low cost bauxite mines and refineries in Western Australia, 
and joint venture investment in the Saudi Arabia refinery are 
clearly tier one assets. The quality of AWAC's assets has enabled 
it to withstand challenging industry conditions.

8 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬9 

PORTLAND'S FUTURE

In 2017, Alcoa of Australia entered into a new 4 year power 
supply agreement, and arrangements with the Victorian and 
Australian Governments for the restart of the Portland smelter. 
Power prices paid by the smelter are very high compared to its 
Western World competitors.

Portland’s future is secured only for the medium term. The supply 
of affordable energy in Eastern Australia is of significant national 
interest. AWAC is exploring long term, reliable and competitively-
priced  energy  solutions  for  the  Portland  smelter.  However, 
Eastern Australia’s energy competitiveness has deteriorated 
significantly in recent years. There is an enormous challenge 
for energy intensive users such as Portland to plan and operate 
competitively in that environment.

Portland’s future is secured only 
for the medium term. 

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT/SHAREHOLDER RETURNS

Alumina’s dividend policy is that the Board intends on an annual 
basis to distribute cash from operations after debt servicing 
and corporate costs and capital commitments have been met. 
The Board will also consider the capital structure of Alumina 
Limited, the capital requirements for the AWAC business and 
market conditions. 

Corporate costs for Alumina Limited in 2017 were lower at US$13.6 
million compared with 2016 when expenses were incurred to 
reach agreement on the Alcoa Inc Separation.

Alumina’s debt is currently at low levels and gearing is 2.5 per 
cent. The Company’s low debt levels enabled distributions from 
AWAC to be readily made to shareholders. 

SUSTAINABILITY

The impact of AWAC operations extends beyond economic and 
financial outcomes and includes social and environmental matters 
relevant to the community.  AWAC continues to be successful in 
developing strategies and utilising innovative new technologies 
to minimise environmental impacts.  Strategic goals have been 
set for a variety of environmental impacts including emissions, 
energy, water, land and waste management.

A recent success has been the introduction of pressure filtration 
technology at the Kwinana alumina refinery in Western Australia 
that uses very large filters to extract water from bauxite residue. 
The water obtained via the process is recycled back into the 
refinery process.  Application of this technology has deferred the 
need to construct another 30-hectare residue storage area for 

at least 20 years compared to every five years previously.  This 
technology reduces freshwater use by 1.2 gigalitres per annum 
and, importantly, contributes to directly reducing the footprint of 
the residue storage areas, reduces dust emission, returns process 
material immediately back to the refinery for use and reduces 
capital investment and operating costs. This technology will now 
be applied at the Pinjarra refinery.

GOVERNANCE

The Remuneration Report reviews the Company’s remuneration 
strategy, policy and outcomes. The Company’s 2017 Remuneration 
Report provides full details of the personal and corporate objectives 
of senior executives and an assessment of performance against 
those objectives.

The Company reports its governance practices consistent with 
the 3rd Edition of the Corporate Governance Principles and 
Recommendations of the ASX Corporate Governance Council. 
Alumina’s compliance with the Corporate Governance Principles 
and Recommendations is defined in the Appendix 4G lodged 
with the ASX.

For Non-Executive Directors, fees had been unchanged since 1 
January 2011 until 2017. In 2017, while base Non-Executive Director 
fees remain at $150,000, fees for chairing Board Committees 
were increased in 2017 and the Chairman’s fee was increased 
by 9 percent.

BOARD AND MANAGEMENT

In November 2017, John Pizzey announced his decision to retire 
as Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Alumina Limited on 
31 March 2018. He has been a Director of the Company since 
2007 and Chairman since December 2011. Mr Pizzey exercised his 
considerable industry experience and drive to lead the Company 
through a major transformation.  We acknowledge and thank Mr 
Pizzey for his outstanding contribution to the Company.

The Board appointed Peter Day to succeed Mr Pizzey as Chairman 
of the Company.  Mr Day has been a Non-Executive Director with 
the Company since January 2014.

Alumina Limited has continued its process of succession planning 
in 2017. Mr John Bevan and Ms Deborah O’Toole joined as 
directors and a new CEO was appointed. Mr Bevan was previously 
Chief Executive Officer of Alumina Limited from 2008 to 2013. 
Mr Bevan will bring a valuable understanding of the markets and 
the joint venture in which the Company operates. Ms O’Toole is 
a former Chief Financial Officer of MIM and Aurizon and brings 
extensive financial knowledge and expertise.

Particular thanks goes to Peter Wasow who retired as Chief 
Executive Officer in May 2017 after three and a half years in the 
role. Mr Wasow’s leadership of the Company was integral to the 
substantive changes to the AWAC joint venture in 2016.

8 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 9 

Bauxite demand is expected to grow along with alumina demand. 
However, there is an ample current global supply of bauxite. 
Increases in production from Guinea are expected to continue and 
further supply from Indonesia and Malaysia is likely in 2018. This will 
ensure that bauxite remains well-supplied and prices are likely to 
remain flat in 2018. Guinea is expected to be the marginal supplier 
of bauxite to China in the near to mid-term at least. However, the 
Government’s environmental focus in China is having an impact on 
bauxite production and the location of new refining capacity. This 
is likely to accelerate the increased demand for imported bauxite 
into China from the step-change expected around 2021 as Chinese 
domestic bauxite quality depletes.

CONCLUSION

The benefit of AWAC’s tier one assets is not only can they 
withstand low points of the cycle, they generate excellent returns 
when markets are strong. This is precisely what we have seen 
this year.  Following difficult years that required a succession of 
hard decisions, AWAC’s portfolio is now even more concentrated 
on the most competitive assets in the global market. China has 
recognised some of the social costs of expansion. Its efforts 
to contain these costs have resulted in curtailments of supply, 
signalling a new and potentially more positive phase for bauxite, 
alumina and aluminium markets worldwide.

The Board thanks the employees of Alumina Limited for their 
work in 2017.

Mike Ferraro   Chief Executive Officer 
—

GJ Pizzey Chairman 
—

Mike Ferraro, who has been a Non-Executive Director of Alumina 
Limited since 2014, began as Chief Executive Officer on 1 June 
2017. Mr Ferraro brings extensive skills and experience as a partner 
of Herbert Smith Freehills, a member of its global management 
committee and through his previous senior role in the resources 
industry with BHP Billiton.

AWAC's portfolio is now even more 
concentrated on the most competitive 
assets in the global market.

OUTLOOK

Demand for alumina is expected to continue to grow in 2018, 
with smelter grade alumina production forecast to reach over 129 
million tonnes globally, an annual increase of over 4%. Restoration 
of disrupted production and new smelting production is expected 
in China, India, USA, Oman, Australia and Bahrain. The Atlantic 
market alumina supply remains tight. However, extra alumina 
supply is coming online in Jamaica from a previously curtailed 
refinery and first alumina is expected from a new refinery in 
the UAE in the first half of 2019. The ABI Bécancour smelter in 
Canada has been partly curtailed related to industrial action and 
its annualised production may drop for some time, decreasing 
alumina demand in the Atlantic. The world's largest refinery in 
Brazil, Alunorte, may produce less alumina following an incident 
in February 2018. The announced imposition of tariffs on the 
import of primary aluminium into the USA, may lead to a greater 
likelihood of more restarts of curtailed US smelters which would 
increase demand for alumina in the USA. These matters may cause 
some fluctuations in 2018 in the alumina price. Otherwise alumina 
supply/demand is expected to remain reasonably balanced.

The full extent of the Chinese alumina and aluminium curtailments 
to combat pollution in heavily-populated areas in China will not be 
known until after the end of the Chinese winter heating season in 
March 2018. However, the cuts have been significant and because 
they appear to have had a positive impact on pollution they may 
be  repeated,  at  least  in  the  winter  of  2018/19.  Furthermore, 
environmental audits of bauxite mines, alumina refineries and 
aluminium smelters are continuing in China and have led to recent 
curtailments due to non-compliance. Also, the environmental 
imperative to consume more gas than coal where possible has 
led to natural gas shortages in parts of China. This has impacted 
China's alumina production.

10 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 11 

Sustainability

“Future positive” well describes Alumina Limited's outlook for 2018. Our confidence 
extends from positive financial results for shareholders to our view on the impacts 
of AWAC’s operations on the environment and on its protection for future 
generations. AWAC's focus on continuous improvement has resulted in better 
sustainability outcomes.

AWAC is a modern business in the sense that it is accountable 
to both its shareholders and to the broader society to which the 
business is a positive contributor. Alumina is acutely aware that 
because the AWAC business operates as part of the community, 
its operating procedures and impacts must be responsible and 
acceptable. Alumina understands that AWAC’s environmental 
impacts  are  critical  and  that  the  community  expects  that 
the company will find an appropriate balance for its financial 
imperatives and its obligations to future generations through the 
sustainability of its activities.

AWAC’s desired sustainability outcomes are incorporated into the 
heart of its business strategy, planning and processes. Targeted 
outcomes are derived from an assessment of how key material 
aspects of the business impact both the social and physical 
environment of its operations.

For the AWAC business the key material aspects cover:

•  Energy

•  Emissions

•  Water management

•  Waste management

•  Land management

•  Health and Safety

•  Local communities

•  Economic considerations.

AWAC takes into account what key stakeholders say about the 
key material aspects of its operations. One of the most important 
themes stakeholders raise is the need for AWAC to constantly 
improve the management of its processing residues. Managing 
bauxite residues and waste is a key environmental issue for 
AWAC and its local communities and it comes with significant 
financial impact. The company is pleased to report that process 
and storage improvements in residue management introduced 
in the year are indeed future positive.

AWAC takes into account what 
key stakeholders say about the key 
material aspects of its operations.

At AWAC's Western Australian refineries, bauxite residue is produced 
at a rate of approximately two dry tonnes per tonne of alumina. The 
residue consists of coarse red sand (approximately 40%) and a 
fine silt fraction often referred to as red mud (approximately 60%). 
Bauxite residue has raised alkalinity due to the addition of caustic 
soda and lime in the refining process. It requires substantial storage 
areas. Typical storage areas consist of raised impoundments into 
which a thickened residue slurry is pumped progressively in layers to 
allow for solar drying. Successive layers are applied over the footprint 
of the storage area. An ongoing issue is the control of dust that is 
generated off surface residues. Management to minimise dust 
generation includes turning over the red mud, using sprinklers 
and water carts, spraying exposed banks with a dust suppressant, 
planting grasses or other vegetation and applying wood mulch.

12¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬13 

Above: Kwinana alumina refinery – pressure filtration facility.

Residue management impacts.

•  Site land management – particularly the utilisation 

The  application  of  this  residue  treatment  technology 
at Pinjarra is expected to deliver multiple benefits including:

of land to store the residue

•  Eliminating the need for new greenfield residue storage areas 

•  Water management – water consumed, alkaline recovery, 

process water management and dust suppression activities

•  External environment – managing and containing 

alkaline material

•  Local communities – mitigating dust impacts.

This year AWAC introduced an innovative pressure filtration 
system  at  the  Kwinana  refinery  which  produces  a  residue 
cake (70% solids) that can be stacked and does not require 
the construction of an impoundment. A similar system is being 
constructed at the Pinjarra refinery.

(RSAs) for at least 30 years

•   Reduced environmental footprint for residue management 
and reduced sustaining capital investment compared to the 
current dry stacking process

•  Significantly reducing the need to draw additional water to 

meet the processing requirements of the refinery 
by approximately 2 gigalitres per annum

•  Significant reduction in capital expenditure.

•  These are positive outcomes that see financial and 

sustainability benefits go hand in hand.

For a more comprehensive review of Alumina Limited’s and 
AWAC’s sustainability objectives, governance, processes and 
results, view the Sustainability Update on the Company web 
site at www.aluminalimited.com/sustainability-update-2016.

12 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 13 

Director’s Report

The Directors present their report on the consolidated entity consisting of Alumina 
Limited (the Company) and the entities it controlled at the end of, or during, 
the year ended 31 December 2017 (together the Group).

DIRECTORS

Unless otherwise indicated, the following persons were 
Directors of the Company during the whole of the financial 
year and up to the date of this report:

G J Pizzey (Chairman)

P C Wasow (Managing Director and Chief Executive 
Officer) (part year – retired 31 May 2017)

E R Stein

C Zeng

W P Day

D O’Toole (part year – appointed 1 December 2017)

M P Ferraro (Non-Executive Director until 31 May 
2017; appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive 
Officer 1 June 2017)

J A Bevan was appointed a Non-Executive Director 
on 1 January 2018.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Company’s Directors in office as at 31 December 2017 were:

— 
MR G JOHN PIZZEY 
B.E (CHEM), DIP. MGT., FTSE, FAICD

Independent Non-Executive Director and 
Chairman

Mr  Pizzey  was  elected  a  Director  of  the 
Company on 8 June 2007. He is a Non-Executive Director of Orora 
Limited (appointed December 2013), Non-Executive Director and 
Chairman of Kidman Resources Limited (appointed January 2018) 
and former Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Iluka Resources 
Ltd (appointed November 2005 and resigned December 2013) 
and a former Non-Executive director of Amcor Limited (appointed 
September 2003 and resigned December 2013). 

Mr Pizzey is a life governor of Ivanhoe Grammar School and a former 
chairman and director of the London Metal Exchange. He is a member 
of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and of the Nomination 
and Compensation Committees and was Chair of the then Audit 
Committee to 30 November 2011. Mr Pizzey has extensive business 
experience including 33 years as an executive in the alumina and 
aluminium industries.

— 
MS EMMA R STEIN 
BSC (PHYSICS) HONS, MBA, FAICD, 
HON FELLOW WSU

Independent 
Non-Executive Director

Ms Stein was elected as a Director of the Company on 3 February 
2011. 

Ms Stein is currently a Non-Executive Director of Cleanaway 
Waste Management Limited (formerly known as Transpacific 
Industries Group Ltd (appointed August 2011)) and Infigen 
Energy Limited (appointed September 2017). She is a former 
Non-Executive Director of Programmed Maintenance Services 
Ltd  (appointed  June  2010  and  resigned  October  2017), 
Diversified Utilities Energy Trust (appointed June 2004 and 
resigned May 2017) and Clough Limited (appointed July 2008 
and resigned December 2013). Formerly the UK Managing 
Director for French utility Gaz de France’s energy retailing 
operations, Ms Stein moved to Australia in 2003. Before joining 
Gaz de France, she was UK Divisional Managing Director for 
British Fuels. 

Ms Stein is Chair of the Compensation Committee (since 1 
January 2014), current member and former Chair of the Audit 
and Risk Management Committee (Chair from 28 November 
2013 to 31 December 2013) and current member and Chair 
of  the  Nomination  Committee.  As  a  senior  executive,  she 
gained considerable international experience in management 
and leadership, strategy development and implementation in 
global industrial, energy and utilities markets. She has over a 
decade of experience as a listed Non-Executive director and 
board committee chair for capital intensive companies spanning 
resources, oil and gas and related sectors.

14¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬15 

— 
MR CHEN ZENG 
MIF

Non-Executive 
Director

Mr Zeng was appointed as a Director of the Company on 15 March 
2013. He is a member of the Nomination, Compensation and Audit 
and Risk Management Committees (appointed 7 August 2014). 
Mr Zeng is also currently a director of CITIC Pacific Limited, Chief 
Executive Officer of CITIC Pacific Mining and Chief Executive Officer 
of CITIC Mining International, the holding company of CITIC Pacific 
Mining. He is a former director of CITIC Limited (listed on the 
Hong Kong Exchange), CITIC Dameng (listed on the Hong Kong 
Exchange), Macarthur Coal Limited (2007 to 2011) and Marathon 
Resources Limited (resigned 31 January 2014). Mr Zeng also served 
as a director on the Board of CITIC Group between 2010 and 2011. 

Before joining CITIC Pacific Mining, Mr Zeng was the Vice Chairman 
and CEO of CITIC Resources, a CITIC Group controlled Hong Kong 
listed company focused on crude oil production, metal mining and 
refining, and commodity trading. Mr Zeng is also the Chairman 
of CITIC Australia. Mr Zeng has over 27 years of experience in 
project development, management, and a proven record in leading 
cross-cultural professionals in the resources sector. He has been 
working in Australia since 1994 and has extensive experience in 
various industries including aluminium smelting and coal mining.

— 
MR W PETER DAY 
LLB (HONS), MBA, FCA, FCPA, FAICD

Independent 
Non-Executive Director

Mr Day was appointed as a Director of the 
Company on 1 January 2014, and was appointed Deputy Chairman 
of the Board on 21 August 2017. He is a member of the Nomination 
and Compensation Committees and is Chair of the Audit and Risk 
Management Committee. Mr Day is also currently a Non-Executive 
Director  of  Ansell  (appointed  August  2007),  Non-Executive 
Chairman of Australian Unity Office Fund (appointed September 
2015), and a former director of: Boart Longyear (February 2014–
September 2017), Federation Centres (October 2009–February 
2014), Orbital Corporation (August 2007–February 2014) and SAI 
Global (August 2008–December 2016). 

Mr Day brings extensive experience in the resource, finance and 
manufacturing sectors, having held a number of senior positions 
with Bonlac Foods, Rio Tinto, CRA, Comalco and the Australian 
Securities and Investments Commission. He is a former CFO of 
Amcor Limited. He also supports initiatives in disability services 
and mentoring.

— 
MS DEBORAH O’TOOLE 
LLB, MAICD

Independent 
Non Executive Director

Ms O’Toole was appointed as a director on 1 
December 2017. She has been appointed as a member of the Audit 
and Risk Management Committee, the Nomination Committee 
and the Compensation Committee. Ms O’Toole is a Non-Executive 
Director of Sims Metal Management Limited (appointed November 
2014), the Asciano Rail Group of Companies operating as Pacific 
National Rail (appointed October 2016), Credit Union Australia 
Ltd (appointed March 2014) and the Wesley Research Institute 
(appointed March 2013). She is a former Non-Executive Director 
of Boart Longyear Limited (appointed 1 October 2014 and resigned 
September  2017),  CSIRO,  Norfolk  Group,  various  companies 
in the MIM and Aurizon Groups and Government and private 
sector advisory boards. She has acted as Chairperson of the Audit 
Committees of CSIRO, Norfolk Group and Pacific Aluminium.

Ms O’Toole has extensive executive experience across a number of 
sectors including over 20 years in the mining industry and, more 
recently, in transport and logistics which included managerial, 
operational and financial roles. She has been Chief Financial 
Officer of three ASX listed companies: MIM Holdings Limited, 
Queensland Cotton Holdings Limited and, most recently, Aurizon 
Holdings Limited.

—

MR JOHN A BEVAN  
BCom

Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Mr Bevan was appointed Non-Executive Director on 1 January 
2018. He has been appointed a member of the Audit and Risk 
Management Committee, the Compensation Committee and 
the Nomination Committee. Mr Bevan is currently a director and 
Chairman of BlueScope Steel Limited (appointed March 2014), a 
director and Deputy Chairman of Ansell (appointed August 2012) 
and a former director of Nuplex Industries Limited (September 
2015–September 2016). 

Mr Bevan was formerly the Chief Executive Officer and Executive 
Director of Alumina Limited (2008–2013). Prior to his 2008 
appointment to Alumina Limited, he spent 29 years in the BOC 
Group Plc where he was a member of the Board of Directors and 
held a variety of senior management positions in Australia, Korea, 
Thailand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Mr Bevan brings 
to the Board extensive commercial and operational experience 
gained through operating joint ventures in many parts of the 
world, particularly Asia.

14¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 15 

—

MR MIKE FERRARO 
LLB (HONS) 

Managing Director 
and Chief Executive Officer

Prior to his appointment as CEO and Managing Director Mr 
Ferraro was a Non-Executive Director of Alumina Limited from 5 
February 2014 to 31 May 2017 and Partner, Client Development-
Asia Pacific at Herbert Smith Freehills, a global law firm. He was 
also formerly head of the firm’s Corporate Group and a member 
of its executive management team. Mr Ferraro is also currently a 
Non-Executive Director of Helloworld Travel Limited (appointed 
January 2017).

Between 2008 and 2010 Mr Ferraro was Chief Legal Counsel at 
BHP Billiton Ltd. Mr Ferraro has considerable experience in the 
resources sector and has over 35 years of experience in joint 
ventures, mergers and acquisitions, fund raising and regulatory 
issues across a wide range of sectors and countries. He also has 
considerable experience in the commercial and financing aspects 
of large transactions gained from a number of years in investment 
banking as a corporate adviser.

—

COMPANY SECRETARY

MR STEPHEN FOSTER 
BCOM LLB (HONS) GDIPAPPFIN 
(SEC INST) GRADDIP CSP, ACIS

The role of Company Secretary/General Counsel for Alumina 
Limited includes: 

•  Providing legal advice to the Board and management as 

required

•  Advising the Board on corporate governance principles

•  Generally attending all Board meetings and preparing the 

minutes

•  Monitoring that the Board and Committee policies and 

procedures are followed

•  Facilitating the induction of Directors

•  Managing compliance with regulatory requirements.

MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS

Particulars of the number of meetings of the Company’s Directors 
(including meetings of committees of Directors) during the financial 
year, and the number of those meetings attended by each Director 
(as applicable), are detailed in the table on page 17.

INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS

Particulars of relevant interests in shares in the Company, or in 
any related body corporate held by the Directors as at the date 
of this report are set out in the Remuneration Report on page 61 
of this report. Particulars of rights or options over shares in the 
Company, or in any related body corporate, held by the Directors 
as at the date of this report are set out in the Remuneration Report 
on page 61 of this report.

 General Counsel/ Company Secretary

INSURANCE OF OFFICERS

Mr Foster is responsible for legal, company secretarial, shareholder 
services, insurance and human resources. He has a wide range 
of legal and commercial experience gained over 30 years, more 
recently at Village Roadshow and WMC Limited, after working 
with the legal firm of Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now 
Allens). The appointment of the Company Secretary/General 
Counsel is ratified by the Board. As defined in the Board Charter, 
the Company Secretary is accountable directly to the Board, 
through the Chair, on all matters to do with the proper functioning 
of the Board. 

During or since the end of the financial year, the Group has paid 
the premiums in respect of a contract to insure Directors and 
other officers of the Group against liabilities incurred in the 
performance of their duties on behalf of the Group. The officers 
of the Group covered by the insurance policy include any natural 
person acting in the course of duties for the Group who is or was 
a Director, secretary or executive officer as well as senior and 
executive staff. The Company is prohibited, under the terms of 
the insurance contract, from disclosing details of the nature of 
liability insured against and the amount of the premium.

INDEMNITY OF OFFICERS

Rule 75 of the Company’s Constitution requires the Company to 
indemnify each officer of the Company (and, if the Board of the 
Company considers it appropriate, any officer of a wholly owned 
subsidiary of the Company) out of the assets of the Company 
against any liability incurred by the officer in or arising out of the 
conduct of the business of the Company or the relevant wholly-
owned subsidiary or in or arising out of the discharge of the duties 
of the officer, where that liability is owed to a person other than 
the Company or a related body corporate of the Company. This 
requirement does not apply to the extent that the liability arises out 
of conduct on the part of the officer which involved a lack of good 
faith, or to the extent that the Company is otherwise precluded 

16 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬17 

ALUMINA LIMITED DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2017

Board  
Meeting

Board  
Committee  
meetings

Audit and Risk 
Management 
Committee 
meetings

Compensation 
Committee  
meetings

Nominations 
Committee  
meetings

Directors

G J Pizzey

E R Stein

C Zeng1

P Day2

M Ferraro3

P Wasow4

D O’Toole5

Eligible 
to attend

Attended

Eligible 
to attend

Attended

Eligible 
to attend

Attended

Eligible 
to attend

Attended

Eligible  
to attend

Attended

9

9

9

9

9

4

1

9

9

9

9

9

4

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

7

7

7

7

3

na

1

7

7

7

7

3

na

1

6

6

6

6

3

na

1

6

6

5

5

2

na

1

5

5

5

5

3

na

1

5

5

5

5

3

na

1

Notes: 
1 Mr Zeng was an apology for one meeting of the Compensation Committee
2 Mr Day was an apology for one meeting of the Compensation Committee
3  Mr Ferraro was appointed Managing Director and CEO effective 1 June 2017 and therefore ceased to attend Committees in the capacity of a 
member/Non-Executive Director of the Board. Mr Ferraro was granted Leave of Absence for a meeting of the Compensation Committee

4 Mr Wasow retired as Managing Director and CEO effective 31 May 2017
5 Ms O’Toole was appointed a Non-Executive Director effective 1 December 2017

by law from providing an indemnity. It also does not apply to the 
extent and for the amount that the officer is not otherwise entitled 
to be indemnified and is not actually indemnified by another 
person (such as an insurer under any insurance policy). ‘Officer’ 
in this context means: a director, secretary, senior manager or 
employee; or a person appointed as a trustee by, or acting as 
a trustee at the request of, the Company or a wholly owned 
subsidiary of the Company, and includes a former officer. The 
Constitution also permits the Company, where the Board considers 
it appropriate, to enter into documentary indemnities in favour 
of such officers. The Company has entered into such Deeds of 
Indemnity with each of the Directors, which indemnify them 
consistently with rule 75 of the Constitution.

DIVIDENDS

Details of the dividends paid to members of the Company during 
the financial year are referred to in Note 6 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements found on page 79.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activities of the Group relate to its 40 per cent 
interest in the series of operating entities forming Alcoa World 
Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC). AWAC has interests in bauxite 
mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting. There have been 
no significant changes in the nature of the principal activities of 
the Group during the financial year.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AND RESULTS

The financial results for the Group include the 12 month results of 
AWAC and associated corporate activities. The Group’s net profit 
after tax for the 2017 financial year attributable to members of 
the Company was US$339.8 million profit (2016: US$30.2 million 
net loss). Excluding significant items, there would have been a 
net profit after tax of US$363.1 million (2016: US$88.3 million). 
For further information on the operations of the Group during 
the financial year and the results of these operations refer to the 
Operating and Financial Review on pages 20 to 35 of this report. 

MATTERS SUBSEQUENT TO THE END OF THE 
FINANCIAL YEAR

Other than as reported in Note 15 of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements (refer to page 88), there are no significant matters, 
circumstances or events that have arisen since the end of the 
financial year that have significantly affected, or may significantly 
affect, the Group’s operations, the results of those operations, 
or the Group’s state of affairs, in the financial years subsequent 
to the financial year ended 31 December 2017.

LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS

In the opinion of the Directors, it would prejudice the interests of 
the Group to provide additional information, except as reported 
in  this  Directors’  Report,  relating  to  likely  developments  in 
the operations of the Group and the expected results of those 
operations in the financial years subsequent to the financial year 
ended 31 December 2017

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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 17 

ROUNDING OF AMOUNTS

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

The Company has, for the 2017 reporting year, elected to disclose 
the Corporate Governance Statement only on the Company web 
site. The Corporate Governance Statement can be found at www.
aluminalimited.com/governance/.

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

As lead auditor for the audit of Alumina Limited for the year 
ended 31 December 2017, I declare that to the best of my 
knowledge and belief, there have been:
a)  no contraventions of the auditor independence 

requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation 
to the audit; and

b)  no contraventions of any applicable code of professional 

conduct in relation to the audit.

This declaration is in respect of Alumina Limited and the entities 
it controlled during the period.

John O’Donoghue 
Partner 
PricewaterhouseCoopers 
Melbourne 
22 March 2018

—

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757

2 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK VIC 3006, 
GPO Box 1331, MELBOURNE VIC 3001

T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

The Company is of a kind referred to in the Australian Securities and 
Investments Commission Corporations (Rounding in Financial/
Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191. Amounts shown in the 
Financial Report and this Directors’ Report have been rounded off 
to the nearest hundred thousand dollars, except where otherwise 
required, in accordance with that legislative instrument. 

SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS

There have been no significant changes in the state of affairs 
of the Group during the financial year.

AUDITOR

PricewaterhouseCoopers continues in office, in accordance with 
the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act). A copy of 
the Auditor’s Independence Declaration as required under section 
307C of the Corporations Act is set out on this page of this report.

NON-AUDIT SERVICES

The Group may decide to employ the auditor on assignments 
additional to their statutory audit duties where the auditor’s 
expertise and experience with the Company and/or the Group 
are important. Details of the amounts paid or payable to the 
auditor  (PricewaterhouseCoopers)  for  audit  and  non-audit 
services provided by (or on behalf of) the auditor and its related 
practices are disclosed in Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated 
Statements in the Financial Report on page 87.

The  Board  of  Directors  has  considered  the  position  and,in 
accordance  with  advice  received  from  the  Audit  and  Risk 
Management  Committee,  is  satisfied  that  the  provision  of 
non-audit services during the financial year by (or on behalf 
of) the auditor and its related practices, is compatible with the 
general standard of independence for auditors imposed by the 
Corporations Act. The Directors are satisfied that the provision 
of those non-audit services did not compromise the auditor 
independence requirements of the Corporations Act for the 
following reasons:

•  All non-audit services have been reviewed by the Audit and 
Risk Management Committee to ensure they do not impact 
the impartiality and objectivity of the auditor

•  None of the services undermine the general principles relating 
to auditor independence as set out in APES 110 Code of Ethics 
for Professional Accountants. The fees paid or payable during 
the financial year for services provided by (or on behalf of) 
the auditor of the parent entity are disclosed in Note 13 of the 
Notes to the Consolidated Statements in the Financial Report 
on page 87.

18 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 19 

Operating and Financial Review

NOTE REGARDING NON-IFRS FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Operating and Financial Review contains certain non-IFRS financial 
information. This information is presented to assist in making appropriate 
comparisons with prior year periods and to assess the operating performance 
of the business.

Alcoa World Alumina & Chemicals (AWAC) financial information, except 
as stated below, is extracted from audited financial statements prepared 
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the 
United States of America.

CONTENTS

1. 

STRATEGY AND BUSINESS MODEL 

2.  PRINCIPAL RISKS 

3.  REVIEW OF AWAC OPERATIONS 

4.  AWAC FINANCIAL REVIEW 

5.  ALUMINA LIMITED FINANCIAL REVIEW 

6.  MARKET OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE 

21

23

25

29

32

34

20 ¬
20 ¬
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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬21 

¬21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
1. STRATEGY AND BUSINESS MODEL

BUSINESS MODEL

Alumina Limited represents a unique investment in globally leading 
bauxite mines and alumina refineries through its 40% investment 
in Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC). AWAC also 
has a 55% interest in the Portland smelter in Victoria, Australia. 

The Company provides the cleanest look-through to AWAC’s 
underlying performance. This is possible because the financial 
policies of both Alumina Limited and AWAC ensure there is 
modest leverage in both the Company and AWAC, the Company’s 
own costs are minimal and the distribution policies of Alumina 
Limited and AWAC require free cash flows to be paid to their 
respective shareholders.

Alumina Limited’s net profit/(loss) is principally comprised of a 
return on its equity investment, and revenues are limited to small 
amounts of interest income and occasional one-off revenues.

AWAC was formed on 1 January 1995 by Alumina Limited and 
Alcoa Inc combining their respective global bauxite, alumina and 
alumina-based chemicals business and investments and their 
respective aluminium smelting operations in Australia. Following 
the separation of Alcoa Inc. into Alcoa Corporation and Arconic 
Inc. on 1 November 2016, Alcoa Corporation (Alcoa) replaced 
Alcoa Inc as Alumina Limited’s partner in the AWAC joint venture. 
Alcoa owns the 60% interest in the joint venture and manages 
the day-to-day operations.

San Ciprian

CBG

Al Ba’itha

Ras Al Khair 

Point Comfort

Afobaka

MRN

Juruti

Alumar

Kwinana

Huntly

Pinjarra

Willowdale

Wagerup

Portland

AWAC operations

Bauxite mine

Refinery

Smelter

Location

Energy

Equity interest

Bauxite mine

Refinery

2 0¬

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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 21 
¬ 21 
¬ 21 

The Strategic Council is the principal forum for Alcoa and Alumina 
Limited to provide direction and counsel to the AWAC entities in 
respect of strategic and policy matters. The Alcoa and Alumina 
Limited representatives on the boards of the AWAC entities are 
required, subject to their general fiduciary duties, to carry out 
the directions and the decisions of the Strategic Council. The 
Strategic Council has five members, three appointed by Alcoa (of 
which one is Chairman) and two by Alumina Limited (of which 
one is the Deputy Chairman). Decisions are made by majority 
vote except for matters which require a “super-majority” vote, 
which is a vote of at least 80% of the members appointed to the 
Strategic Council.

The following matters require a super-majority vote:

Also effective immediately on and from a change of control of 
Alcoa or Alumina Limited there is an increased opportunity for 
development projects and expansions, whereby if either Alumina 
Limited or Alcoa Corporation wishes to expand an existing AWAC 
operation, develop a new project on AWAC tenements or pursue 
a project outside of AWAC, it is entitled to do so on a sole basis 
after providing 180 days for the other party to explore joint 
participation in the proposed project. A partner that avails itself of 
such an opportunity would pay for all costs related to the project, 
including for AWAC resources and shared facilities used, and 
would be entitled to all of the project’s resulting off-take.

If there is a change of control of Alumina then, from a date 
nominated by Alumina:

•  change of the scope of AWAC

•  change in the dividend policy

•  equity calls on behalf of AWAC totalling, in any one year, in 

excess of $1 billion

•  acquisitions, divestitures, expansions and curtailments 
exceeding 2 million tonnes per annum of bauxite or 0.5 
million tonnes per annum of alumina or which have a sale 
price, acquisition price, or project total capital cost of US$50 
million or greater

•  Future alumina off-take rights, whereby from a date 

nominated by Alumina Limited or its acquirer will be entitled 
to buy, subject to its 40% ownership cap:

 – its net short position (calculated as total consumption less 
total owned production per annum) of alumina at market 
price for its internal consumption; plus

 – up to 1 million tonnes per annum alumina off-take, at 

market prices, which it may market and sell as it sees fit;

 – in all cases subject to AWAC third party customer 

•  implementation of related party transactions in excess of 

contracts being satisfied;

US$50 million

•  implementation of financial derivatives, hedges and other 
commodity price or interest rate protection mechanisms

•  decision to file for insolvency in respect of any AWAC 

company.

Under the general direction of the Strategic Council, Alcoa is 
the “industrial leader” and provides the operating management 
of AWAC and of all affiliated operating entities within AWAC.

Alumina Limited is entitled to representation in proportion to 
its ownership interest on the board of each entity in the AWAC 
structure and is currently represented on the boards of Alcoa of 
Australia Ltd (AofA), Alcoa World Alumina Brazil Ltda (AWA 
Brazil) and Alcoa World Alumina LLC (AWA LLC). In addition to 
the Strategic Council meetings, Alumina Limited’s Management 
and Board visit and review AWAC’s operations regularly. 

Subject to the exclusivity provisions of the AWAC agreements, 
AWAC is the exclusive vehicle for the pursuit of Alumina Limited’s 
and Alcoa’s (and their related corporations as defined) interests in 
the bauxite, alumina and inorganic industrial chemicals businesses, 
and neither party can compete with AWAC so long as they 
maintain an ownership interest in AWAC. In addition, Alumina 
Limited may not compete with the businesses of the integrated 
operations of AWAC (being the primary aluminium smelting and 
fabricating facilities and certain ancillary facilities that existed 
at the formation of AWAC). The exclusivity provisions would 
terminate immediately on and from a change in control of either 
Alumina Limited or Alcoa.

•  Future bauxite off-take rights, whereby from a date 

nominated by Alumina Limited or its acquirer will be entitled 
to buy, at market prices, up to its net short position of bauxite 
for internal consumption, subject to its 40% ownership cap.

STRATEGY ANALYSIS

AWAC is primarily focused on bauxite and alumina assets, and this 
is the key investment concern of Alumina Limited. That is, to invest 
in long-life, low cost bauxite and alumina assets through AWAC. 

Alumina Limited and Alcoa are different companies with different 
shareholders and different governance requirements. While 
AWAC is governed by constitutional documents, in a practical 
sense,  the  reconciliation  of  the  differing  interests  requires 
challenge, debate and negotiation. To do this well, Alumina 
Limited needs to have (and has) an independent understanding 
of the bauxite, alumina and aluminium market and views on the 
impact of changes in the market, in particular around capacity 
investment, pricing and the development of the Chinese industry. 
Through the role of Alumina Limited representatives on the 
Strategic Council and AWAC entity boards and working with 
Alcoa, Alumina Limited contributes to the strategic and high-level 
commercial actions of AWAC. 

22¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬23 

2. PRINCIPAL RISKS

The risk management processes are summarised in the Corporate 
Governance Statement located on the Company web site at www.
aluminalimited.com/governance/.

Alumina Limited’s risk management framework provides for 
the production of a Group risk matrix, which sets out Alumina 
Limited’s most significant risks and the steps taken to mitigate 
those risks. These risks are rated on the basis of their potential 
impact on the current operations and profitability and/or the 
long term value of the Group. Set out below are some of the key 
risks faced by Alumina Limited. However, there are other risks not 
listed below associated with an investment in Alumina Limited.

Movements  in  the  market  prices  of  bauxite,  alumina  and 
aluminium – AWAC’s, and hence Alumina Limited’s, performance 
is predominantly affected by the market price of alumina, and to 
some extent the market prices of bauxite and aluminium. Market 
prices are affected by numerous factors outside of Alumina 
Limited’s control. These include the overall performance of 
world economies, the related cyclicality of industries that are 
significant consumers of aluminium and movement in production 
disproportionate to demand (whether as a result of changes to 
production levels at existing facilities or the development of 
new facilities). A fall in the market prices of bauxite, alumina 
and aluminium can adversely affect Alumina Limited’s financial 
performance. AWAC seeks to identify ways in which to lower costs 
of production and thus achieving a low position on the cost curve. 
Achieving a low position on the cost curve allows AWAC to remain 
competitive in the event of unfavourable market movements. 
AWAC and Alumina Limited generally do not undertake hedging 
to manage this risk.

Fluctuations in exchange rates – while a significant proportion 
of AWAC’s costs are incurred in Australian dollars, its sales are 
denominated in US dollars. Accordingly, AWAC and Alumina’s 
Limited’s future profitability can be adversely affected by a 
strengthening of the Australian dollar against the US dollar and 
a strengthening against the US dollar of other currencies in which 
operating or capital costs are incurred by AWAC outside Australia, 
including the Brazilian Real. Also, given that China is a significant 
part of the world alumina and aluminium markets, fluctuations 
in the Chinese Renminbi against the US dollar could have some 
impact on other parts of the industry. AWAC and Alumina Limited 
generally do not undertake hedging activities to manage this risk.

Increases in AWAC’s production costs or a decrease in production 
– AWAC’s operations are subject to conditions beyond its control 
that may increase its costs or decrease its production, including 
increases in the cost of key inputs (including energy, raw materials, 
labour, caustic and freight), the non-availability of key inputs 
(including secure energy), weather and natural disasters, fires 
or explosions at facilities, unexpected maintenance or technical 
problems, key equipment failures, disruptions to or other problems 
with infrastructure and supply. In addition, industrial disruptions, 
work stoppages, refurbishments and accidents at operations may 
adversely affect profitability. Some cost inputs are subject to long 
term contracts to increase the certainty of input pricing. AWAC’s 
operating and maintenance systems and business continuity 
planning  seek  to  minimise  the  impact  of  non-availability  of 
key inputs. AWAC’s portfolio restructuring and repositioning 
continues to ensure that operations as a whole remain competitive. 
AWAC also invests in capital expenditure projects that will reduce 
cash costs over the long term. Planned development and capital 
expenditure projects may not result in anticipated construction 
costs or production rates being achieved.

AWAC structure – Alumina Limited does not hold a majority 
interest in AWAC, and decisions made by majority vote may not 
be in the best interests of Alumina Limited. There is also a risk that 
Alumina Limited and Alcoa may have differing priorities. During 
2016, the joint venture agreements were modified to ensure 
that certain key decisions require Alumina Limited’s consent by 
a super-majority vote.

Greenhouse  gas  emission  regulation  –  energy,  specifically 
electricity, is a significant input in a number of AWAC’s operations, 
making AWAC an emitter of greenhouse gases. The introduction 
of regulatory change by governments in response to greenhouse 
gas emissions may represent an increased cost to AWAC and 
may affect Alumina Limited’s profitability. AWAC and Alumina 
Limited monitor regulatory changes, and understand their effect 
on AWAC.

Political, legal and regulatory impacts – AWAC and Alumina 
Limited operate across a broad range of legal, regulatory or 
political systems. The profitability of those operations may be 
adversely impacted by changes in the regulatory regimes. AWAC 
and Alumina Limited’s financial results could be affected by 
new or increasingly stringent laws, regulatory requirements or 
interpretations, or outcomes of significant legal proceedings or 
investigations adverse to AWAC or Alumina Limited. 

2 2¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 23 

This may include a change in effective tax rates or becoming 
subject to unexpected or rising costs associated with business 
operations or provision of health or welfare benefits to employees, 
regulations or policies. 

AWAC is also subject to a variety of legal compliance risks. These 
risks include, among other things, potential claims relating to 
product  liability,  health  and  safety,  environmental  matters, 

intellectual property rights, government contracts, taxes and 
compliance with US and foreign export laws, anti-bribery laws, 
competition laws and sales and trading practices. Failure to 
comply with the laws regulating AWAC’s businesses may result 
in sanctions, such as fines or orders requiring positive action by 
AWAC, which may involve capital expenditure or the removal 
of licenses and/or the curtailment of operations. This relates 
particularly to environmental regulations. Alumina Limited and 
AWAC undertake a variety of compliance training and governance 
functions to mitigate these risks. Furthermore, AWAC maintains 
a spread of assets and customers across a portfolio of countries 
and regions to minimise disruption and concentration risk. 

Closure/impairment of assets – Alumina Limited may be required 
to record impairment charges as a result of adverse developments 
in the recoverable values of its assets. To the extent that the 
carrying value of an asset is impaired, such impairment may 
negatively impact Alumina Limited’s profitability during the 
relevant period. Closure, curtailment or sale of AWAC’s operations 
may result in a change in the timing of required remediation 
activities and/or an impairment being incurred as a result of 
the carrying value of an asset exceeding its recoverable value, 
but may be necessary to ensure the ongoing competitiveness 
of AWAC operations.

Customer risks – AWAC’s relationships with key customers for 
the supply of alumina (including Alcoa) are important to AWAC’s 
financial performance. The loss of key customers or changes to 
sales agreements could adversely affect AWAC’s and Alumina 
Limited’s financial performance. AWAC mitigates customer risk by 
having a broad customer base across many countries and regions. 

Debt refinancing – Alumina Limited’s ability to refinance its 
debt on favourable terms as it becomes due or to repay its debt, 
its ability to raise further finance on favourable terms, and its 
borrowing costs, will depend upon a number of factors, including 
AWAC’s operating performance, general economic conditions, 
political, capital and credit market conditions, external credit 
ratings and the reputation, performance and financial strength of 
Alumina Limited’s business. If a number of the risks outlined in this 
section eventuate (including the cyclicality of the alumina industry 
and adverse movements in the market prices of aluminium and 
alumina) and Alumina Limited’s operating performance, external 
credit rating or profitability is negatively impacted as a result of 
these risks, there is a risk that Alumina Limited may not be able 
to refinance expiring debt facilities or the costs of refinancing its 
debt may increase substantially.

Other risks include:

•  an alumina and/or aluminium market in supply surplus may lead 

to downward price pressure;

•  Chinese growth slowing and affecting aluminium consumption 

and hence aluminium and alumina demand;

•  Greater  Chinese  aluminium  production  at  lower  cost, 
combined  with  lower  demand  in  China,  may  lead  to  a 
greater  level  of  Chinese  primary  aluminium  and  semi-
finished  product  exports,  depressing  the  world  prices 
of aluminium;

•  Alcoa and its subsidiaries have a variety of obligations to Alumina 
Limited and AWAC, the fulfilment of which depends on their 
financial position. Adverse changes to the financial position of 
Alcoa and its subsidiaries could result in such obligations not 
being met;

•  a  greater  outflow  of  aluminium  stocks  from  warehouses’ 

inventories could impact the world alumina market;

•  a sustained increase in the supply of cheap bauxite from Asia to 

China, could lower Chinese alumina production costs;

•  a  technology  breakthrough  could  lower  Chinese  alumina 

production costs.

•  Emerging competitors entering the alumina market may 
cause overcapacity in the industry which may result in AWAC 
losing sales. 

24 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬25 

3. REVIEW OF AWAC OPERATIONS

Since the beginning of this decade, AWAC has undergone business 
improvement  and  transformation,  which  have  significantly 
improved  the  competitiveness  of  its  portfolio  of  assets  in 
a global market. Industry fundamentals now also look to be 
improving through measures such as the China supply-side 
reforms. AWAC will continue to look for further opportunities 
of portfolio optimisation with emphasis on growth opportunities.

The current refining portfolio is comprised mostly of tier one 
assets that allows AWAC to generate returns during the highs 
and lows of the commodity cycle.

The significant improvement in AWAC’s 2017 earnings and cash 
generation was mainly due to higher realised prices for alumina.

In addition to consumption within its own refineries, AWAC’s 
bauxite resources in Australia, Brazil and Guinea are also able to 
cater for third party customers in both the Pacific and the Atlantic 
regions. A continuing focus on third party bauxite sales provides 
AWAC with an additional earnings stream that is expected to grow.

D
E
P
P
I
H
S
3
T
D
B
L
A
T
O
T
E
H
T
F
O
%
9
3
1

.

2.4%

16.4%

76.9%

46.8%

MINING1

Huntly &
Willowdale

97.6%

REFINING1

Pinjarra
Wagerup
Kwinana

PORTLAND & 
ALCOA SMELTERS
30.2%

Juruti

MRN2

CBG2

83.6%

Alumar

23.1%

53.2%

San
Ciprian

THIRD PARTY 
ALUMINA SALES
69.8%

I

S
E
L
A
S
E
T
X
U
A
B
Y
T
R
A
P
D
R
H
T

I

MINING HIGHLIGHTS:
• Third party sales from all AWAC operated mines

• Near completion of Juruti’s expansion to 5.7 million BDT
• WA infrastructure expansion underway

• CBG’s Phase 1 expansion underway

ALUMINA HIGHLIGHTS:
• Production records at three largest refineries:
  Pinjarra, Wagerup & Alumar

• Second best annual production result at San Ciprian

• Phase 1 debottlenecking project completed at Alumar

• Pinjarra press filtration project underway

AWAC operated asset

Non-AWAC operated asset

1Excludes Al Ba’itha mine and Ras Khair refinery  2AWAC equity share

3Bone dry tonnes (BDT)

2 4¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MINING

AWAC’s mining operations made significant progress in 2017 with third party bauxite sales from all mines for the first time and the 
near completion of Juruti’s capacity increase to 5.7 million BDT.

31 DEC 2017

31 DEC 2016

CHANGE

CHANGE (%)

AWAC operated mines

Production (million BDT)

Cash cost ($/BDT of bauxite produced)

Non-AWAC operated mines

38.8

11.1

37.5

9.8

1.3

1.3

AWAC equity share of production (million BDT)1

4.6

5.2

(0.6)

Third party sales

Shipments to third parties (million BDT)

Total third party revenue, inclusive of freight ($ million)

6.6

334.0

6.3

315.8

0.3

18.2

3.5

13.3

(11.5)

4.8

5.8

1  Based on the terms of its bauxite supply contracts, AWAC bauxite purchases from Mineração Rio do Norte S.A. (“MRN”) and Compagnie des Bauxites de 

Guinée (CBG) differ from their proportional equity in those mines.

AWAC OPERATED MINES

AWAC operated mines increased production for the year by 
3.5%. The growth in production was facilitated by creep at the 
Huntly and Willowdale mines in Western Australia and the near 
completed capacity increase of the Juruti mine to 5.7 million BDT. 
All AWAC operated mines achieved record production in 2017. 

Whilst production increased at Juruti, operations were affected by 
heavy rainfall in Brazil during the first half of 2017 and particularly 
by drought during the second half. Insufficient water levels in 
the tailings dam during the drought reduced the effectiveness of 
the beneficiation process (washing of bauxite to remove organic 
material), thus reducing bauxite quality for some shipments to 
the downstream Alumar refinery.

AWAC’s cash cost per BDT of bauxite produced increased by 
13.3% to $11.1 per BDT. Contributors to this increase included 
higher royalty costs at Australian mines, a weaker US dollar 
against the Australian dollar and Brazilian real, fleet overhaul 
costs and higher maintenance to address Juruti’s tailings dam 
and washing plant issues. 

The 2017 EBITDA margin for AWAC’s bauxite unit, which includes 
intersegment sales but excludes freight, was 38.2% (2016: 38.0%). 

Cash cost per BDT of bauxite produced

$1.0

$11.1

Bauxite production: change by mine (million BDT)

$9.8

$0.1

$0.2

–

0.4

38.8

0.9

37.5

2016

Huntly
& Willowdale

Juruti

2017

* Other includes: maintenance, contracted services, supplies, royalties and other

2016

Labor

Fuel

Energy

Other*

2017

* Other includes: maintenance, contracted services, supplies, royalties and other

During 2018, AWAC’s mining operations are expected to complete 
a further capacity increase of the Juruti mine to 6.5 million BDT 
per annum, and to continue to invest in infrastructure development 
to facilitate further exports from Western Australia.

26 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬27 

Non-AWAC Operated Mines 

Third Party Bauxite Sales 

AWAC’s share of production at the CBG mine in Guinea and the 
MRN mine in Brazil decreased by 11.5% compared to 2016. 

The CBG mine’s production was affected by civil unrest which 
caused disruptions to ancillary infrastructure supporting CBG. 
CBG continues with its expansion project which is expected to 
increase AWAC’s equity share of production by approximately 
1.1 million BDT per annum. 

The MRN mine was also exposed to weather events, experiencing 
similar issues as Juruti.

The equity income derived from CBG and MRN was $23.1 million 
(2016: $34.1 million),

AWAC’s shipments to third party customers increased by 4.8% 
to 6.6 million BDT in 2017. All AWAC mines (including CBG and 
MRN) shipped bauxite to third parties during 2017.

The geographical location of AWAC’s mines allows AWAC to 
service customers in the Atlantic and the Pacific regions.

AWAC continues to develop infrastructure in order to support 
export of bauxite from Western Australia to third party customers. 
In 2018 AWAC is expected to export up to 1.4 million BDT from 
Western Australia (2017: 0.8 million BDT).

Total  third  party  bauxite  sales  are  expected  to  decline  to 
6.3 million BDT in 2018 due to the expansion works at CBG which 
will be partially offset by increases from the Western Australian 
mines and Juruti.

REFINING

The refining operations achieved a significant increase in revenue and earnings through higher prices and a concentrated effort on 
operational excellence, which more than offset increases in input costs, the weaker US dollar, lower shipments and the operational 
issues at the Juruti mine.

31 DEC 2017

31 DEC 2016

CHANGE

CHANGE (%)

AWAC operated refineries

Shipments (million tonnes)

Production (million tonnes)

Average realised alumina price ($/tonne)

Platts FOB Australia - one month lag ($/tonne)

Cash cost per tonne of alumina produced

Margin1 ($/tonne)

Smelter  Grade  Alumina  (“SGA”)  shipments  on  spot  or 
index basis (%)

Ma’aden joint venture

Production (million tonnes)

AWAC’s share of production (million tonnes)

1  Calculated as average realised price less cash cost of production.

13.1

12.5

335

349

198

137

85

1.5

0.4

13.3

12.6

242

242

191

51

84

1.4

0.4

(0.2)

(0.1)

93

107

7

86

1

0.1

-

(1.5)

(0.8)

38

44

3.7

169

1.2

7.1

-

2 6¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 27 

AWAC OPERATED REFINERIES 

Production from AWAC operated refineries was 12.5 million 
tonnes, down 0.1 million tonnes compared to 2016. This was 
largely due to the curtailment of the Point Comfort refinery in 2016.

Alumina  shipments  for  2017  were  13.1  million  tonnes 
(2016: 13.3 million tonnes). The reduction in shipments is mainly 
attributable to the curtailment of the Point Comfort refinery.

Shipments during December 2017 were also affected by operating 
inefficiencies at the ship loading facilities at the Bunbury and San 
Ciprian ports, resulting in some shipments being deferred to 2018.

Alumina production: change by refinery (KT) 

12,644

(211)

16

(4)

8

12,453

2016

Point 
Comfort

Pinjarra
Wagerup
Kwinana

Alumar

San
Ciprian

2017

* Other includes: maintenance, contracted services, supplies, royalties and other

The 2017 average realised alumina price was $335 per tonne, a year 
on year improvement of $93 per tonne (38%). With approximately 
85% of shipments priced on spot or an index basis, AWAC was 
well positioned to capitalise on the steep upward price movement. 

By comparison, the cash cost per tonne of alumina produced 
increased by only 3.7% to $198 per tonne. Whilst the curtailment 
of Point Comfort improved the overall cash cost of production by 
$4 per tonne, there were unfavourable variances attributable to 
caustic soda, energy and other costs. 

Cash cost per tonne of Alumina produced

$1

$198

$8

$191

($4)

$2

2016

Point
Comfort

Energy

Caustic

Bauxite Conversion*

2017

* Conversion includes: employee costs, indirect costs and other raw material costs

Approximately 83% of the total caustic cost increase related to price. 
The rest of the cost increase is mainly attributable to the severe 
weather conditions in Brazil that affected the quality of the bauxite 
delivered to the Alumar refinery requiring more caustic usage. 

The rise in the price of caustic has been driven by supply and demand 
forces affecting the chlor-alkali industry. Due to its low reactive 
silica bauxite, AWAC is in a better position than many competitors 
to weather the rise in caustic prices.

The rise in energy costs was mainly due to the increase in the 
underlying oil reference price for the San Ciprian and Alumar 
refineries. This was partially offset by record low energy intensity 
achieved across the refining system.

Conversion costs rose because of increased maintenance at all 
refineries and the weaker US dollar.

Ma’aden Joint Venture

During 2017, the Ma’aden refinery produced 1.5 million tonnes of 
alumina (AWAC’s share of production was 0.4 million tonnes), 
representing a 7.1% improvement compared to 2016. In December, 
the Ma’aden refinery’s annualised run rate reached nameplate 
capacity (1.8 million tonnes per annum). In 2018, the Ma’aden 
refinery is expected to operate around its nameplate capacity, 
which should exceed the alumina needs of the adjoining smelter 
(1.5 million tonnes per annum), which is not an AWAC asset. 
The expected excess tonnes will be sold to third parties.

Equity losses relating to the Ma’aden joint venture reduced to 
$5 million (2016: $42.6 million). The improvement in performance 
is mainly attributable to higher alumina prices.

28 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬29 

PORTLAND 

The Portland smelter is AWAC’s only smelting operation.

AWAC’s 55% Equity Share

Production (thousand tonnes)

LME aluminium cash - 15 day lag ($/tonne)

EBITDA ($ million)

31 DEC 2017

31 DEC 2016

CHANGE

CHANGE (%)

112

1,950

(25.6)

154

1,596

5.5

(42)

354

(31.1)

(27)

22

(565)

Aluminium production decreased by 27% due to a power outage in December 2016.

In January 2017, Alcoa of Australia Limited signed agreements with the State and Federal governments to provide assistance for the 
purposes of restarting the Portland operations and maintaining production at the smelter over the next four years.

The smelter gradually rebuilt capacity throughout the year, reaching pre-outage production levels of approximately 167 thousand 
tonnes per year (AWAC’s equity share) in October 2017. 

4. AWAC FINANCIAL REVIEW

The improvement in AWAC’s net profit was largely due to higher realised alumina prices during 2017 which more than offset higher 
input costs and the weaker US dollar. Lower charges for significant items further assisted the results. 

The increases in income tax charges were driven by higher taxable income, particularly in AWAC’s Australian operations.

AWAC PROFIT AND LOSS (US GAAP)

Net profit after tax

Add back: Income tax charge

Add back: Depreciation and amortisation

Add back: Net interest

EBITDA

Add back: Significant items (pre-tax)

EBITDA excluding significant items

US$ MILLION

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2017

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2016

901.3

443.7

274.5

(2.6)

1,616.9

68.4

1,685.3

49.0

72.3

271.8

0.4

393.5

363.7

757.2

2 8¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 29 

AWAC’s net profit included the following significant items:

SIGNIFICANT ITEMS (US GAAP)

Suralco restructuring charges

Point Comfort restructuring charges

Gain on sale of interest in the Dampier Bunbury Gas Pipeline (DBNGP)

Impairment in an interest in a gas field in Western Australia

Portland impairment charge1

Other2 

Total significant items (pre-tax)

Total significant items (after-tax)

US$ MILLION

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2017

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2016

(8.3)

(48.6)

-

-

-

(11.5)

(68.4)

(65.7)

(132.8)

(31.0)

27.1 

(72.3)

(125.8)

(28.9)

(363.7)

(306.2) 

1  For US GAAP purposes the Portland impairment charge was fully recognised in 2016. For AAS, the charge was recognised over the period of two years, 2015 

and 2016. 

2  Other significant items in 2017 include net charges related to Point Henry and Anglesea restructuring, severance and redundancy payments (2016: net 

charges related to Point Henry and Anglesea restructuring, severance and redundancy payments and US GAAP pension adjustments).

AWAC BALANCE SHEET (US GAAP)

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Inventories

Property, plant & equipment

Other assets

Total Assets

Short term borrowings

Accounts payable

Taxes payable and deferred

Capital lease obligations & long term debt

Other liabilities

Total Liabilities

Equity

US$ MILLION

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2017

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2016

631.9

560.3

530.8

3,753.9

2,372.9

251.2

395.7

425.9

3,634.2

2,064.5

7,849.8

6,771.5

4.6

715.1

401.1

17.5

1,261.0

2,399.3

2.2

561.6

184.9

2.7

1,220.4

1,971.8

5,450.5

4,799.7

3 0 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬31 

The increase in the value of assets and liabilities includes the effect 
of the weaker US dollar against the Australian dollar at year-end.

The spike in alumina prices in the fourth quarter of 2017 resulted 
in higher cash and cash equivalents and receivables as at year-end.

The increase in inventory includes the effect of the higher input 
costs  (particularly  caustic  soda)  and  the  delayed  alumina 
shipments in December. 

The increase in property, plant and equipment was mainly due 
to foreign currency rate movement and growth projects such as 
the Juruti mine capacity increase.

Other assets increased mainly due to changes in the fair value of 
derivative assets associated with Portland’s hedging arrangements. 

The rise in taxes payable and deferred is mainly attributable to 
an increase in the taxable income for Australian operations and 
an increase in the deferred taxes associated with the Portland 
hedging arrangements. 

AWAC CASH FLOW (US GAAP)

Cash from operations

Capital contributions arising from the allocation agreement1

Capital contributions from partners

Net movement in borrowings

Capital expenditure

Proceeds from sale of 20% interest in the DBNGP

Other financing and investing activities2

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Cash flow before distributions

Distributions paid to partners

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

US$ MILLION

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2017

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2016

1,102.4

74.0

200.0

17.4

(26.2)

74.0

120.0

(8.0)

(191.6)

(129.9)

-

7.9

27.7

1,237.8

(857.1)

380.7

145.0

123.3

6.8

305.0

(585.6)

(280.6)

1  Contributions by Alcoa in accordance with the allocation agreement whereby Alcoa assumes an additional 25% equity share relating to the Alba 

settlement payment and costs.

2  Made up of changes to capital lease obligations, related party notes receivable and other.

Cash from operations in 2017 increased primarily due to higher 
average realised alumina prices. The 2016 cash from operations 
included the final instalment of $200 million paid for the 12-year 
Western Australia gas supply agreement.

In  2017,  sustaining  capital  expenditure  was  $146.0  million 
(2016: $121.1 million). The most significant expenditure was for 
the Pinjarra refinery where press filtration is currently being 
implemented. 

Consequently, distributions paid to partners increased to $857.1 
million. In the first two months of 2018, and in accordance with the 
distribution policy, AWAC has distributed a further $527 million.

Growth capital expenditure was $45.6 million. The largest growth 
project related to the expansion of the Juruti mine. 

3 0¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 31 

5. ALUMINA LIMITED FINANCIAL REVIEW

ALUMINA LIMITED PROFIT AND LOSS

Share of net profit of associates accounted for using the equity method

General and administrative expenses

Finance costs

Foreign exchange losses, tax and other

Profit/(loss) for the year after tax

Total significant items after tax

Net profit after tax excluding significant items

SIGNIFICANT ITEMS (IFRS, POST-TAX)

Suralco restructuring charges and deferred tax assets adjustment

Point Comfort restructuring charges

Portland impairment charge1

Impairment in an interest in a gas field in Western Australia

Gain on sale of interest in the DBNGP

Other (includes severance and redundancy charges)

Total significant items 

US$ MILLION

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2017

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2016

360.4

(13.6)

(8.3)

1.3

339.8

(23.3)

363.1

18.1

(25.7)

(9.1)

(13.5)

(30.2)

(114.9)

84.7

US$ MILLION

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2017

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2016

(2.2)

(19.5)

-

-

-

(1.6)

(23.3)

(57.5)

(12.4)

(24.7)

(20.2)

2.5

(2.6)

(114.9)

1  For US GAAP purposes the Portland impairment charge was fully recognised in 2016. For AAS, the charge was recognised over the period of two years 

2016 and 2015. 

The Company’s finance costs in 2017 included $1.1 million of 
charges related to the renegotiation of the syndicated bank 
facility. In 2016, finance costs included an interest expense 
adjustment of $2.6 million related to the step up in the fixed 
interest rate note’s coupon from 5.5% to 7.25% per annum that 
was triggered by a change in credit rating for Alumina Limited. 
Excluding the above costs, the 2017 finance costs were marginally 
higher than 2016, reflecting higher interest rates and higher use 
of facilities throughout the year.

Alumina Limited recorded a net profit after tax of $339.8 million 
compared to a loss of $30.2 million in 2016. 

The increase in net profit was largely due to AWAC’s higher 
average  realised  alumina  price  and  lower  net  charges  for 
significant items which were partially offset by AWAC’s higher 
production costs and an unfavourable movement in the US dollar 
against the Brazilian real and the Australian dollar.

Excluding significant items, net profit would have been $363.1 
million (2016: $84.7 million).

General and administrative expenses in 2017 includes $1.0 million 
associated with the previous CEO’s retirement on 31 May 2017 
and $0.4 million of costs from the Company’s actions in relation 
to Alcoa’s corporate separation (2016: $14.0 million). Excluding 
these costs, 2017 general and administrative expenses were 
marginally higher than 2016. 

3 2¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬33 

ALUMINA LIMITED BALANCE SHEET

Cash and cash equivalents

Investment in associates

Other assets

Total assets

Payables

Interest bearing liabilities – non-current

Other liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

US$ MILLION

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2017

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2016

40.0

8.6

2,301.0

2,106.0

1.9

3.2

2,342.9

2,117.8

1.3

98.4

9.2

108.9

1.3

92.4

17.2

110.9

2,234.0

2,006.9

The rise in investments in associates was due to AWAC’s improved 
operating  performance  and  foreign  currency  balance  sheet 
revaluations, partially offset by AWAC’s increased distributions. 

Alumina Limited’s net debt as at 31 December 2017 was 
$58.4 million.

Alumina Limited has $250 million of committed bank facilities 
which expire as follows:

•  $150 million in July 2020 (no amounts drawn under these 

facilities as at 31 December 2017).

•  $100 million in October 2022 (no amounts drawn under 

these facilities as at 31 December 2017).

In  addition  to  the  bank  facilities,  Alumina  Limited  has  an 
A$125 million face value fixed rate note on issue which matures on 
19 November 2019.

ALUMINA LIMITED CASH FLOW

Dividends received

Distributions received

Net finance costs paid

Payments to suppliers and employees

GST refund & other

Cash from operations

Net (payments)/receipts – investments in associates

Free cash flow1

1  Free cash flow calculated as cash from operations less net investments in associates.

US$ MILLION

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2017

YEAR ENDED
31 DEC 2016

278.1

1.2

(8.6)

(12.1)

0.9

259.5

(16.2)

243.3

150.2

0.7

(5.7)

(26.3)

1.1

120.0

33.9

153.9

3 2¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 33 

Alumina Limited’s free cash flow is comprised of the net capital, 
dividends and income distributions received from AWAC entities 
offset by the Company’s general, administrative and finance costs.

Alumina Limited’s total receipts from AWAC during 2017 were 
$343.1 million compared to $232.8 million in 2016.

Alumina Limited’s cash contributions to AWAC during 2017 were 
$80.0 million (2016: $48.0 million). 

Contributions invested in 2017 were mainly to support one 
AWAC entity’s purchases of alumina on a spot basis from other 
AWAC entities in order to meet its long term customer supply 
commitments which are on different pricing mechanisms.

Higher cash finance costs reflect the note’s increased coupon rate 
following the changes in the Company’s credit rating.

As a result, free cash flow was $89.4 million higher in 2017 
compared to 2016.

Alumina Limited’s dividend policy is based on distributing the 
free cash up until the date of declaration by the Directors of the 
Company. Since 31 December 2017, the Company’s net receipts 
from AWAC were $198 million which are included in the 9.3 cents 
per share 2017 final dividend paid on 15 March 2018. 

6. MARKET OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE 

ALUMINA 

Global demand for alumina increased by 7% in 2017.  China’s 
aluminium production growth is forecast to be lower in 2018 due 
to curtailments and closures of smelting capacity as a result of 
environmental and supply-side reform policies. Nevertheless, 
demand for metallurgical alumina is expected to grow by over 
4% globally with a significant increase in aluminium production 
outside China, particularly in India and the Middle East. Increases 
in demand for metallurgical alumina outstripped growth in supply 
which was largely restricted to China. Modest increases in alumina 
production occurred mainly in Indonesia, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. 

In 2018, further alumina will be produced from the Ma’aden/
AWAC Ras Al Khair refinery in Saudi Arabia which is ramping up 
and has recently operated at its full 1.8 million tonne nameplate 
capacity. This refinery is expected to operate in the lowest cash 
cost quartile. 

Also, extra alumina production is expected from the re-started 
Alpart refinery in Jamaica. Towards the end of 2018, EGA’s 
Shaheen refinery in the UAE is forecast to start producing alumina. 
There are other potential greenfields and brownfields refinery 
projects around the world, some of which may proceed to meet 
the expected increase in demand in the Americas, India and the 
Middle East.

In  2017,  the  Chinese  Central  and  Regional  governments 
implemented policies to reduce pollution by mandating significant 
curtailments in alumina, aluminium and carbon production in 
selected cities during the 2017/18 winter heating season. The 
curtailments started around November 2017 and continue until 
March 2018. These policies required the curtailment of 30 percent 

of China’s alumina and aluminium production in the selected 
cities. There have also been a number of Chinese Government 
environmental audits in 2017 which have led to reduction in 
bauxite and alumina production. Some provinces cut production 
at different rates and the final cuts, which will be measured in low 
pollution days in winter, are yet to be ascertained.

However, the reduction in aluminium production in Shandong 
was less than initially expected, as cuts to unauthorised smelting 
capacity were able to be treated as winter curtailments. It is 
expected that the central Government will repeat the winter cuts 
policy at the end of 2018 and could either strengthen or relax 
the required curtailments, depending on the overall air quality 
improvement achieved over the 2017/2018 winter.

The Government also introduced supply-side reforms in 2017 
to consolidate and reduce inefficient or obsolete capacity in 
the aluminium and other industries. This has led initially to the 
curtailment of a significant volume of smelting capacity built 
without authorisation. A scheme has been introduced which 
allows companies to obtain replacement quotas authorising 
additional capacity. This is expected to add a limited volume of 
Chinese smelting capacity coming online during 2018 and 2019. 

Alumina supply and demand is expected to continue to grow and 
remain reasonably balanced over the next 5 years, and should 
underpin price support.

BAUXITE 

China imported over 67 million tonnes of bauxite in 2017, including 
a record high estimated at approximately 7 million tonnes in 
December. The majority of imports came from Guinea and 
Australia, two countries in which AWAC has strong bauxite 
interests. Other countries supplying China included Malaysia, 
Indonesia, India and Brazil. The Pahang Government in Malaysia 
has extended its mining ban into 2018. Indonesia has relaxed its 
bauxite export ban and modest export volumes have commenced. 
Guinea and Australia are expected to continue solid supply to 
China. 

Third party bauxite prices increased particularly in the last quarter 
of 2017 due to supply disruptions inside and outside China. Further 
bauxite supply is expected to be added in 2018 and the third 
party market is expected to be well supplied in 2018. However, 
the Chinese Government’s recent environmental focus in China 
is restricting bauxite production. Also, environmental constraints 
in China are expected to cause refiners to locate new capacity on 
the coast in relatively decentralised provinces and use imported 
bauxite. These factors are expected, in the short to medium term, 
to accelerate the increase in demand for imported bauxite into 
China, which had been seen as a likely step-change expected 
around 2021, as Chinese domestic bauxite quality depletes. 

Bauxite is expected to remain in ample supply during 2018.

3 4¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬35 

AWAC GUIDANCE

The following 2018 guidance is provided to assist the understanding of the sensitivity of AWAC results to key external factors. The 
guidance cannot be expected to be predictive of exact results; rather it provides direction and approximate quantum of the impact 
on AWAC results. Sensitivity of each element of the guidance has been considered in isolation and no correlation with movements 
in other elements within the guidance has been made.

ITEM

Production – alumina

Production – aluminium

Third party bauxite sales 

Alumina Price Index sensitivity1: +$10/t

Caustic price sensitivity: +$100/dry metric tonne

Australian $ Sensitivity: + 1¢ USD/AUD

Brazilian $ Sensitivity: + 1¢ BRL/USD

2018 GUIDANCE

Approximately 12.7 million tonnes

Approximately 164,000 tonnes

Approximately 6.3 million BD tonnes

Approximately +$110 million EBITDA

Approximately -$90 million EBITDA

Approximately -$20 million EBITDA

Minimal impact

SGA shipments expected to be based on alumina price indices or spot

Approximately 92% for the year

AWAC sustaining capital expenditure 

AWAC growth capital expenditure 

AWAC Point Comfort after tax restructuring2
Charges (IFRS)
Cash Flows

AWAC Suralco after tax restructuring2
Charges (IFRS)
Cash Flows

AWAC Point Henry and Anglesea after tax restructuring2
Charges (IFRS)
Cash Flows

1  Excludes equity accounted income/losses for the Ma’aden joint venture.
2  Ongoing costs will be recognised in future financial years relating to the curtailments and closures. 

Approximately $180 million

Approximately $80 million

Approximately $40 million
Approximately $40 million

Approximately $10 million
Approximately $50 million

Approximately $1 million
Approximately $30 million

ALUMINA LIMITED GUIDANCE

The financial results of Alumina Limited are dependent upon 
AWAC’s operational performance and profitability, and the ability 
of Alumina Limited to influence the performance of AWAC to 
ensure that the Company’s interests are protected. Alumina 
Limited’s objectives are to achieve the position where AWAC 
is sustainable in the long term, that it has adequate governance 
procedures in place, and that long term capital allocation is 
implemented to maximise AWAC’s returns.

Alumina Limited’s expectations for cash receipts from AWAC in 
2018 are that total receipts by Alumina Limited should exceed 
its corporate needs.

In 2018, Alumina Limited anticipates there could be equity calls 
by AWAC entities in relation to working capital support. However, 
this is subject to market conditions.

3 4¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 35 

Letter by Chair of the Compensation Committee

Dear Shareholders, 

It gives me pleasure to write to you on Alumina's 2017 remuneration report 
and decisions in the context of the company’s performance, achievements  
and developments. 

2017 COMPANY PERFORMANCE

Alumina Limited (Alumina) performed strongly in 2017 recording 
a net profit of $340 million. Alumina’s financial performance 
reflected the underlying strengths of AWAC’s Tier 1 assets and 
improved commodity prices. Continued work by Alcoa and 
Alumina, including difficult decisions made in recent years during 
the commodity cycle, have improved the asset portfolio. Following 
the changes to the AWAC joint venture secured in 2016, Alumina 
senior executives continue to work on additional strategies to 
optimise shareholder outcomes. 

2017 REMUNERATION OUTCOMES 

BASE PAY 

After  consideration  of  market  and  sector  trends,  company 
performance  and  the  broader  trading  environment,  Key 
Management Personnel (KMP) base salaries were increased by 
2.5 per cent in line with the increase applicable to all staff (2016 nil). 

STI OUTCOMES

In line with this strong company performance, I am pleased to 
report overall performance against the corporate and personal 
scorecards  of  each  executive  was  measured  at  an  average 
scorecard performance of 90 percent of target. This yielded 
STIs in the range of 70 per cent of maximum delivering a total 
value of $924,653 to executives*.

The Board applies a rigorous approach to assessing final STI awards 
and consideration was given to the revised AWAC agreements 
impact on distributions and debt financing that were given effect 
in 2017 and a variety of strategic initiatives and joint venture 
matters that were progressed. 

LTI OUTCOMES 

It was satisfying to see the Company’s share price performed well 
versus other major Australian and international industry peers, 
resulting in vesting through our LTI Plan. The Company’s total 
shareholder return was 41.9 per cent in 2017 and 51.19 per cent 
over the previous three years. The amount of dividends distributed 
to Alumina shareholders increased from US6 cents per share in 

2016 to US13.5 cents per share in 2017. Approximately 420,000 
shares worth $1.012 million were vested to the senior team in 2017 
under the LTI Plan.**

Further  detail  on  company  performance  and  remuneration 
outcomes is set out in 43 of the report.

NEW CEO REMUNERATION STRUCTURE

In 2017, Alumina appointed a new CEO, Mike Ferraro, to succeed 
Peter Wasow who led the successful joint venture renegotiation. 
Mike Ferraro brings an extensive range of relevant skills and 
commercial experience to help deliver on Alumina’s strategic 
objectives.

The CEO succession presented the Board with the timely opportunity 
to reassess the incoming CEO’s remuneration structure in the 
context of the company’s present circumstance. 

The Board reconsidered the structure of the CEO’s remuneration 
given the unique nature of the Company, the cyclicality of the 
industry, the requirements of this critical leadership role in creating 
long term shareholder value, and the skills and experience necessary 
for the role. As a result, the Board decided to evolve further the 
structure of the CEO’s remuneration - specifically to increase 
the proportion of equity based pay by increasing the quantum of 
conditional rights, to cease the annual STI scorecard based award 
and, to maintain the LTI. At the same time, the Board considered 
and maintained its discipline of setting overall level of remuneration 
at modest levels (lowest quartile) together with a structure that 
ensures an upswing in the commodity cycle does not generate 
excessive rewards. 

Further detail on the CEO’s new remuneration structure is set out 
on page 42.

* 2017’s STI payments were down by approximately $985,000 compared with 
2016 (in which two executives received enhanced payments to reflect their 
considerable achievements in the JV transformation and renegotiation). 2017 
STI (and 2016) payments included the former CEO & other Key Management 
Personnel (KMP).

** Alumina Limited’s LTI plan uses share value at vesting date.

3 6¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬37 

OTHER REMUNERATION CHANGES IN 2017 

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FEES

As  foreshadowed  in  the  2016  remuneration  report,  the 
Compensation Committee had an independent review undertaken 
of Non-Executive director fees during the year. As a result of 
the review: 

•  NED base fees remain unchanged (since 2011) as they are 
considered competitive to attract appropriately qualified and 
skilled NEDs to the Alumina Board, 

•  The  review  revealed  that  Chairman  and  Audit  &  Risk  and 
Compensation Committee Chairs’ fees had fallen below market, 
and did not reflect current workloads with the changes to 
the joint venture and resultant new relationships. The Board, 
therefore, resolved to increase fees for the Chairman and the 
fees for chairing these two committees. Further detail is set 
out on page 60 of the report. 

In closing, I am pleased that the 2017 work of the Compensation 
Committee supported the important task of CEO succession, 
evolving remuneration structures and making sound remuneration 
decisions aligned with Alumina’s investment proposition and 
experience of shareholders, Alumina’s role in the AWAC joint 
venture and the governance principles established by the Board. 

We appreciate the dialogue we have on this remuneration report 
and continue to welcome feedback.

Emma Stein Chair 
 —

3 6¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 37 

Remuneration Report

This Remuneration Report outlines the Director and executive remuneration 
arrangements of Alumina Limited. The information provided is given in accordance 
with the requirements of the Corporations Act and has been audited. This report 
forms part of the Directors’ Report for the year ended 31 December 2017.

All contracts for key management personnel (KMP) are denominated in Australian 
dollars and accordingly all figures in the Remuneration Report are in Australian dollars 
unless otherwise shown. References to Senior Executives exclude the Chief Executive 
Officer (CEO).

CONTENTS

The Remuneration Report is presented in the following sections:

1 

1.1 

1.2 

REMUNERATION POLICY & FRAMEWORK 

Persons covered by this report 

Remuneration framework 

1.2.1 

Remuneration in business context 

1.2.2  Remuneration Components 

1.2.3 

 CEO and Senior Executives remuneration mix and comparables 

2  

2.1 

 COMPANY PERFORMANCE & EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION OUTCOMES 

Remuneration decisions and outcomes for 2017 

2.1.1 

Performance under the STI  

2.1.2  Performance under the LTI Plan 

2.1.3 

 Alumina Limited’s Remuneration Governance Framework 

2.1.4  Other Remuneration matters 

2.2 

2.3 

Senior Executive remuneration  

 Executive KMP remuneration and equity granted in 2017 

2.3.1 

Executives’ Service Agreements  

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION 

Remuneration outcomes 

Non–Executive Director share holdings 

3  

3.1 

3.2 

3 8 ¬

39

39

39

39

40 

42

43

45

46

48

48

49

50

52

59

60

60

61

1. REMUNERATION POLICY & FRAMEWORK

1.1 PERSONS COVERED BY THIS REPORT

This report covers remuneration arrangements and outcomes for the following key management personnel of Alumina Limited:

NAME

ROLE

Non-Executive Directors

John Pizzey

Non-Executive Chairman

Appointed Chairman 1 December 2011 
(director since 8 June 2007)

Emma Stein

Chen Zeng

Peter Day

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 3 February 2011

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 15 March 2013

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 1 January 2014

Deborah O'Toole

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 1 December 2017

Mike Ferraro

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 5 February 2014 to 31 May 2017

Executive Director

Peter Wasow

Mike Ferraro

Other KMP

Chris Thiris

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

CEO from 1 January 2014 to 31 May 2017

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Appointed CEO from 1 June 2017

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Appointed 13 December 2011

General Counsel/Company Secretary

Appointed 4 December 2002

Group Executive Strategy & 
Development

Employed 1 September 2008

1.2 REMUNERATION FRAMEWORK

1.2.1 REMUNERATION IN BUSINESS CONTEXT

Alumina Limited’s remuneration strategy and policy has been 
developed in recognition of the unique nature of the Company, 
the complexities of managing a significant but non-controlling 
interest in a global joint venture and the significance of external 
factors’ influence on the sector and the Company’s performance. 

Alumina Limited owns a 40 per cent interest in the multi-billion 
dollar global enterprise, AWAC, one of the world’s largest bauxite 
and  alumina  producers.  AWAC  is  a  large  capital-intensive 
business operating in a number of jurisdictions and some in 
remote locations. Alumina Limited’s executives are responsible for 
protecting and advancing the interests of its 49,000 shareholders 
in the management of AWAC. Consistent with the governing 
joint venture Agreements, Alumina executives are responsible 
for providing strategic input and advice into the joint venture. 
To do so, they are required to have a deep understanding of the 
complex trends and drivers of the global bauxite, aluminium and 
volatile alumina industry. 

At the Board’s direction, the CEO and Senior Executives are 
required to maintain Alumina Limited’s financial metrics consistent 
with an investment grade rating, maximize cash flow from AWAC 
and support the joint venture in its efforts to improve its relative 
cost position and strategic options. 

The latter responsibilities rest with a small team of four key 
executive officers. Alumina Limited requires and must retain, high 
calibre people with strong skills sets and commercial experience 
to ensure the Company and its investment are managed well. 
They are charged with:-

•  Shaping AWAC’s strategy, competitive position and options

•  Maximizing cash flow from AWAC and metrics in a highly 

cyclical industry

•  Managing Alumina Limited’s investment as a tier one largely 

pure play global bauxite and alumina producer

•  Building effective working relationships with Alcoa, our joint 

venture partner and asset operator. 

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 39 

More detail on the ‘at risk’ and equity remuneration components 
and their link to company performance is included in section 2 
of this report.

1.2.2 REMUNERATION COMPONENTS

The  following  table  sets  out  the  different  components  of 
remuneration for the CEO and Senior Executives, the performance 
measures  used  to  determine  the  amount  of  remuneration 
executives will receive and how the performance measures drive 
achievement of Alumina Limited’s strategic objectives.

To support the delivery of the business strategy, Alumina Limited's 
remuneration strategy has been designed to attract and retain 
executives who are highly commercial, strategic and have tactical 
experience. Hence, Alumina Limited's remuneration needs to be 
competitive, valued and relevant. The Board aims to:- 

•  Aid  alignment  between  Company,  executive  and  board 
and stakeholder interests – as discussed below, the CEO’s 
remuneration is equity exposed (through the Conditional Rights 
component and his incentive through the LTI scheme which 
requires relative outperformance). Other Executive KMPs 
(excluding Mr Wood) are required to reinvest half of any short 
term incentive payments into equity and Alumina Limited has 
a minimum shareholding policy for Non-Executive Directors.

•  Ensure remuneration structures are relevant to roles – At 

Alumina Limited, executives’ performance is directed 
towards delivery of strategic, corporate and commercial 
objectives and initiatives with longer term outcomes. When 
compared with peers, financial metrics have less prominence 
in short term incentives to ensure that executive rewards 
do not peak merely because commodities are at the ‘top of 
cycle’. 

•  Appropriately positioned and structured – For the CEO, 

the quantum of his overall remuneration, Conditional Rights 
and LTI have all been set to produce outcomes with less 
upside compared with operating company peers but with, 
none the less, “skin in the game” and upside from longer 
term value creation.

40 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬41 

TABLE 1 – COMPONENTS OF EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION

COMPONENT

DELIVERED VIA:

PERFORMANCE MEASURE

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

Fixed Remuneration (FAR)

 Cash 

Equity based award 
(CEO only)

Conditional 
Rights 

Short Term Incentive (STI), 
Executive KMP other than 
the CEO 

A mix of cash and 
equity (shares) 
for the CFO and 
General Counsel) 
and cash for 
Mr Wood. 

Long-term Incentive Plan 
(LTI), All Executive KMP 

Equity in  
the form of 
performance 
rights 

Considerations:
•  Individual’s role and responsibilities
•  Depth of knowledge and skill set
•  Level of expertise and effectiveness
•  Market benchmarking

Conditional on length and continuity 
of service and value linked directly to 
the performance of the Company's 
share price

Corporate Scorecard  
(50% of STI Award)

Minimum Performance Threshold

To trigger payment under the 
Corporate Scorecard, a minimum 
threshold of performance is required 
being:
• The achievement of a profit before 

significant items; and

•  declare dividends which provide  
a minimum yield of three per cent 
based on annual VWAP

Financial objectives based on 
controllable metrics:
•  Free Cash flow
•  Consistent with investment rating

Strategic and individual objectives

Secure, retain and motivate a highly skilled 
and experienced executive team.

•  Align the CEO’s remuneration with the 

experience of shareholders

This reinforces discipline in financial 
management and goal setting also 
providing determinable outcomes that 
are linked to the Company’s performance.

•  Cash flow from AWAC is fundamental 
to Alumina Limited’s capacity to pay 
dividends and to meet the terms of 
external financing.

•  A sound balance sheet with key banking 
relationships is critical to the Company’s 
strength, stability and future success.

•  Aligned to strategic and growth objectives.
•  Improve long-term cost curve positioning 

and strategic options to develop the 
business.

•   Protect Alumina Limited’s interests 
through increased clarity on AWAC 
governance.

•  Ensuring Alcoa treats AWAC transactions 
at arm’s length and Alumina Limited’s 
shareholders’ interests are protected in 
short and long term.

Personal Scorecard  
(50% of STI Award)

Implementation of business initiatives 
for which individual executives have 
defined accountabilities.

•  Delivery on commercial and financial 

projects that aid AWAC’s and Alumina 
Limited’s performance and attribute costs 
fairly to the equity owners

Relative TSRs, Three year Company 
TSR performance equal to or 
outperforming 50 per cent of the two 
comparator groups results (half of the 
LTI is attributable to each group).
•  A result below 50 per cent for a 

group will not result in an award of 
equity to the Company participants 
for that half of the LTI.

•  Emphasises the importance for 

management to strive to maintain the 
share price through the volatility involved 
in a capital intensive business heavily 
impacted by external factors.

•  Linked to long-term business strategy and 
focuses executives on key performance 
drivers for sustainable growth.

•  Links rewards of participants in the LTI 

plan to the experience of the shareholders.

40 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 41 

1.2.3  CEO AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES REMUNERATION 
MIX AND COMPARABLES 

Alumina Limited resolved to structure the CEO’s remuneration 
components as follows:

Remuneration Mix Overview

The  intent  of  the  CEO  and  Senior  Executives  remuneration 
arrangements is shared, that is to remunerate fairly and to attract 
and retain appropriately skilled and experienced staff and also 
provide incentive to individuals to drive shareholder wealth in their 
various roles. However, there are differences in the structures 
and relativities. 

In setting the CEO and Senior Executive remuneration quantum 
and  mix,  the  Board  takes  into  account  a  number  of  factors 
including: 

•  The scope of the individual’s role

•  Their skills and experience

•  Role-critical factors

•  Company performance 

•  External market practice.

CEO Remuneration structure

As  previously  mentioned,  the  Board  instituted  changes  to 
remuneration components of the CEO’s 2017 remuneration package 
which is structured differently to the profile of the previous CEO. 
However, in terms of overall potential quantum, there is little change.

The Board reconsidered which remuneration elements most aligned 
with the role of the CEO at Alumina Limited and the skills and 
experience of the individual who was appointed. The aspects 
considered most important centred on strategic influence, long 
term value creation, joint-venture and industry relationships, 
identification of portfolio opportunities and leadership skills. An 
annual award based on a scorecard assessment was thought to 
be less meaningful at CEO level but a greater proportion of equity 
exposure within overall remuneration was thought to be more 
meaningful and reflective of the CEO performance. As well the 
Board wished to maintain positioning in the lowest quartile and 
ensure upswings in the cycle don’t generate excessive remuneration 
rewards. The decision to remove the STI also aligns with Alumina 
Limited’s remuneration strategy, in particular to have lower levels 
of maximum short term incentives when compared with peers.

The Board continues to set specific objectives for the CEO including 
for example strategic initiatives, asset portfolio enhancements, and 
other leadership matters. Typically some of these objectives relate 
to the year ahead, whereas others may take longer to achieve with 
specific milestones sought in the year ahead. Progress is reviewed 
formally quarterly and at the end of the year. This process provides 
the Board with a basis to assess and discuss CEO performance 
in the short term. Also, and importantly, it provides a basis to 
ensure that the Board and CEO are aligned on priorities that will 
underpin long term shareholder value creation. While the CEO 
does not have any STI remuneration linked to the achievement of 
annual performance objectives, it ensures the Board has a formal 
transparent mechanism to measure, and hold the CEO accountable, 
for performance.

A  fixed  cash  remuneration  component  of  $1,275,000 
plus an: 

% of potential total
remuneration

FAR 60%

CEO

Conditional Rights 19%

Restriction period

LTI Performance Rights 21%

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

h
s
a
C

y
t
i
u
q
E

•  Equity component that is variable in value contingent on the 
share price performance of Alumina Limited and delivered 
via conditional rights valued at $400,000 at the time of the 
grant. This component of the CEO’s pay has a three year 
trading restriction imposed and is therefore at risk to share 
price fluctuations, in line with the experience of shareholders. 

•  Equity component contingent on the Company’s TSR 

performance against comparator group companies and is 
delivered in performance rights valued at $450,000 at the 
time of the grant, with a 3 year performance period. This 
reinforces the remuneration policy that the CEO acts in the 
longer term interests of the Company and its shareholders

The restructuring of the CEO’s remuneration to include conditional 
rights, coupled with the LTI opportunity results in a total of 40 per 
cent of the CEO’s total opportunity remuneration being variable 
to share price fluctuations.

The Board is satisfied that the CEO’s target remuneration is 
appropriate to attract, retain and motivate a high calibre, and 
with appropriate skill-set CEO. The revised CEO remuneration 
package was validated through external benchmarking. 

A market comparison was conducted against the CEO remuneration 
of the ASX51-100, the Company’s preferred comparator group 
that  comprises  companies  with  a  market  capitalisation  of 
approximately 70% to 150% of Alumina Limited. Relative to 
this comparator group, the CEO’s total reward opportunity was 
a modest 4th percentile. Compared to the ASX51-75 comparator 
group the CEO’s total reward ranked as the lowest. 

The CEO’s FAR quantum at $1,275,000 positions him at the 34th 
percentile of the ASX51-100 comparator group and at the 19th 
percentile of the ASX51-75 comparator group which the Board 
is satisfied reflects an appropriate quantum for the CEO of a 
non-operating entity such as Alumina Limited.

42 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬43 

Senior Executive (other than the CEO) remuneration structure

The remuneration structures for other senior executives remains 
unchanged, consistent with their existing employment contracts. 
The remuneration structure for the senior executives (other than 
the CEO) includes:

•  Fixed remuneration delivered in cash

•  STI component based on annual performance scorecard, of 

which half is reinvested through share purchase

•  An LTI component delivered in performance rights with a 3 

year performance period. 

Senior Executive1 2017 remuneration structure

% of potential total
remuneration

FAR 48%

STI 33% (Cash)

STI 

(via shares) 

Retention Period

LTI Performance Rights 19%

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

h
s
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y
t
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q
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The STI component for the senior executives, (excluding the CEO) 
is considered appropriate providing the CEO with a management 
tool to set annual priorities in the context of the Company’s 
longer term strategic plans, reinforced through the attachment 
of an incentive.

Further details of the STIs paid to the company’s senior team, 
over time, are shown in the graph below which plots these against 
Alumina Limited's dividends and share price. Table 7 provides a 
comparison between 2016 and 2017 STI payments.

1  Mr Wood’s remuneration mix differs from the other senior executives. 
His maximum potential award is FAR 55%, STI 28% and LTI 17%. Mr 
Wood’s STI is received in cash only.

2. COMPANY PERFORMANCE & EXECUTIVE 
REMUNERATION OUTCOMES

In terms of financial performance, 2017 has been a very positive 
year for Alumina Limited and the AWAC business. Alumina Limited 
and AWAC benefited from improved industry fundamentals that 
saw the spot price for alumina reach $484 per tonne and an 
average realised price of $335 for the year compared to $242 
in 2016. This uptick in prices contributed to a profit for Alumina 
Limited of $340m for 2017.

The diagrams that follow highlight Alumina Limited’s performance 
against market indicators.

As outlined in Alumina Limited’s 2016 Annual Report, a number of 
transformational changes were made to the AWAC agreements 
following lengthy negotiations by management. In 2017, tangible 
benefits from those negotiations are apparent. AWAC’s funding 
structure is now more efficient utilising debt for growth projects 
rather than solely equity (within certain limits) and there was 
improved certainty of cash flows by way of distributions to 
Alumina Limited from AWAC. These positive changes are a 
direct result of management action and have contributed to the 
Company’s ability to declare increased dividends to shareholders.

Also, Alumina Limited sought to build on the transformational 
outcomes flowing from the 2016 changes to the joint venture 
agreements and the largely complete repositioning of the AWAC 
asset portfolio. AWAC’s tier one assets generated their best 
returns for several years due to their low cost position and 
efficiency gains that resulted in production records.

Within Alumina Limited, a series of objectives were formulated 
for 2017. A priority was to improve AWAC cash distributions in 
2017. Flowing from the transformational change to the AWAC 
joint venture, arrangements to maximise cash distributions to 
partners and minimise equity calls were implemented. The change 
to the AWAC joint venture also included some funding of growth 
projects by debt. Maximising the amount of this financing was 
achieved in 2017 which is beneficial to Alumina Limited.

It was also important to maintain key financial metrics consistent 
with an investment grade credit rating. Following consultation 
between management and S&P, the Company’s rating increased and 
Alumina Limited is now one notch from reaching investment grade.

Following the substantial completion of the restructuring of 
the AWAC asset portfolio, it was important to examine the 
strategy of the business in the context of industry trends and 
development. Alumina Limited’s management provided Alcoa 
with, and contributed to, options to capture synergies in various 
alumina and bauxite assets. The options are being explored.

The  diagrams  that  follow  highlight  Alumina  Limited’s  2017 
performance against market indicators.

42 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 43 

 
Alumina Limited 2017 TSR compared to ASX indices1

5 year dividend and percentage STI award history

150

140

130

120

110

100

E
G
N
A
H
C
E
G
A
T
N
E
C
R
E
P

90

80

Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Jun

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Alumina Ltd. TSR (incl. franking credits)
ASX100 Accumulation Index
ASX200 Materials Accumulation Index

E
R
A
H
S
/
S
T
N
E
C
S
U

14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Dividend
% Target STI
Percentage awarded compared to potential

Alumina Limited 2017 share price performance 
compared to ASX indices2

5 year share price and percentage LTI award history

140

130

120

110

100

90

80

E
G
N
A
H
C
E
G
A
T
N
E
C
R
E
P

Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Jun

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Alumina Ltd. 
All Ordinaries Index
ASX200 Materials Index

ASX300 Metals and Mining Index
ASX100 Index

3
2.5

2

1.5

1

E
R
A
H
S
/
$
U
A

0.5

0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Share Price
% LTI

180
150

120

90

60

30

0

E
G
A
T
N
E
C
R
E
P

E
G
A
T
N
E
C
R
E
P

120
100

80

60

40

20

0

1  Accumulation indices were used to take into account dividends and both growth and dividend income.
2  Non accumulation  indices do not take dividends into account and measure price growth only.

REMUNERATION INDICATORS

REMUNERATION INDICATORS

Per cent increase in fixed remuneration1

Per cent short-term incentive2

Per cent long-term incentive2

20173

2.50%

33%

32%

2016

Nil

64%

23%

2015

2014

2013

3.50%

3.00%

3.80%

38%

23%

40%

10%

22%

8%

1  Percentage is calculated by reference to FAR as at 31 December in the stated financial year relative to FAR as at 31 December in the immediately preceding 

financial year.

2  Represents the percent of total 'at risk' incentive component compared to the total FAR applicable to Senior Executives and the CEO.
3    In 2017, the calculation excludes FAR of Mr Ferraro for whom no STI is applicable and the termination payment for Mr Wasow.

44 ¬

 
 
 
2.1 REMUNERATION DECISIONS AND OUTCOMES FOR 2017

FIXED REMUNERATION

2017 OUTCOMES

SHORT TERM INCENTIVE

2017 OUTCOMES

The fixed remuneration for the Senior Executives (excluding the CEO) increased in 2017 by 2.5%. 
This was the lower end of the forecast increase for the resources sector.

The CEO's fixed remuneration was reviewed on appointment and details are set out in section 1.2.3.

50 percent of the STI is assessed against a Corporate Scorecard of objectives and 50 per cent against 
a Personal Scorecard of objectives.

Executives achieved on average 70 per cent of maximum STI. The total percentage paid against the target 
STI varied between 89–91% of the target level. 

For a detailed performance against the Corporate and Personal Scorecard see pages 46 and 47.

LONG TERM INCENTIVE

2017 OUTCOME

Rights granted In 2015 Performance Rights were tested in 2017 
(testing period December 2014 to December 2017).

As a result of Alumina Limited's percentile performance against the ASX Comparator group, 52.38 per cent 
of the potential entitlement vested. In relation to the International Comparator Group, Alumina Limited's 
performance resulted in 96.58 per cent of the potential entitlement vesting. Table 8 indicates the number 
of shares that vested under the LTI. 

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 45 

2.1.1 PERFORMANCE UNDER THE STI PLAN

Tables 3 and 4 below provide a summary assessment of performance against STI performance measures for 2017. 

TABLE 3 – CORPORATE SCORECARD – 50% OF POTENTIAL STI AWARD

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

PERFORMANCE RESULT AND ASSESSMENT 

Financial objective – Maximising cash flow under the joint 
venture agreements 
(20% weighting)

Financial objective – Maintain key financial metrics consistent 
with investment grade credit rating:
(i) Funds from operations/debt >5%
(ii) Debt / EBITDA<2 times
(10% weighting)

Strategic objective – Strategic review to progress alternative 
corporate strategies 
(15% weighting)

At target 
Distributions of US$343.1 million received during 2017.

At target 
Credit rating increased to 2 notches above Alcoa. 
Funds from operations/total debt 214%. 
Net debt/EBITDA is [0.5 times],

Below target 
Continuing to develop alternative corporate strategies

Strategic objective – Prepare corporate development plan and 
strategy 
(20% Weighting)

At target 
Plans developed and implemented

Strategic objective – Work with Alcoa on AWAC asset and 
business synergies and strategies 
(20% weighting)

Below target 
Recommendations developed and communicated to Alcoa 
and synergies being reviewed

Strategic objective – Progress a strategy on strategic decisions 
relating to Brazilian assets with Alcoa 
(15% weighting)

Below target 
Positive response and action taken. However, still in progress.

Strategic objective – Develop a bauxite pricing and investment 
strategy 
(10% weighting)

Below target 
Bauxite pricing strategies well developed and initiatives 
introduced

46 ¬

TABLE 4 – PERSONAL OBJECTIVES – 50% OF POTENTIAL STI AWARD (THE APPLICATION OF PERSONAL OBJECTIVES VARY 
FOR EACH EXECUTIVE)

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

PERFORMANCE RESULT ASSESSMENT

Resolve the treatment of certain Alcoa Brazilian alumina tonnage 

Below target

(15% weighting)

Hold Alumina Limited costs flat to 2016

(10% weighting)

Ongoing

At target

Achieved, excluding extraordinary expenses directly related 
in activities to finalise the joint venture restructure

Implement process and information gathering in relation to 
treatment of pre-existing liabilities at the Point Comfort refinery

At target

Progressing but not finalised. 

(15% weighting) 

Protect Alumina Limited’s rights in Suriname closure and  
that pre-existing liabilities are correctly allocated.

(15% weighting)

Below target

Company position determined, outcome  
yet to be resolved

Agree with Alcoa and execute AWAC debt financing.

(15% weighting)

Review with Alcoa indirect risk management priorities.

(10% weighting)

Verify intercompany charges for AWAC and related party 
transactions with Alcoa and isolate separation costs.

At target

Achieved

At target

Achieved

At target

Relevant cost allocations appropriate

Develop financing strategies

(5% weighting)

At target

Achieved

TABLE 5 – 2017 STI OUTCOMES

The following table indicates the actual value of STI paid to the CEO and Senior Executives and the percentage of total potential STI 
paid and forfeited by each executive.

EXECUTIVE KMP

Michael Ferraro (CEO)

Peter Wasow ( Previous CEO)1

Chris Thiris (CFO)

Stephen Foster (General Counsel/Company Secretary)

Andrew Wood (Group Executive Strategy and Development)

Total Executive Remuneration

YEAR

STI PAID

PERCENTAGE 
PAID

PERCENTAGE 
FORFEITED

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

–

–

185,653

725,000

355,000

485,000

265,000

500,000

119,000

200,000

924,653

1,910,000

75%

175%

72%

100%

71%

138%

64%

110%

71%

132%

–

25%

–

28%

–

29%

–

36%

–

29%

–

1  Mr Wasow retired and ceased employment with Alumina Limited on 31 July 2017. His STI payment was pro-rated for his time of service.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 47 

NET (LOSS)/PROFIT AFTER TAX EXCLUDING SIGNIFICANT 
ITEMS

•  was the matter within management’s control (for example, 

was it a legacy matter).

The  Board  had  considered  the  following  factors  in  deciding 
whether it is appropriate to use adjusted earnings within the STI 
scheme;

•  the rationale and circumstances causing the adjustment, or 

simply put, was it the right thing to do?

•  the impact on shareholders.

•  was the matter caused by error or poor judgement.

•  the Audit and Risk Committee’s review of these matters. 

2.1.2  PERFORMANCE UNDER THE LTI PLAN 

The  testing  of  the  LTI  Performance  Rights  granted  in  2015 
resulted  in  partial  vesting  of  those  due  to  the  Company’s 
performance outcome exceeding the minimum vesting criteria 
for both comparator groups. Performance Rights not allocated 
lapse. Retesting does not apply. 

TSR PERFORMANCE RESULTS FOR THE YEARS 2013 TO 2017

Percentile ranking of TSR against ASX Comparator Group

2017

511

Percentile ranking of TSR against International Comparator Group3

732

Percentage of total remuneration relating to vested LTI4

20%

2016

2015

76

85

100

84

37%

35

48

67

74

2014

46

2013

18

38

30

15%

2%

8%

1  TSR percentile ranking of approximately 51 is applicable to Performance Rights granted in 2015 under the ESP against the ASX Comparator Group, 

performance period 12 December 2014 to 11 December 2017, calculated on the average closing share price over the 20 trading days up to and including the 
start of the performance period, and on the average closing share price over the 20 trading days up to and including the end of the performance period.
2   TSR percentile ranking of approximately 73 is applicable to Performance Rights granted in 2015 under of the ESP against the International Comparator 
Group, performance period 12 December 2014 to 11 December 2017, calculated on the average closing share price over the 20 trading days up to and 
including the start of the performance period, and on the average closing share price over the 20 trading days up to and including the end of the 
performance period. 

3  For the testing of the tranche in December 2017, the comparison was made against the performance of eight companies in the alumina or aluminium 

industry. The Board considers the reasonableness of the International Comparator Group each year and due to the limited number of relevant companies 
against which to test on a like basis Alumina Limited’s performance. For the grant in 2017, it was decided to include United Company Rusal that increased 
the comparator group to nine companies, a number the Board considers is appropriate.

4   Represents the average applicable to senior executives. 

2.1.3  ALUMINA LIMITED’S REMUNERATION 
GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS

•  Provide independent advice on remuneration trends and 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

practices.

Reviews  and  approves  the  Charter  of  the  Compensation 
Committee. The Board approves the remuneration philosophy, 
policies and practices.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Delegated authority to:

•  Take advice from management and where relevant, 

independent advisers.

•  Devise a remuneration framework, strategy, policies and 

practices.

•  Oversee the implementation of the remuneration strategy 

and policy.

•  Establish appropriate performance objectives and measures.

•  Monitor performance against objectives and recommend 

incentive awards.

•  Approve remuneration outcomes.

•  Provide benchmarking data and analysis.

•  Support the Compensation Committee in relation to changes 
to remuneration policy, employment contracts, structures 
and practices etc.

•  Provide governance and legal advice on remuneration related 

matters.

MANAGEMENT

•  Provides the Compensation Committee with information to 
assist in its remuneration decisions including remuneration 
recommendations.

The Compensation Committee is solely formed of Non-Executive 
Directors and is chaired by Ms Emma Stein.

The  duties  and  responsibilities  delegated  to  the  Compensation 
Committee  by  the  Board  are  set  out  in  the  Compensation 
Committee’s  Charter,  which  is  available  on  the  Company’s 
website at www.aluminalimited.com/compensation-committee.

48 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬49 

Remuneration Consultants

CHANGE OF CONTROL

The Compensation Committee has the authority to seek advice 
from independent remuneration consultants on matters relating 
to  remuneration  including  developing  and  implementing 
executive  remuneration  strategies,  associated  statutory 
obligations and the quantum of remuneration. 

Alumina Limited has established protocols for the engagement 
of remuneration consultants and the processes to be followed 
regarding recommendations. 

In  seeking  remuneration  advice  from  consultants,  the 
Compensation Committee ensures that the advice is free from 
undue influence by:

•  selecting the consultant

•  briefing the consultant

•  receiving the report directly from the consultant rather than 

via Company executives

•  the consultant declaring that a remuneration recommendation 
is free from undue influence by the Key Management Personnel 
to whom it relates. 

In  2017,  no  remuneration  recommendation,  as  defined  in  the 
Corporations Act, was received. 

2.1.4 

 OTHER REMUNERATION MATTERS 
CLAWBACK POLICY

Alumina Limited has a Clawback Policy that provides scope for 
the Board to recoup incentive remuneration paid to the CEO and 
senior executives where:

•  material misrepresentation or material restatement of Alumina 
Limited’s financial statements occurred as a result of fraud or 
misconduct by the CEO or any senior executives; and

•  the CEO or senior executives received incentive remuneration 
in  excess  of  that  which  should  have  been  received  if  the 
Alumina  Limited  financial  statements  had  been  correctly 
reported. 

The  Board  also  may  seek  to  recover  gains  from  the  sale  or 
disposition of vested shares and determine to cancel unvested 
equity awards. 

In the event of a change in control, the Board may bring forward 
the  testing  date  for  the  LTI  performance  conditions,  or  waive 
those  conditions,  and/or  (in  the  case  of  Performance  Rights 
granted from 2016) shorten the exercise period for Performance 
Rights that have already vested or that vest subsequently. The 
Board may also, in its discretion, determine that cash settlement 
amounts  will  be  paid  in  respect  of  any  vested  Performance 
Rights.

CESSATION OF EMPLOYMENT

On cessation of employment, prior to Performance Rights vesting, 
except to the extent that the Board otherwise determines in its 
absolute discretion within 20 business days after employment 
ceasing,  a  pro  rata  number  of  unvested  Performance  Rights 
will  lapse.  The  number  of  unvested  Performance  Rights  that 
lapse will be proportional to the amount of the testing period 
that has not yet elapsed at the time of employment ceasing. In 
these circumstances, the Board also has discretion under the 
LTI plan rules to determine, within two months of employment 
ceasing, that any of the remaining unvested Performance Rights 
are forfeited.

In relation to any remaining unvested Performance Rights that 
do not lapse and are not forfeited, they will continue on foot 
under the LTI plan rules and be tested for vesting in the normal 
way unless the exercise period is shortened or the Board in its 
discretion determines that any or all performance conditions in 
respect of all or some of the Performance Rights will be tested 
at  a  date  determined  by  the  Board  or  waived,  and/or  cash 
settlement amounts will be paid in respect of Performance Rights 
that vest and are exercised. 

Mr Peter Wasow retired and ceased employment with Alumina 
Limited on 31 July 2017. As per the terms of his contract, Mr 
Wasow was paid;

•  FAR proportionally calculated in lieu of notice (notice period 31 

July 2017 to 1 June 2018)

•  STI pro rata payment for 1 January to 31 July 2017 based on 
delivery of specific pre-retirement outcomes and his role in 
handover to his successor

•  LTI unvested Performance Rights were lapsed proportional to 
the amount of the testing period that had not yet elapsed at the 
time of ceasing employment.

As a result, Mr Wasow has two further tranches due for testing 
in  December  2018  and  December  2019.  In  total  Mr  Wasow 
had 851,600 Performance Rights prior to his retirement. After 
applying pro rata allocation, Mr Wasow lapsed 387,134 rights 
with 464,466 retained subject to performance testing.

48 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 49 

SHARE TRADING AND HEDGING PROHIBITIONS

Performance Rights granted under Alumina Limited’s LTI plan must remain at risk until fully vested. This is consistent with Alumina 
Limited’s Share Trading Policy that prohibits Directors and employees from engaging in:

•  short-term trading of any Alumina Limited securities 

•  buying or selling Alumina Limited securities if they possess unpublished, price-sensitive information; or 

•  trading in derivative products over the Company’s securities, or entering into transactions in products that limit the economic 

risk of their security holdings in the Company.

2.2 SENIOR EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION

This section outlines the STI and LTI components of executive remuneration.

2017

KEY FEATURES OF THE STI PLAN

KEY FEATURES OF THE LTI PLAN

Description

The Board sets financial and non-financial performance 
objectives at the start of each year, and company and 
executive performance is then assessed against each 
objective at the end of each year to determine whether 
executives receive payment under the STI plan.

The LTI is delivered in the form of Performance Rights 
that are tested over a three year performance period. 
Each Performance Right that vests delivers to the holder 
an ordinary share in Alumina Limited upon vesting (for 
Performance  Rights  granted  prior  to  2016)  or  upon 
vesting and exercise (for Performance Rights granted 
from 2016). 

Performance 
Period

Performance 
levels

Financial Year

Three years

Level of Performance 

Percentage of FAR

Below expectations 

0% received

At Target 

Maximum 

Mr Thiris 56%
Mr Foster 56%
Mr Wood 35%

Mr Thiris 70%
Mr Foster 70%
Mr Wood 50%

•  The CEO Performance Right entitlement 
is approximately 35 per cent of FAR.

•  For Mr Thiris and Mr Foster the maximum 
is 40 per cent of FAR and 30 per cent 
for Mr Wood.1 

Performance 
hurdles

•  Based on a scorecard comprising of corporate (50 per 
cent weighting) and personal (50 per cent weighting) 
objectives focused on key financial outcomes for the 
year ahead together with critical initiatives, issues and 
projects (which could be at the asset, joint venture 
or industry level).

•  Alumina Limited’s performance is tested using relative 

TSR compared against two comparator groups.

•  Relative TSR was chosen as a performance measure 
as  an  appropriate  means  of  measuring  Company 
performance as it incorporates both capital growth 
and dividends. The two comparator groups against 
which Alumina Limited’s performance is tested are:

•  (Test 1 – ASX Comparator Group) S&P ASX 100 Index 
companies which are alternative investments for the 
Company's shareholders, excluding the Company, 
the top 20 companies by market capitalisation and 
property trusts. 

•  (Test 2 – International Comparator Group) reflecting 
the  Company's  direct  competitors  in  the  market 
comprising eight selected companies in the alumina 
and/or aluminium industries that are listed in Australia 
or overseas, excluding the Company. 

5 0¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬51 

 
 
 
 
2017

Performance 
assessment

KEY FEATURES OF THE STI PLAN

KEY FEATURES OF THE LTI PLAN

The  Compensation  Committee  reviews  individual 
performance  against  the  scorecard  at  year  end.  It 
takes into account actual performance outcomes and 
internal and external factors that may have contributed 
to  the  results  based  on  a  comprehensive  report 
provided by the CEO. 

Performance  hurdles  are 
independently 
measured  by  Mercer  Consulting  (Australia)  at 
the conclusion of the relevant performance period. 
Alumina Limited’s TSR is ranked against the TSR 
of companies in each of the comparator groups.

In  determining  its  recommendations  to  the  board 
on  the  level  of  STI  payments,  the  Compensation 
Committee decides and, through discussion, tests:

Percentile ranking  
(in the relevant 
comparator group)

•  weightings.

•  whether each individual element was achieved and 

surpassed 

Percentage of  
annual vesting of 
Performance Rights  
in the relevant half  
of the LTI award

Below 50th percentile

0% vesting

Entitlements

•  if an element was not achieved, whether and for 
what reason a positive rating is given, otherwise 
likely to be zero. 

Equal to 50th 
percentile

50% vesting

Given the nature of the building blocks to the Alumina 
Limited  STI  scheme,  a  simple  distinction  between 
threshold, at target and stretch performance is not 
always apparent, especially at the beginning of the 
year.  But  in  making  its  assessments  as  described 
above, the Compensation Committee is focused on a 
scheme which is sufficiently demanding and rewards 
hard-won achievements by executives.

Between 50th &  
75th percentile (ASX 
Comparator Group)1

An additional 2%  
of awards for each 
percentile increase

Equal to or greater than 
75th percentile

100% vesting

Following testing, any 
Performance Rights 
that have not vested 
will lapse.

•  The  participant  is  only  entitled  to  proportionally 
receive  dividends  and  other  distributions,  bonus 
issues or other benefits if the performance conditions 
applicable  to  Performance  Rights  are  satisfied  (or 
waived)  and  the  Performance  Rights  vest  and  are 
exercised. 

•  Shares  relating  to  Performance  Rights,  are  not 
automatically  allocated  upon  vesting.  Instead, 
participants  are  entitled  to  exercise  each  relevant 
Performance Right at any time during the applicable 
exercise period (Exercise Period) after vesting. The 
Exercise Period will generally end seven years after 
vesting of the relevant Performance Rights. However, 
the  Exercise  Period  may  be  shortened  in  certain 
circumstances such as cessation of employment or a 
change of control event. Performance Rights that do 
not vest as at the end of the vesting period will lapse. 

2 

1  The annual dollar value of the LTI grant is divided by the average Company share price over the 20 trading days leading up to the time that the Board 
determined to make offers of Performance Rights to Senior Executives under the LTI plan for the relevant year, in order to determine the number 
of Performance Rights to be offered.
If the Company's TSR performance is equal to that of any entity (or security) between the 50th percentile and the 75th percentile of the International 
Comparator Group ranked by TSR performance, the number of Performance Rights in the relevant half of the LTI award that vest will be equal to the vesting 
percentage assigned by the Board to that entity (or security). If the Company's TSR performance is between that of any two such entities (or securities) 
in the International Comparator Group, the number of Performance Rights in the relevant half of the LTI award that vest will be determined on a pro rata 
basis relative to the vesting percentages assigned by the Board to those entities (or securities). 

50¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 51 

2.3 EXECUTIVE KMP REMUNERATION AND EQUITY GRANTED IN 2017

The following tables contain the components that form the total statutory remuneration paid in 2017 to the Company’s  
CEO and Senior Executives. Remuneration outcomes presented in Table 6 are prepared in accordance with relevant  
accounting standards.

TABLE 6 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES REMUNERATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED  
31 DECEMBER 2017

EXECUTIVE  
KMP 

Michael Ferraro 
(CEO)

Peter Wasow  
(Retired CEO)

Chris Thiris 
(CFO)

Stephen Foster  
(General Counsel/
Company Secretary)

Andrew Wood 
(Group Executive 
Strategy and 
Development)

SHORT-TERM BENEFITS

YEAR

2017

FAR1

731,502

STI2

–

NON- 
MONETARY3

OTHER4

TOTAL

18,543

–

750,045

POST EMPLOYMENT 

BENEFITS

SHARE BASED PAYMENTS

SUPERANNUATION AND 

TERMINATION5

CONDITIONAL 

RIGHTS6

PERFORMANCE 

RIGHTS7

12,248

136,111

59,265

TOTAL

195,376

TOTAL  

REMUNERATION

957,669

2017

899,473

185,653

–

4,065

1,089,191

1,034,356

292,675

175,436

468,111

2,591,658

2016

1,170,838

725,000

29,676

21,997

1,947,511

19,462

207,000

310,856

517,856

2,484,829

2017

678,712

355,000

26,371

7,798

1,067,881

181,694

181,694

1,279,563

2016

656,458

485,000

23,278

5,484

1,170,220

207,649

207,649

1,412,811

2017

499,600

265,000

24,213

–

788,813

135,995

135,995

954,708

2016

483,500

500,000

18,917

15,966

1,018,383

155,368

155,368

1,206,751

2017

353,768

119,000

11,204

–

483,972

2016

345,038

200,000

9,087

11,780

565,905 

71,842

71,842

71,052

71,052

575,646

656,419

29,988

34,942

29,900

33,000

19,832

19,462

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

2017

3,163,055

924,653

80,331

11,863

4,179,902

1,126,324

428,786

624,232

1,053,018

6,359,244

Executive  
remuneration

2016

2,655,834

1,910,000

80,958

55,227

4,702,019

106,866

207,000

744,925

951,925

5,760,810

1   Short-Term FAR is the total cash cost of salary, exclusive of superannuation.
2   Short-term incentive payments reflect the cash value paid for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016.
3   Non-monetary benefits represent accrued long service leave and value of the car park and a travel entitlement for Mr Ferraro.
4   Other short-term benefits include personal financial advice allowance and travel allowance.

5   Superannuation contributions reflect the SGC payment and termination (payment in lieu) payment for the previous CEO.

6   In 2017, Mr Ferraro was granted a conditional rights share based payment that is amortised over 12 month (conditional) period. In 2017, Mr Ferraro received 

122,164 conditional rights calculated by dividing the aggregate grant value of $233,333 (pro-rated for his $400,000 full entitlement) by an independently 

determined Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) of $1.91 per right. The grant date was 9 June 2017 with release date of 8 June 2020. The rights vest 

immediately after the 12 month (conditional) period and only then is Mr Ferraro entitled to any benefits or entitlements attaching to the shares. While 

Mr Ferraro is employed by the Company, and unless the Board otherwise determines, he may not dispose of or otherwise deal or purport to deal with any 

shares transferred to him upon vesting of the award, until (and including) the release date. In 2017, FAR for Mr Wasow included a conditional rights share 

based payment that is amortised over a 12 month (conditional) period. In 2017, Mr Wasow received 116,580 conditional rights calculated by dividing the 

aggregate grant value of $212,175 by an independently determined VWAP of $1.82 per right. The grant date was 9 January 2017 with a vesting date of 9 

July 2017. The 2017 rights vest immediately after the 6 month (conditional) period and only then is Mr Wasow entitled to any benefits or entitlements 

attaching to the shares. In 2016, Mr Wasow was the recipient of 177,988 share rights at a VWAP of $1.163. The grant date was on 7 January 2016 with 

share rights vesting on 7 July 2017. In 2016, Mr Foster elected to increase his superannuation contribution (reflected in the superannuation column) which 

caused a reduction in his recorded 2016 FAR by the same amount.

7 

In accordance with AASB 2, the value attributed to Performance Rights represents the amortisation for the reporting period of the value at grant date of all 

previously granted Performance Rights that have neither vested nor lapsed. The value at grant date is amortised over a three year period.

5 2¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬53 

2.3 EXECUTIVE KMP REMUNERATION AND EQUITY GRANTED IN 2017

The following tables contain the components that form the total statutory remuneration paid in 2017 to the Company’s  

CEO and Senior Executives. Remuneration outcomes presented in Table 6 are prepared in accordance with relevant  

TABLE 6 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES REMUNERATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED  

SHORT-TERM BENEFITS

NON- 

FAR1

STI2

MONETARY3

OTHER4

TOTAL

YEAR

2017

731,502

–

18,543

–

750,045

12,248

136,111

59,265

POST EMPLOYMENT 
BENEFITS

SHARE BASED PAYMENTS

SUPERANNUATION AND 
TERMINATION5

CONDITIONAL 
RIGHTS6

PERFORMANCE 
RIGHTS7

TOTAL

195,376

TOTAL  
REMUNERATION

957,669

2017

899,473

185,653

–

4,065

1,089,191

1,034,356

292,675

175,436

468,111

2,591,658

2016

1,170,838

725,000

29,676

21,997

1,947,511

19,462

207,000

310,856

517,856

2,484,829

2017

678,712

355,000

26,371

7,798

1,067,881

2016

656,458

485,000

23,278

5,484

1,170,220

2017

499,600

265,000

24,213

788,813

2016

483,500

500,000

18,917

15,966

1,018,383

2017

353,768

119,000

11,204

483,972

2016

345,038

200,000

9,087

11,780

565,905 

–

–

29,988

34,942

29,900

33,000

19,832

19,462

–

–

–

–

–

–

181,694

181,694

1,279,563

207,649

207,649

1,412,811

135,995

135,995

954,708

155,368

155,368

1,206,751

71,842

71,842

71,052

71,052

575,646

656,419

Total

2017

3,163,055

924,653

80,331

11,863

4,179,902

1,126,324

428,786

624,232

1,053,018

6,359,244

2016

2,655,834

1,910,000

80,958

55,227

4,702,019

106,866

207,000

744,925

951,925

5,760,810

accounting standards.

31 DECEMBER 2017

EXECUTIVE  

KMP 

Michael Ferraro 

(CEO)

Peter Wasow  

(Retired CEO)

Chris Thiris 

(CFO)

Stephen Foster  

(General Counsel/

Company Secretary)

Andrew Wood 

(Group Executive 

Strategy and 

Development)

Executive  

remuneration

1   Short-Term FAR is the total cash cost of salary, exclusive of superannuation.

2   Short-term incentive payments reflect the cash value paid for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016.

3   Non-monetary benefits represent accrued long service leave and value of the car park and a travel entitlement for Mr Ferraro.

4   Other short-term benefits include personal financial advice allowance and travel allowance.

5   Superannuation contributions reflect the SGC payment and termination (payment in lieu) payment for the previous CEO.
6   In 2017, Mr Ferraro was granted a conditional rights share based payment that is amortised over 12 month (conditional) period. In 2017, Mr Ferraro received 
122,164 conditional rights calculated by dividing the aggregate grant value of $233,333 (pro-rated for his $400,000 full entitlement) by an independently 
determined Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) of $1.91 per right. The grant date was 9 June 2017 with release date of 8 June 2020. The rights vest 
immediately after the 12 month (conditional) period and only then is Mr Ferraro entitled to any benefits or entitlements attaching to the shares. While 
Mr Ferraro is employed by the Company, and unless the Board otherwise determines, he may not dispose of or otherwise deal or purport to deal with any 
shares transferred to him upon vesting of the award, until (and including) the release date. In 2017, FAR for Mr Wasow included a conditional rights share 
based payment that is amortised over a 12 month (conditional) period. In 2017, Mr Wasow received 116,580 conditional rights calculated by dividing the 
aggregate grant value of $212,175 by an independently determined VWAP of $1.82 per right. The grant date was 9 January 2017 with a vesting date of 9 
July 2017. The 2017 rights vest immediately after the 6 month (conditional) period and only then is Mr Wasow entitled to any benefits or entitlements 
attaching to the shares. In 2016, Mr Wasow was the recipient of 177,988 share rights at a VWAP of $1.163. The grant date was on 7 January 2016 with 
share rights vesting on 7 July 2017. In 2016, Mr Foster elected to increase his superannuation contribution (reflected in the superannuation column) which 
caused a reduction in his recorded 2016 FAR by the same amount.
In accordance with AASB 2, the value attributed to Performance Rights represents the amortisation for the reporting period of the value at grant date of all 
previously granted Performance Rights that have neither vested nor lapsed. The value at grant date is amortised over a three year period.

7 

52 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 53 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES ‘TAKE HOME’ REMUNERATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
31 DECEMBER 2017

The following table is non-statutory table and is not prepared in accordance to AASB 2. The purpose of the table to provide a snapshot 
of the actual 'take home' remuneration received in 2017. It takes the total remuneration as per Table 6 above and adjusts for the 
impact of amortised share based remuneration and adds in the value of actual vested Performance Rights which vested during 2017.

TABLE 7

EXECUTIVE KMP

YEAR

TOTAL 
REMUNERATION

LESS NON-CASH ITEMS

ADD VALUE OF 
THE VESTED 
PERFORMANCE 
RIGHTS

TOTAL  
TAKE HOME 
REMUNERATION

SHORT-TERM 
NON-MONETARY 
BENEFITS

SHARE BASED 
REMUNERATION

Michael Ferraro 
(CEO)

Peter Wasow 
(Previous CEO)

Chris Thiris (CFO)

Stephen Foster 
(General Counsel/
Company 
Secretary)

Andrew Wood 
(Group Executive 
Strategy and 
Development)

Total Executive 
remuneration

2017

957,669

(18,543)

(195,376)

743,750

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2,591,658

2,484,829

1,279,563

1,412,811

954,708

1,206,751

575,646

656,419

0

(29,676)

(26,371)

(23,278)

(24,213)

(18,917)

(11,204)

(9,087)

(468,111)

(517,856)

(181,694)

(207,649)

(135,995)

(155,368)

(71,842)

(71,052)

385,019

715,080

2,508,566

2,652,377

292,400

1,363,898

701,329

219,705

523,828

115,598

184,760

1,883,213

1,014,205

1,556,294

608,198

761,040

6,359,244

(80,331)

(1,053,018)

1,012,722

6,238,617

5,760,810

(80,958)

(951,925)

2,124,997

6,852,924

5 4¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 55 

The terms and conditions of each grant of Performance Rights affecting remuneration in the previous, current or future  
reporting periods are as follows:

TABLE 8 – PERFORMANCE RIGHTS GRANTED AS REMUNERATION FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017 
AND 31 DECEMBER 2016

CEO

Michael Ferraro

Previous CEO

Peter Wasow

Senior Executives

Chris Thiris

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

YEAR1

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

NUMBER OF 
PERFORMANCE 
RIGHTS AS AT 
1 JANUARY2

NUMBER GRANTED 
DURING THE YEAR 
AS REMUNERATION3

VALUE OF  
PERFORMANCE 
RIGHTS AT GRANT 
DATE4

NUMBER  
VESTED  
DURING  
YEAR5

VALUE  

VESTED  

DURING  

YEAR6

NUMBER  

LAPSED  

DURING  

YEAR7

VALUE  

LAPSED  

DURING  

YEAR

VALUE AS  

NUMBER OF 

MINIMUM VALUE 

MAXIMUM 

PROPORTION OF 

PERFORMANCE 

OF GRANTS YET 

VALUE OF GRANTS 

REMUNERATION %8

TO VEST

YET TO VEST10

RIGHTS AS AT 

31 DECEMBER9

-

141,900

$262,515

-

-

27.41%

141,900

$262,500

599,900

647,900

400,700

581,076

300,000

434,737

158,400

174,566

251,700

356,000

168,100

237,800

125,600

177,600

66,500

94,000

$259,251

(159,759)

$281,240

(404,000)

$173,143

$187,862

$129,368

(121,328)

(418,176)

(91,164)

$140,304

(312,337)

$68,495

$74,260

(47,966)

(110,166)

$385,019

(441,873)

($425,033)

$292,400

(41,572)

($46,976)

32.71%

405,900

$219,705

(31,236)

($35,297)

32.87%

303,200

$115,598

(16,434)

($18,570)

8.46%

40.10%

249,968

599,900

62.94%

400,700

55.03%

300,000

28.75%

39.46%

160,500

158,400

$715,080

$701,329

$523,828

$184,760

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$210,537

$556,847

$361,005

$371,939

$269,672

$278,616

$142,755

$147,032

1  For Performance Rights granted on 20 January 2017, Performance Rights vest on satisfaction of the performance criteria on 6 December 2019. The eligible participant 
then enters an exercise period that concludes at 5:00pm (Melbourne time) on the date that is seven years after vesting. Vested ESP entitlements that are not exercised 
by the end of the Exercise Period will lapse (and consequently no Shares will be allocated, and no Cash Settlement Amounts will be paid, in respect of those vested ESP 
entitlements). However, if any of an eligible participants vested ESP entitlements would otherwise lapse at the end of the Exercise Period because of this rule, and they 
have not previously notified Alumina Limited that they do not wish those vested ESP entitlements to be exercised, then they will be deemed to be exercised by the 
eligible participant. For Performance Rights granted on 19 February 2016, if at the end date for testing on 7 December 2018, less than 100 percent of the ESP entitlements 
vest on the basis of the performance tests, those that do not vest will lapse.
Includes the number of Performance Rights granted that were subject to testing in 2017.

2 
3  Performance Rights granted on 20 January 2017 (2016: 19 February 2016) for the three year performance test period concluding 6 December 2019 (2016: 7 December 
2018). The value of 2017 Performance Right at grant date was $1.03 (2016: $0.79).Value per Performance Right is independently calculated by Mercer Consulting 
(Australia) using the assumptions underlying the Black-Scholes methodology to produce a Monte Carlo simulation model which allows the incorporation of the hurdles 
that must be met before the Performance Rights vest. 

TABLE 8.1 CONDITIONAL RIGHTS GRANTED TO THE CEO FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017 AND 31 DECEMBER 2016

YEAR

NUMBER OF 
CONDITIONAL RIGHTS 
AS AT 1 JANUARY

NUMBER GRANTED 
DURING THE YEAR AS 
REMUNERATION1

VALUE OF 
CONDITIONAL RIGHTS 
AT GRANT DATE2

NUMBER VESTED 
DURING YEAR3

VALUE VESTED 

DURING YEAR4

NUMBER LAPSED 

DURING YEAR5

VALUE LAPSED 

DURING YEAR6

VALUE AS 

NUMBER OF 

PROPORTION OF 

CONDITIONAL RIGHTS 

REMUNERATION %7

AS AT 31 DECEMBER8 

MAXIMUM VALUE 

 OF GRANTS YET  

TO VEST9

CEO

Michael Ferraro

2017

- 

122,164

$233,333

-

Previous CEO

Peter Wasow

2017

2016

177,988 

114,930 

116,580 

177,988 

$212,175

$207,000

(294,568)

(114,930)

1  Mr Ferraro receives annually, Conditional Rights, an equity based component of his remuneration. In 2017 the number of Conditional Rights was equal to the value of 
$400,000  which  was  pro-rated  and  equated  to  $233,333.  The  number  of  Conditional  Rights  was  determined  by  an  independently  calculated  Volume  Weighted 
Average Price (VWAP) which for 2017 was $1.91 (122,164 shares). The previous CEO, Mr Wasow, received annually, Conditional Rights as an equity component of his 
FAR. In 2017 the number of Conditional Rights was equal to the set value  of $212,175 divided by an independently determined VWAP which, for 2017 was $1.82 
(116,580 shares).

2  Mr Wasow's FAR increased in 2017 therefore the total value of the initial grant of Conditional Rights was $212,175.
3  The number of Conditional Rights vested is the number granted in the prior year following the completion of the service conditions.
4  Value vested is equal to the number of Conditional Rights that have satisfied the service condition multiplied by the share price at the time of vesting. In 2017 it was 

294,568 Conditional Rights by the share price of $2.03 on 7 July 2017 (2016: 114,930 Conditional Rights by the share price of $1.32 on 16 September 2016).

5 6¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

-

$597,973

$151,708

-

-

-

24.36%

122,164

31.26%

14.44%

- 

177,988 

-

-

-

¬57 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The terms and conditions of each grant of Performance Rights affecting remuneration in the previous, current or future  

reporting periods are as follows:

AND 31 DECEMBER 2016

TABLE 8 – PERFORMANCE RIGHTS GRANTED AS REMUNERATION FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017 

CEO

Michael Ferraro

Previous CEO

Peter Wasow

Senior Executives

Chris Thiris

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

YEAR1

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

NUMBER OF 

PERFORMANCE 

NUMBER GRANTED 

DURING THE YEAR 

VALUE OF  

PERFORMANCE 

RIGHTS AS AT 

AS REMUNERATION3

RIGHTS AT GRANT 

1 JANUARY2

DATE4

NUMBER  

VESTED  

DURING  

YEAR5

VALUE  
VESTED  
DURING  
YEAR6

NUMBER  
LAPSED  
DURING  
YEAR7

VALUE  
LAPSED  
DURING  
YEAR

VALUE AS  
PROPORTION OF 
REMUNERATION %8

NUMBER OF 
PERFORMANCE 
RIGHTS AS AT 
31 DECEMBER9

MINIMUM VALUE 
OF GRANTS YET 
TO VEST

MAXIMUM 
VALUE OF GRANTS 
YET TO VEST10

-

141,900

$262,515

-

-

-

-

27.41%

141,900

599,900

647,900

400,700

581,076

300,000

434,737

158,400

174,566

251,700

356,000

168,100

237,800

125,600

177,600

66,500

94,000

$259,251

(159,759)

$281,240

(404,000)

$173,143

$187,862

$129,368

(121,328)

(418,176)

(91,164)

$140,304

(312,337)

$68,495

$74,260

(47,966)

(110,166)

$385,019

(441,873)

($425,033)

$715,080

-

-

8.46%

40.10%

249,968

599,900

$292,400

(41,572)

($46,976)

32.71%

405,900

$701,329

-

-

62.94%

400,700

$219,705

(31,236)

($35,297)

32.87%

303,200

$523,828

-

-

55.03%

300,000

$115,598

(16,434)

($18,570)

$184,760

-

-

28.75%

39.46%

160,500

158,400

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$262,500

$210,537

$556,847

$361,005

$371,939

$269,672

$278,616

$142,755

$147,032

4  The value of Performance Rights granted in the year reflects the value of a Performance Right, multiplied by the number of Performance Rights granted during 2017. 
Performance Rights were valued independently by Mercer Consulting (Australia) using the assumptions underlying the Black-Scholes methodology to produce a Monte 
Carlo simulation model that accommodates features associated with Alumina Limited’s ESP such as exercise, lapse and performance hurdles. The rights are those 
granted in 2017. 

5  The number of Performance Rights that vested in 2017 due to testing of Tranche 15. Performance testing of Tranche 15 resulted in 52.4 per cent of the Performance Rights 

vesting against the ASX Comparator Group and 96.6 per cent against the International Comparator Group. 

6  The value of Performance Rights vested is determined by the number of vested Rights multiplied by the market price at the vesting date. 
7  The number of the Performance Rights that did not meet the criteria for vesting and are not subject to further testing and therefore lapsed. The unvested portion of 
Tranche 15 Performance Rights lapsed in 2017. No Performance Rights lapsed in 2016. It also includes 387,134 Performance Rights for Mr Wasow that lapsed on a 
proportionate basis from his retirement date to the end of the relevant performance period.

8  Value of vested Performance Rights represented as a percentage of total remuneration.
9  Number of Performance Rights granted subject to future testing.
10  Maximum value of Performance Rights subject to future testing. Maximum value is determined by multiplying the number of untested Performance Rights by the fair 
value that is independently calculated by Mercer Consulting (Australia) using the assumptions underlying the Black-Scholes methodology to produce a Monte Carlo 
simulation model which allows the incorporation of the hurdles that must be met before the Performance Right vest.

TABLE 8.1 CONDITIONAL RIGHTS GRANTED TO THE CEO FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017 AND 31 DECEMBER 2016

YEAR

NUMBER OF 

NUMBER GRANTED 

VALUE OF 

CONDITIONAL RIGHTS 

DURING THE YEAR AS 

CONDITIONAL RIGHTS 

AS AT 1 JANUARY

REMUNERATION1

AT GRANT DATE2

NUMBER VESTED 

DURING YEAR3

VALUE VESTED 
DURING YEAR4

NUMBER LAPSED 
DURING YEAR5

VALUE LAPSED 
DURING YEAR6

VALUE AS 
PROPORTION OF 
REMUNERATION %7

NUMBER OF 
CONDITIONAL RIGHTS 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER8 

MAXIMUM VALUE 
 OF GRANTS YET  
TO VEST9

CEO

Previous CEO

Peter Wasow

Michael Ferraro

2017

- 

122,164

$233,333

-

2017

2016

177,988 

114,930 

116,580 

177,988 

$212,175

$207,000

(294,568)

(114,930)

-

$597,973

$151,708

-

-

-

-

-

-

24.36%

122,164

31.26%

14.44%

- 

177,988 

-

-

-

5  No Conditional Rights lapsed.
6  No Conditional Rights lapsed.
7  Percentage proportion of remuneration is determined by value of vested Conditional Rights as a percentage of total remuneration.
8  Number of Conditional Rights yet to meet the service condition and have not lapsed.
9   The maximum value of the Conditional Rights is based on the number of rights that vest and are released at the expiration of the restricted period multiplied by 

the share price on the date of release.

56 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 57 

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SHAREHOLDING

TABLE 9 – SENIOR EXECUTIVE SHAREHOLDINGS FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017 AND  
31 DECEMBER 2016

BALANCE OF 
SHARES AS AT 1 
JANUARY1

SHARES ACQUIRED 
DURING THE YEAR 
UNDER EMPLOYEE 
SHARE PLAN2

OTHER 
SHARES ACQUIRED 
DURING THE YEAR

SHARES SOLD 
DURING THE YEAR

BALANCE 
OF SHARES 
HELD AT 
31 DECEMBER

Michael Ferraro3

Peter Wasow

Chris Thiris

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

68,000

455,838

214,908

814,000 

263,224 

739,717

511,842

150,000

111,010

–

–

–

68,000

294,568

(910,165)

–

(278,000)

455,838

(73,428)

900,000

114,930

38,100

 132,600 

–

28,867

(94,000)

 125,538 

(210,000)

–

–

–

(71,176)

814,000

765,748

739,717

197,966

150,000

159,759

404,000

121,328

418,176

91,164

312,337

47,966

110,166

1  Balance of shares held at 1 January and 31 December of the respective years include directly held, and nominally held shares, and shares held by personally related 

entities.
Includes vested 2015 Performance Rights that were tested in December 2017.

2 
3  Mr Ferraro was appointed Chief Executive Officer on the 1 June 2017. Prior to this he was a Non-Executive Director. His shareholdings in 2016 are disclosed in Table 11.

5 8¬

2.3.1 EXECUTIVES’ SERVICE AGREEMENTS

Remuneration and other terms of employment for executives are formalised in service agreements. 

Major provisions of the agreements relating to remuneration are set out below.

Termination benefits are within the limits set by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) such that they 
do not require shareholder approval.

TERM OF AGREEMENT  
AND NOTICE PERIOD

Mike Ferraro

No fixed term

12 month written notice from either 
party.  
Mr Ferraro’s employment may be 
terminated immediately for any 
conduct that would justify summary 
dismissal.

TERMINATION PAYMENTS1

•  Alumina Limited may, at its discretion, make a payment in lieu of some or all of the 

notice period. 

•  Any payment to be made to Mr Ferraro in lieu of notice shall be calculated based 
on his Fixed Annual Reward. He would also receive any statutory entitlements.

•  Number of shares equal to the granted conditional rights that would have vested 

during notice period.

•  In addition to the above, Mr Ferraro may terminate his employment by giving notice 
to Alumina Limited (effectively immediately or up to six months later) in the event 
of a Significant Change. In that case Mr Ferraro will be entitled to receive a payment 
equal to 12 months’ Fixed Annual Reward less the amount received during any period 
of notice served. He will also be entitled to payment in lieu of accrued annual 
and long service leave entitlements.

Chris Thiris and Stephen Foster

No fixed term

•  An additional payment which is the greater of:

Six month notice from the Company, 
three month notice from Mr Thiris  
and Mr Foster

 – A payment equivalent to six months Base Remuneration; or

 – A payment comprising:

 – Notice payment (the greater of 12 weeks or notice provided 

within employment contract).

Andrew Wood

No fixed term

Four month notice from the 
Company, two month notice from Mr 
Wood

 – severance payment of 2.5 weeks per complete year of service, pro-rated for 

completed months of service; and

 – nine weeks ex gratia payment.

•  An additional payment which is the greater of:

 – A payment equivalent to six months Base Remuneration; or

 – A payment comprising:

 – Notice payment (the greater of 12 weeks or notice provided 

within employment contract).

 – severance payment of 2.5 weeks per complete year of service, pro-rated 

 – for completed months of service; and

 – six weeks ex gratia payment

1  Payable upon termination with notice and without the cause (eg for reasons other than unsatisfactory performance) and suitable alternative employment 
is not offered or if they do not accept other employment or in the event of a significant change (which is defined to be if Alumina Limited ceases to be listed 
on the ASX or if there is a significant change to the executives status and/or responsibilities that is detrimental to the executive). Calculated according to 
the “Base Remuneration”, which is defined as FAR for Mr Ferraro; and FAR + STI at target for Mr Thiris, Mr Foster and Mr Wood. The above termination 
entitlements are subject to any restrictions imposed by the Corporations Act.
If Mr Ferraro’s employment ceases within 3 years from the grant date of any conditional rights that have been granted to him in accordance with the annual 
grant of conditional rights, and the Board determines that his status is not that of a good leaver, the Board may decide that shares received in respect of 
relevant conditional rights and all outstanding conditional rights are subject to immediate forfeiture. The treatment of any unvested Performance Rights 
upon termination of employment will be determined in accordance with the LTI Plan and the relevant terms of grant. Upon the occurrence of a change in 
control event all unvested Performance Rights shall immediately vest. Similarly any restricted Annual Grant of Share Rights will be freed from holding locks.

2 

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 59 

3. NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REMUNERATION 

The  maximum  remuneration  for  Non-Executive  Directors  is 
determined  by  resolution  of  shareholders.  At  the  2016  AGM, 
shareholders approved a maximum aggregate remuneration of 
$1,500,000 per annum for Non-Executive Directors. A total of 
$1,117,670 was paid in Non-Executive Director fees in 2017.

As  foreshadowed  in  the  2016  Remuneration  Report,  an 
independent  review  of  Non-Executive  Director  fees,  relevant 
to  the  market,  was  undertaken.  Also,  the  workload  of  Board 
Committees had increased over a period of years, especially for 
the Chairman and Chair of the Committees. The review identified 
that the Chairman’s and Committee Chair’s remuneration had 
lagged compared to the market. The outcome of the review was 
considered in light of Non-Executive Director’s base fees remaining 

unchanged from the fee level set in 2011 and no recent changes to 
the Chairman and Committee Chair fees. The Board determined 
that in the context of business conditions that there would be 
no increase to the base fee for the 2017 year (except for a nine 
per cent increase to the Chairman’s base fee). However, the fee 
for Chair of the Audit and Risk Management and Compensation 
committees were increased from $15,000 to $30,000 per annum 
to reflect changes in market practice, align with the workload of 
those roles and ensure Alumina Limited remained competitive 
to the market to attract and retain high calibre Non-Executive 
Directors.

In addition to the base fee, Non-Executive Directors receive fees 
for participation on the Board Committees and Superannuation 
Guarantee Contributions.

Committee Member

Compensation Committee Chair 

Audit & Risk Committee Chair

Nomination Committee Chair

$10,000 (aggregate)

$30,000

$30,000

$10,000

Non-Executive Directors participation on Board Committees is set out on page 17. 
Non-Executive Directors do not receive any other retirement benefits or performance based incentives, rights or options.

3.1 REMUNERATION OUTCOMES

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration details are set out below in Table 10.

TABLE 10

John Pizzey

Emma Stein

Chen Zeng

Peter Day

Mike Ferraro2

Deborah O'Toole3

Total

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2017

2016

SHORT-TERM BENEFITS

POST EMPLOYMENT

TOTAL REMUNERATION

FEES – CASH

NON-MONETARY 
BENEFITS

SUPERANNUATION 
GUARANTEE1

 390,168 

 357,008 

189,953

 174,193 

 159,262 

 159,262 

184,147

 174,193 

70,507

 169,216 

13,333

1,007,370

1,033,872

 –

 –

– 

– 

 –

 –

– 

– 

– 

– 

–

– 

– 

19,832

 19,462 

18,055

 16,557 

 15,138 

 15,138 

17,503

 16,557 

6,702

 16,084 

1,267

78,497

83,798

410,000

 376,470 

208,008

 190,750 

 174,400 

 174,400 

201,650

 190,750 

77,209

 185,300 

14,600

1,085,867

1,117,670

1  Non-Executive Directors receive, in addition to their fees, a SGC. The applicable rate for 2017 and 2016 was 9.5 per cent. Non-Executive Directors do not receive 

any other retirement benefits.

2  Mr Ferraro resigned as a Non-Executive Director on the 31 May 2017 and was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director on 1 

June 2017. His remuneration following his appointment is shown in Table 6.
3  Ms O'Toole was appointed a Non-Executive Director on 1 December 2017.

6 0 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬61 

 
3.2 NON–EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHARE HOLDINGS

Each Non-Executive Director is required to hold shares in the Company having a value at least equal to 50 per cent of their annual 
fees at the expiry of five years from appointment as a director. The requirement is satisfied when shares are acquired or by the expiry 
of the five year term. 

TABLE 11 NON–EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHAREHOLDINGS FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017 AND  
31 DECEMBER 2016

BALANCE OF SHARES AS AT 1 
JANUARY1

OTHER SHARES ACQUIRED 
DURING  
THE YEAR

BALANCE OF SHARES HELD AT 
31 DECEMBER

John Pizzey

Emma Stein

Chen Zeng2

Peter Day

Mike Ferraro3

Deborah O'Toole5

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2016

2017

82,111 

82,111 

75,808 

75,808 

4,804

4,804

75,720

75,720

25,000

–

8,500

–

8,986

–

–

–

–

–

43,0004

–

90,611

82,111 

84,794

75,808 

4,804

4,804

75,720 

75,720 

68,000

–

1  Balance of shares held at 1 January and 31 December of the respective years include directly held shares, nominally held shares, and shares held by 

personally related entities. 

2  Mr Zeng is a nominee of CITIC and CITIC holds 548,959,208 ordinary fully paid shares in Alumina Limited.
3  Mr Ferraro resigned as a Non-Executive Director on the 31 May 2017 and was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director 

on 1 June 2017. His shareholdings for 2017 are shown in Table 9.

4  Mr Ferraro purchased 43,000 shares indirectly via the trustee company of the Ferraro Super Fund, of which Mr Ferraro is a beneficiary.
5  Ms O'Toole was appointed a Non-Executive Director on 1 December 2017.

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors. 

GJ Pizzey Chairman 
—

22 March 2018

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Financial Report

The financial report covers the consolidated entity consisting of Alumina Limited 
(the Company or parent entity) and its subsidiaries (together the Group). 
The financial report is presented in US dollars.

Alumina Limited is a Company limited by shares, incorporated 
and domiciled in Australia. Its registered office and principal 
place of business is: Alumina Limited, Level 12, IBM Centre, 60 
City Road, Southbank Victoria 3006.

A description of the nature of the consolidated entity’s operations 
and its principal activities is included in the operating and financial 
review on pages 20–35 of the annual report. The operating and 
financial review is not part of this financial report.

The financial report was authorised for issue by the Directors 
on 22 March 2018.

Through the use of the internet, we have ensured that our corporate 
reporting is timely and complete. All press releases, financial 
reports and other information are available at our Investor Centre 
on our website: www.aluminalimited.com.

CONTENTS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss 
and Other Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
31 DECEMBER 2017

About This Report
Group structure and AWAC performance

1. Segment Information

2. Investments In Associates

3. Investments In Controlled Entities

Financial and Capital Risk

4. Financial Assets And Liabilities

5. Financial Risk Management

6. Capital Management

63

64

65

66

67

68

68

69

72

73

75

79

Key Numbers

7. Expenses

8. Income Tax Expense

9. Equity

10. Cash Flow Information

Other Information

11. Related Party Transactions

12. Share-Based Payments

13. Remuneration Of Auditors

14. Commitments And Contingencies

15. Events Occurring After The Reporting Period

16. Parent Entity Financial Information

17. Deed Of Cross Guarantee 

18.  New Accounting Standards And Interpretations 

Not Yet Adopted

SIGNED REPORTS

Directors’ Declaration

Independent Auditor’s Review Report 
to the Members of Alumina Limited 

80

81

83

84

86

86

87

88

88

88

89

91

91

92

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Alumina Limited Year Ended 31 December 2017

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Revenue from continuing operations

Share of net profit of associates accounted for using the equity method

General and administrative expenses

Change in fair value of derivatives/foreign exchange losses

Finance costs

Profit/(loss) before income tax

Income tax expense

NOTES

US$ MILLION

2017

0.6

360.4

(13.6)

0.7

(8.3)

2016

0.6

18.1

(25.7)

(14.1)

(9.1)

2(c)

7(a)

7(b)

339.8

(30.2)

8

–

–

Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the owners of Alumina Limited

339.8

(30.2)

Other comprehensive income/(loss) 
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Share of reserve movements accounted for using the equity method

Foreign exchange translation difference

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Re-measurements of retirement benefit obligations accounted 
for using the equity method

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable  
to the owners of Alumina Limited

9(b)

2.9

88.0

7.8

98.7

4.4

178.5

7.5

190.4

438.5

160.2

Earnings per share for profit/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to the 
ordinary equity holders of the Company:

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

9(a)

9(a)

11.8¢

11.8¢

(1.0¢)

(1.0¢)

The above consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Other assets

Total current assets

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Investment in associates

Property, plant and equipment

Total non-current assets

TOTAL ASSETS

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Payables

Provisions

Other liabilities

Total current liabilities

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

EQUITY

Contributed equity

Treasury shares

Reserves

Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

The above consolidated balance sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

NOTES

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

4(a)

40.0

–

1.8

41.8

8.6

0.1

3.0

11.7

2(c)

2,301.0

2,106.0

0.1

2,301.1

2,342.9

0.1

2,106.1

2,117.8

1.3

0.3

0.1

1.7

98.4

8.3

0.5

107.2

108.9

1.3

0.3

0.1

1.7

92.4

16.2

0.6

109.2

110.9

4(b)

4(c)

2,234.0

2,006.9

9(a)

9(a)

2,682.9

2,682.9

(0.9)

–

(1,034.7)

(1,125.3)

586.7

449.3

2,234.0

2,006.9

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Alumina Limited Year Ended 31 December 2017

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Balance as at 1 January 2016

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Dividends paid

NOTES

US$ MILLION

CONTRIBUTED 
EQUITY1

RESERVES

RETAINED 
EARNINGS

TOTAL

2,681.5

(1,305.9)

607.3

1,982.9

–

–

–

1.4

–

–

(30.2)

(30.2)

182.9

7.5

190.4

–

–

(2.3)

(135.3)

(135.3)

–

–

1.4

(2.3)

2,682.9

(1,125.3)

449.3

2,006.9

–

339.8

90.9

7.8

339.8

98.7

–

–

–

–

–

(210.2)

(210.2)

–

–

(0.9)

(0.3)

Movement in treasury shares

9(a)

Movement in share based payments reserve

Balance as at 31 December 2016

2,682.9

(1,125.3)

449.3

2,006.9

Balance as at 1 January 2017

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Dividends paid

Movement in treasury shares

9(a)

(0.9)

Movement in share based payments reserve

–

(0.3)

Balance as at 31 December 2017

2,682.0

(1,034.7)

586.7

2,234.0

1  Treasury shares have been deducted from contributed equity.
The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Cash flows from operating activities

Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of goods and services tax)

GST refund received

Dividends received from associates

Distributions received from associates

Finance costs paid

Interest paid under cross currency interest rate swap

Interest received under cross currency interest rate swap

Other

NOTES

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

(12.1)

0.5

278.1

1.2

(9.8)

(5.4)

6.6

0.4

(26.3)

0.9

150.2

0.7

(7.2)

(3.5)

5.0

0.2

Net cash inflow from operating activities

10(a)

259.5

120.0

Cash flows from investing activities

Payments for investments in associates

Proceeds from return of invested capital

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities

2(c)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Payments for shares acquired by the Alumina Employee Share Plan

Dividends paid

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year

4(a)

The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

(80.0)

63.8

(16.2)

105.0

(105.0)

(2.0)

(210.2)

(212.2)

31.1

8.6

0.3

40.0

(48.0)

81.9

33.9

30.0

(50.0)

(1.6)

(135.3)

(156.9)

(3.0)

9.3

2.3

8.6

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017

ABOUT THIS REPORT

Alumina  Limited  is  a  for  profit  company  limited  by  shares 
incorporated and domiciled in Australia whose shares are publicly 
traded on the Australian Securities Exchange. The consolidated 
financial report of the Group for the year ended 31 December 
2017 was authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of 
the Directors on 22 March 2018.

The consolidated financial report is a general purpose financial 
report which:

•  incorporates assets, liabilities and results of operations of 
all Alumina Limited’s subsidiaries and equity accounts its 
associates.  For  the  list  of  the  Company’s  associates  and 
subsidiaries refer Notes 2(a) and 3 respectively.

•  has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of 
the Corporations Act 2001, Australian Accounting Standards 
(AAS) and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting 
Standards Board (AASB). Alumina Limited is a for profit entity 
for the purpose of preparing the financial statements.

•  complies with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

•  has been prepared under historical cost convention, as modified 
by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities 
(including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit 
or loss.

•  the Company is of a kind referred to in the Australian Securities 
and  Investments  Commission  Corporations  Instrument 
2016/191, relating to the “rounding off” of amounts in the 
financial report. Amounts in the financial report have been 
rounded off in accordance with that Legislative Instrument to 
the nearest hundred thousand dollars, and presented in US 
dollars, except where otherwise required.

•  adopts  all  new  and  amended  Accounting  Standards  and 
Interpretations issued by the AASB that are effective for the 
annual reporting beginning 1 January 2017.

•  does not early adopt Accounting Standards and Interpretations 
that have been issued or amended but are not yet effective.

•  presents reclassified comparative information where required 

for consistency with the current year’s presentation.

THE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The notes include information, which is required to understand the 
financial statements and is material and relevant to the operations, 
financial position and performance of the Group. Information is 
considered material and relevant if, for example:

•  the amount in question is significant because of its size or nature.

•  it is important for the understanding of the results of the Group.

•  it relates to an aspect of the Group’s operations that is important 

to its future performance.

The notes are organised into the following sections:

•  Group structure and AWAC performance: explains the group 
structure and information about AWAC’s financial position 
and performance and its impact on the Group.

•  Financial and capital risk: provides information about the Group’s 
financial  assets  and  liabilities  and  discusses  the  Group’s 
exposure to various financial risks and explains how these 
affect the Group’s financial position and performance and what 
the Group does to manage these risks. It also describes capital 
management objectives and practices of the Group.

•  Key numbers: provides a breakdown of individual line items 
in the financial statements that the Directors consider most 
relevant and summarises the accounting policies, judgements 
and estimates relevant to understanding these line items.

•  Other Information: provides information on items, which require 
disclosure to comply with Australian Accounting Standards 
and other regulatory pronouncements. However, they are not 
considered critical in understanding the financial performance 
of the Group and are not immediately related to the individual 
line items in the financial statements.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Significant  and  other  accounting  policies  that  summarise  the 
measurement basis used and are relevant to the understanding 
of the financial statements are provided throughout the notes to 
the financial statements.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2017

ABOUT THIS REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars, 
which is Alumina Limited’s presentation and functional currency.

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional 
currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of these 
transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from 
the  settlement  of  such  transactions  and  from  the  translation 
at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the profit or 
loss, except when they are deferred in other equity as qualifying 
cash flow hedges and qualifying net investment hedges or are 
attributable to part of the net investment in a foreign operation.

The  results  and  financial  position  of  the  Group  entities  and 
associates that have a functional currency different from the 
presentation  currency  are  translated  into  the  presentation 
currency as follows:

•  assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are 
translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet.

•  income and expenses are translated at average exchange 
rates (unless this is not a reasonable approximation of the 
cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction 
dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at 
the dates of the transactions).

•  all resulting exchange differences are recognised in other 

comprehensive income.

•  on  consolidation,  exchange  differences  arising  from  the 
translation of any net investment in foreign entities, and of 
borrowings and other financial instruments designated as hedges 
of such investments, are recognised in other comprehensive 
income. When a foreign operation is sold, its proportionate 
share of such exchange differences are reclassified to the profit 
or loss, as part of the gain or loss on sale.

GROUP STRUCTURE AND AWAC PERFORMANCE

1. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Alumina Limited’s sole business undertaking is in the global bauxite, alumina and aluminium industry, which it conducts primarily 
through bauxite mining and alumina refining. All of those business activities are conducted through its 40% investments in AWAC. 
Alumina Limited’s equity interest in AWAC form one reportable segment. A full description of Alumina Limited’s business model is 
included in the Operating and Financial Review on pages 20–35 of the annual report. 

The equity interest in AWAC is represented by investments in a number of entities in different geographical locations.

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017

US$ MILLION

Investments in Associates

Assets

Liabilities

Consolidated net assets

AUSTRALIA

1,187.8

32.2

(108.9)

1,111.1

BRAZIL

747.9

9.3

–

OTHER

365.3

0.4

–

TOTAL

2,301.0

41.9

(108.9)

757.2

365.7

2,234.0

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

US$ MILLION

Investments in Associates

Assets

Liabilities

Consolidated net assets

AUSTRALIA

1,043.1

6.4

(110.9)

938.6

BRAZIL

761.2

5.1

–

OTHER

TOTAL

301.7

0.3

–

2,106.0

11.8

(110.9)

766.3

302.0

2,006.9

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2. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

(A) ALCOA WORLD ALUMINA AND CHEMICALS

Alumina Limited has an interest in the following entities forming AWAC:

NAME

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

COUNTRY OF 
INCORPORATION

PERCENTAGE 
OWNERSHIP

2017

2016

Alcoa of Australia Limited

Bauxite, alumina & aluminium production

Australia

Alcoa World Alumina LLC

Bauxite and alumina trading & production

USA

Alumina Espanola S.A.

Alumina production

Alcoa World Alumina Brasil Ltda. Bauxite and alumina production

AWA Saudi Ltda.

Bauxite and alumina production

Enterprise Partnership

Finance lender

Spain

Brazil

Hong Kong

Australia

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

The audited combined financial statements of the entities forming 
AWAC are prepared in accordance with Accounting Principles 
Generally Accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP). 
Alcoa of Australia Limited and Enterprise Partnership (AWAC 
entities) further issue audited financial statements prepared in 
accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001, 
Australian Accounting Standards and interpretations issued by 
Australian Accounting Standards Board.

For the remaining AWAC entities, adjustments are made to convert 
the accounting policies under US GAAP to Australian Accounting 
Standards.  The  principal  adjustments  are  to  the  valuation  of 
inventories from last-in-first-out basis to a basis equivalent to 
weighted average cost, to create an additional asset retirement 
obligation for dismantling, removal and restoration of certain 
refineries, differences in the recognition of actuarial gains and 
losses on certain defined pension plans and the reversal of certain 
fixed asset uplifts included in Alcoa World Alumina Brasil Ltda.

In arriving at the value of these GAAP adjustments, Management 
is required to use accounting estimates and exercise judgement in 
applying the Group’s accounting policies. The note below provides 
an overview of the areas that involved a higher degree of judgement 
or complexity.

(B) CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES  
AND JUDGEMENTS

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based 
on historical experience and other factors, including expectations 
of future events that may have a financial impact on the Group and 
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The 
resulting accounting estimates will by definition, seldom equal the 
related actual results. The estimates and judgements that have a 
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are 
disclosed below.

Retirement benefit obligations

The Group recognised a net liability for retirement benefit obligations 
under the defined benefit superannuation arrangements through 

its investment in AWAC. All plans are valued in accordance with 
AASB 119 Employee Benefits.

These valuations require actuarial assumptions to be made. All 
re-measurements are recognised in other comprehensive income.

Asset retirement obligations 

The amount of asset retirement obligations recognised under 
US GAAP by AWAC is adjusted to be in compliance with AAS. 
This requires judgemental assumptions regarding the timing of 
reclamation activities, plant and site closure and discount rates 
to determine the present value of these cash flows. 

Carrying value of investments in associates

The Group assesses at each reporting period whether there is 
objective evidence that the investment in associates is impaired by:

•  Performing an impairment indicators' assessment to consider 

whether indicators of impairment exist;

•  If indicators of impairment exist, calculating the value in use of 
the investment in AWAC using a discounted cash flow model 
(“DCF model”); and

•  Comparing the resulting value to the book value.

The key assumptions used in the DCF model to estimate future 
cash flows are those relating to future alumina and aluminium 
prices, energy prices and exchange rates. Key assumptions are 
determined with reference to industry participants and brokers’ 
forecasts, commodity and currency forward curves and industry 
consultant views.

These cash flows are then discounted to net present value using 
the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of 9.5%.

Furthermore, the following sensitivity analyses (stress testing) are 
performed over the value in use calculation:

•  Commodities, including aluminium, alumina, caustic, coal, oil and 
gas price fluctuations (plus or minus 10%). AWAC’s future cash 
flows are most sensitive to alumina price fluctuations.

•  Currency rate fluctuation (plus or minus 10%).

•  Increased WACC.

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¬ 69 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20172. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES (CONTINUED)

As a final check, the book value of the investment in associates 
is compared to Alumina Limited’s market capitalisation and to 
major analysts’ valuations.

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the 
asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The 
recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less 
costs to sell and value in use.

No indicators of impairment were identified and no impairment 
loss was recognised in the years ended 31 December 2017 and 
31 December 2016.

(C) SUMMARISED FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
FOR AWAC

The information disclosed in the tables below reflects the amounts 
presented in the AWAC financial statements amended to reflect 
adjustments made by Alumina Limited when using the equity 
method, including adjustments for differences in accounting policies.

SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEET

US$ MILLION

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Group Share as a percentage

Group Share in dollars

Goodwill

Net value of mineral rights and bauxite assets

Deferred tax liability (DTL) on mineral rights and bauxite assets

Allocation of Alba settlement 

Carrying value

Reconciliation of carrying amount:

Opening carrying value 1 January

Net additional funding/(return) in AWAC entities

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year

Dividends and distributions paid

Closing net assets

2017

1,798.8

6,171.9

(1,514.9)

(1,393.3)

5,062.5

40%

2,025.0

175.8

104.9

(34.3)

29.6

2016

1,180.4

5,726.7

(1,127.1)

(1,282.7)

4,497.3

40%

1,799.0

175.8

107.0

(34.9)

59.1

2,301.0

2,106.0

2,106.0

2,098.0

16.2

360.4

97.7

(279.3)

2,301.0

(33.9)

18.1

174.7

(150.9)

2,106.0

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20172. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES (CONTINUED)

SUMMARISED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

US$ MILLION

Revenues

Profit from continuing operations

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Group Share of profit for the year as a percentage

Group Share of profit for the year in dollars

Mineral rights and bauxite amortisation

Movement in deferred tax liability on mineral rights and bauxite assets

Share of profit from associate accounted for using equity method

Dividends and distributions received from AWAC

2017

5,274.0

904.8

904.8

244.3

1,149.1

40%

361.9

(2.1)

0.6

360.4

279.3

2016

4,057.1

48.9

48.9

436.8

485.7

40%

19.6

(2.1)

0.6

18.1

150.9

(D)  COMMITMENTS  AND  CONTINGENT  LIABILITIES 
IN RESPECT OF AWAC

St Croix proceedings

Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Lockheed”) filed a complaint (the 
“Lockheed Action”) against Virgin Islands Aluminium Company 
(“Vialco”) and its parent Glencore Xstrata Plc (“Glencore”) in the 
United States District Court, Southern District of New York following 
Lockheed’s settlement of environmental lawsuits previously brought 
by the Government of the US Virgin Islands against Lockheed and 
Vialco in connection with the past ownership and operation of the 
alumina refinery.

Glencore demanded that St Croix Alumina LLC (“SCA”) and Alcoa 
World Alumina LLC (“AWA”), AWAC entities, indemnify Glencore 
from any losses incurred as a result of the Lockheed Action under 
the 19 July 1995 Acquisition Agreement (the “1995 Agreement”) 
between Vialco and AWA pursuant to which SCA purchased the 
refinery from Vialco.  AWA denied that it owed Glencore any such 
obligation of indemnity and filed a declaratory judgement action 
in Delaware seeking clarification of its rights and obligations under 
the 1995 Agreement.

By order dated 8 February 2016, the court granted AWA’s motion 
and denied Glencore’s motion, resulting in AWA not being liable to 
indemnify Glencore for the Lockheed action. On 17 February 2016, 
Glencore filed notice of its application for interlocutory appeal of 
the 8 February ruling. AWA and SCA filed an opposition to that 
application on 29 February 2016. On 10 March 2016, the court 
denied Glencore’s motion for interlocutory appeal and on the same 
day entered judgment on claims other than Glencore’s claims 
for costs and fees it incurred in defending and settling the earlier 
Superfund action brought against Glencore by the Government of 
the Virgin Islands.

On 29 March 2016, Glencore filed a withdrawal of its notice of 
interlocutory appeal and on 6 April 2016, Glencore filed an appeal 
of the court’s 10 March 2016 judgement to the Delaware Supreme 
Court which set the appeal for argument for 2 November 2016. 
On 4 November 2016, the Delaware Supreme Court affirmed the 
judgement of the Delaware Superior Court. Remaining in the case 
were Glencore’s claims for costs and fees it incurred related to the 
previously described Superfund action.

On 7 March 2017, AWA and Glencore agreed in principle to settle 
these claims and on 17 March 2017 requested and were granted an 
adjournment of the court’s scheduled 21 March 2017 conference. 
On 5 April 2017, AWA and Glencore entered into a settlement 
agreement to resolve these remaining claims. Accordingly, on 
24 April 2017, the court dismissed the case at the request of the 
parties. The amount of the settlement was not material. This matter 
is now closed.

Other claims

There are potential obligations that may result in a future obligation 
due to the various lawsuits and claims and proceedings which 
have been, or may be, instituted or asserted against entities within 
AWAC, including those pertaining to environmental, product liability, 
safety and health and tax matters. While the amounts claimed may 
be substantial, the ultimate liability cannot now be determined 
because of the considerable uncertainties that existed at balance 
date. Also, not every plaintiff has specified the amount of damages 
sought in their complaint. Therefore, it is possible that results of 
operations or liquidity in a particular period could be materially 
affected by certain contingencies. Pursuant to the terms of the 
AWAC Formation Agreement, Arconic Inc, Alcoa Corporation and 
Alumina Limited have agreed to remain liable for Extraordinary 
Liabilities (as defined in the agreement) as well as for certain other 
pre-formation liabilities, such as environmental conditions, to the 
extent of their pre-formation ownership of the AWAC’s entity or 
asset with which the liability is associated.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20173. INVESTMENTS IN CONTROLLED ENTITIES

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Alumina Limited as at 31 December 
2017 and the results of their operations for the year then ended.

The Group has formed a trust to administer the Group’s employee share scheme. This trust is consolidated, as the substance of 
the relationship is that the trust is controlled by the Group. Shares held by the Alumina Employee Share Plan Trust are disclosed as 
treasury shares and deducted from contributed equity.

The Group’s subsidiaries at 31 December 2017 are set out below.

NAME

NOTES

PLACE OF INCORPORATION

PERCENTAGE OWNERSHIP

Alumina Employee Share Plan Pty Ltd

Alumina Finance Pty Ltd.

Alumina Holdings (USA) Inc.

Alumina International Holdings Pty. Ltd.

Alumina Brazil Holdings Pty Ltd

Alumina Limited Do Brasil SA

Alumina (U.S.A.) Inc.

Butia Participaçoes SA

Westminer Acquisition (U.K.) Limited

A

A

B

C

A

D

B

D

D

VIC, Australia

VIC, Australia

Delaware, USA

VIC, Australia

VIC, Australia

Brazil

Delaware, USA

Brazil

UK

2017

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

2016

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

A. A small proprietary company, which is not required to prepare a financial report.

B.  A company that has not prepared audited accounts because its a non-operating company or its is not required in its country of 

incorporation. Appropriate books and records are maintained for the company.

C.  The company has been granted a relief from the necessity to prepare accounts pursuant to Australian Securities and Investment 

Commission (ASIC) Class Order 2016/785. For further information refer Note 17.

D. A company that prepares separate audited accounts in the country of incorporation.

72 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬73 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017FINANCIAL AND CAPITAL RISK

4. FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

This note provides information about the Group’s financial instruments, including:

•  an overview of all financial instruments held by the Group.

•  specific information about each type of financial instrument.

•  accounting policies.

•  information about determining the fair value of the instruments.

2017

Cash and cash equivalents – Note 4(a)

Receivables

Total financial assets

Payables

Borrowings – Note 4(b)

Derivative financial instruments – Note 4(c)

Total financial liabilities

Net financial liabilities

2016

Cash and cash equivalents – Note 4(a)

Receivables

Total financial assets

Payables

Borrowings – Note 4(b)

Derivative financial instruments – Note 4(c)

Total financial liabilities

Net financial liabilities

US$ MILLION

AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH 
PROFIT OR LOS

AT AMORTISED  
COSTS

–

–

–

–

–

8.3

8.3

8.3

40.0

–

40.0

1.3

98.4

–

99.7

59.7

US$ MILLION

AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH 
PROFIT OR LOS

AT AMORTISED  
COSTS

–

–

–

–

–

16.2

16.2

16.2

8.6

0.1

8.7

1.3

92.4

–

93.7

85.0

TOTAL

40.0

–

40.0

1.3

98.4

8.3

108.0

68.0

TOTAL

8.6

0.1

8.7

1.3

92.4

16.2

109.9

101.2

The Group’s exposure to various risks associated with the financial instruments is disclosed in Note 5. The maximum exposure to 
credit risk at the end of the reporting period is the carrying amount of each class of financial assets mentioned above. The carrying 
amounts of financial assets and liabilities, other than derivative financial instruments, approximate their fair values. Derivative financial 
instruments are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

7 2¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 73 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20174. FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (CONTINUED)

(A) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short-term highly liquid 
investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are 
subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, and bank overdrafts.

Cash on hand and at bank

Money market deposits 

Total cash and cash equivalents as per the Statement of Cash Flows

(B) BORROWINGS

US$ MILLION

2017

13.1

26.9

40.0

2016

5.3

3.3

8.6

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised 
cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption amount is recognised in profit or loss over 
the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Fees paid on establishment of loan facilities are recognised as transaction costs to the extent that it is probable that some or all of 
a facility will be drawn down. In this case, the fee is deferred until the draw down occurs. To the extent there is no evidence that it is 
probable that some or all of a facility will be drawn down, the fee is capitalised as a prepayment for the liquidity services and amortised 
over the period of the facility to which it relates.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at 
least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

Bank loans

Fixed rate note

Total borrowings

Bank loans

US$ MILLION

2017

–

98.4

98.4

2016

–

92.4

92.4

During the second half of 2017 Alumina Limited rolled over and reduced a tranche of the bank facility that was due to mature in 
December 2017.

Following this renegotiation, Alumina Limited now has a US$250 million syndicated bank facility with two tranches maturing in July 
2020 (US$150 million) and October 2022 (US$100 million). As at 31 December 2017 there were no amounts drawn against the 
syndicated facility so the undrawn available facility amount as at 31 December 2017 was $250 million.

Fixed rate note

On 12 November 2014, Alumina Limited issued an A$125 million face value 5.5% fixed rate note at a discount of A$0.7 million. A change 
in the credit rating of Alumina Limited triggered a 1.75% step up in coupon from 5.5% to 7.25%, which was effective 20 November 
2016. A subsequent change in the credit rating triggered a 0.50% step down in the coupon from 7.25% to 6.75%, effective 19 May 2017. 
The note matures on 19 November 2019.  The fixed rate note has been converted to US dollar equivalents at year-end exchange rates.

74 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬75 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20174. FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (CONTINUED)

(C) DERIVATIVES

Derivatives are only used for economic hedging purposes and not as trading or speculative instruments. Derivatives are classified 
as held for trading and accounted for at fair value through profit or loss as they are not designated as hedges. They are presented as 
current assets or liabilities if they are expected to be settled within 12 months after the end of the reporting period.

To provide an indication about the reliability of the input used in determining the fair value, the Group has classified its financial 
instruments into three levels prescribed under the accounting standards. An explanation of each level follows underneath the table.

US$ MILLION

2017

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

Cross-currency interest rate swap (CCIRS AUD/USD)

Total financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

2016

Cross-currency interest rate swap (CCIRS AUD/USD)

Total financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

–

–

–

–

8.3

8.3

16.2

16.2

–

–

–

–

8.3

8.3

16.2

16.2

Level 1: 

 Financial instruments traded in active markets (such as publicly traded derivatives, trading and available for sale securities) 
for which the fair value is based on quoted market prices at the end of the reporting period.

Level 2: 

 Financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, over the counter derivatives) for which the 
fair value is determined using valuation techniques which maximise the use of observable market data and rely as little as 
possible on entity specific estimates.

Level 3:  If one or more of the significant inputs is not observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3.

5. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

This note explains the Group’s exposure to financial risks and how these risks could affect the Group’s future financial performance.

RISK

EXPOSURE ARISING FROM

MEASUREMENT

MANAGEMENT

Cash flow forecasting & 
sensitivity analysis

Cross-currency interest 
rate swaps

Market risk: foreign currency

Market risk: interest rate

Financial assets and 
liabilities denominated in 
currency other than US$

Long-term borrowings at 
fixed rates

Sensitivity analysis

Credit risk

Liquidity risk

Cash and cash equivalents, 
and derivative financial 
instruments

Credit ratings

Borrowings and other 
liabilities

Cash flow forecasting

Cross-currency interest 
rate swaps

Credit limits, letters 
of credit, approved 
counterparties list

Availability of committed 
borrowing facilities

Financial  risk  management  is  carried  out  by  the  Treasury  Committee  which  is  responsible  for  developing  and  monitoring  risk 
management policies. Risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Group to set appropriate 
risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly 
to reflect changes in market conditions and the Group’s activities.

7 4¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 75 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20175. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(A) MARKET RISK

Foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk for the Group arises when future commercial transactions and recognised assets and liabilities are denominated 
in a currency that is not the Group’s functional currency.

The fixed rate note is issued in Australian dollars. To mitigate the exposure to the AUD/USD exchange rate and Australian interest 
rates the Group entered into CCIRS for the full amount of the face value of the fixed rate note to swap the exposure back to US dollars.

Except as described above, the Group generally does not hedge its foreign currency exposures except through the near-term purchase 
of currency to meet operating requirements. 

The Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk at the end of the reporting period, as expressed in US$, was as follows:

2017

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial (liabilities)/assets

Derivative financial instruments (notional principal)

Net financial assets/(liabilities)

2016

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial (liabilities)/assets

Derivative financial instruments (notional principal)

Net financial assets/(liabilities)

USD

29.5

–

29.5

–

–

–

29.5

(108.4)

(78.9)

USD

3.8

–

3.8

–

–

–

3.8

(108.4)

(104.6)

US$ MILLION

AUD

OTHER

1.7

–

1.7

1.3

98.4

99.7

(98.0)

108.4

10.4

8.8

–

8.8

–

–

–

8.8

–

8.8

TOTAL

40.0

–

40.0

1.3

98.4

99.7

(59.7)

–

(59.7)

US$ MILLION

AUD

OTHER

TOTAL

0.1

0.1

0.2

1.3

92.4

93.7

(93.5)

108.4

14.9

4.7

–

4.7

–

–

–

4.7

–

4.7

8.6

0.1

8.7

1.3

92.4

93.7

(85.0)

–

(85.0)

76 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬77 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20175. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk

The Group’s main interest rate risk arises from its borrowings.

Borrowings by the Group at variable rates expose it to cash flow interest rate risk. Borrowings at fixed rates would expose the Group 
to fair value interest rate risk. When managing interest rate risk the Group seeks to reduce the overall cost of funds. Group policy is 
to generally borrow at floating rates subject to availability of attractive fixed rate deals.

In 2017 and 2016, CCIRS for the whole face value of the fixed rate note were used to manage the exposure to Australian interest rates 
over the life of the note.

A change in credit rating for Alumina Limited triggered a 1.75% step up in coupon from 5.5% to 7.25%, which was effective 20 
November 2016. To cover the increased interest rate exposure one of the original CCIRS was amended and an additional CCIRS was 
entered into. A subsequent change in credit rating triggered a 0.50% step down in the coupon from 7.25% to 6.75%, effective 19 
May 2017. Existing CCIRS were amended to manage the changed interest rate exposure.

The consolidated entity’s exposure to interest rate risk and the effective weighted interest rate after the effect of derivative instruments 
is set out below:

2017

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial (liabilities)/assets

Weighted average interest rate before derivatives

Weighted average interest rate after derivatives

2016

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial (liabilities)/assets

Weighted average interest rate before derivatives

Weighted average interest rate after derivatives

US$ MILLION

FLOATING 
INTEREST

FIXED 
INTEREST

NON-INTEREST 
BEARING

TOTAL

40.0

–

40.0

1.3

98.4

99.7

–

–

–

1.3

–

1.3

(1.3)

(59.7)

40.0

–

40.0

–

–

–

40.0

2.8%

2.8%

–

–

–

–

98.4

98.4

(98.4)

6.9%

4.9%

US$ MILLION

FLOATING 
INTEREST

FIXED 
INTEREST

NON-INTEREST 
BEARING

TOTAL

8.6

–

8.6

–

–

–

8.6

1.6%

1.6%

–

–

–

–

92.4

92.4

(92.4)

5.8%

3.4%

–

0.1

0.1

1.3

–

1.3

(1.2)

8.6

0.1

8.7

1.3

92.4

93.7

(85.0)

7 6¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 77 

Had interest rates on floating rate debt during 2017 been one percentage point higher/lower than the average, with all other variables 
held constant, pre-tax profit for the year would have been US$0.7 million lower/higher (2016: US$0.6 million lower/higher).

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20175. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(B) CREDIT RISK

Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits with banks and financial institutions, 
as well as credit exposures to customers, including outstanding receivables and committed transactions. For banks and financial 
institutions, only independently rated parties with a minimum rating of ‘A-‘ are accepted, and exposure limits are assigned based on 
actual independent rating under Board approved guidelines.

Credit risk further arises in relation to cross guarantees given to wholly owned subsidiaries (see Note 17 for details). Such guarantees 
are only provided in exceptional circumstances and are subject to Board approval. 

The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, net of any allowances for losses, represent the Group’s 
maximum exposure to credit risk.

(C) LIQUIDITY RISK

Prudent liquidity risk management requires maintaining sufficient cash and credit facilities to ensure the Group’s commitments and 
plans can be met. This is managed by maintaining committed undrawn credit facilities to cover reasonably expected forward cash 
requirements. Management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group’s liquidity, including undrawn borrowing facilities and cash and 
cash equivalents on the basis of expected cash flows.

The Group had the following undrawn borrowing facilities at the end of the reporting period: The Group had the following undrawn 
borrowing facilities at the end of the reporting period:

Expiring within one year

Expiring beyond one year

Total undrawn borrowing facilities

The table below details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities.

US$ MILLION

2017

–

250.0

250.0

2016

150.0

150.0

300.0

2017

Trade payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Derivative financial liabilities

2016

Trade payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Derivative financial liabilities

US$ MILLION

LESS THAN 6 
MONTHS

6–12  
MONTHS

1–2  
YEARS

2–5 
YEARS

TOTAL

1.3

–

1.3

–

1.3

–

1.3

–

–

–

–

-

–

–

–

–

–

98.4

98.4

8.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

92.4

92.4

16.2

1.3

98.4

99.7

8.3

1.3

92.4

93.7

16.2

78 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬79 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20176. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

(A) RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s objective when managing capital is to safeguard the ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to 
provide returns for shareholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain future 
development of the business. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of dividends 
paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The Group calculates the gearing ratio as net debt divided by total capital. Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less cash and 
cash equivalents. Total capital is calculated as ‘equity’ as shown in the balance sheet plus debt.

The gearing ratios at 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016 were as follows:

Total borrowings

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

Total borrowings

Total equity

Total capital

Gearing ratio 

(B) DIVIDENDS

Interim dividend of US4.2 cents fully franked at 30% per fully paid share declared 24 August 
2017 and paid on 14 September 2017 (2016: US2.9 cents fully franked at 30% per fully paid 
share declared 24 August 2016 and paid on 15 September 2016)

Final dividend of US3.1 cents fully franked at 30% per fully paid share declared 23 February 
2017 and paid on 22 March 2017 (2016: US1.8 cents fully franked at 30% per fully paid share 
declared 25 February 2016 and paid on 23 March 2016)

Total dividends

US$ MILLION

2017

98.4

(40.0)

58.4

98.4

2,234.0

2,332.4

2.5%

2016

92.4

(8.6)

83.8

92.4

2,006.9

2,099.3

4.0%

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

120.9

83.5

89.3

51.8

210.2

135.3

Since the year-end the Directors have recommended the payment of a final dividend of US9.3 cents per share (2016: US3.1 cents per 
share), fully franked based on the tax paid at 30%. The record date to determine entitlements to the dividend was 28 February 2018. 
The aggregate amount of the dividend paid on 15 March 2018 out of retained earnings at 31 December 2017, but not recognised as a 
liability at the year-end, was $267.8 million.

7 8¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 79 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20176. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(C) FRANKED DIVIDENDS

Franking credits available for subsequent financial years, based on a tax rate of 30% (2016: 30%)

388.5

A$ MILLION

2017

2016

347.5

The above amounts are calculated from the balance of the franking credits as at the end of the reporting period, adjusted for franking 
credits and debits that will arise from the settlement of liabilities and receivables for income tax and dividends after the end of the year.

The fully franked dividends received from AWAC in the financial year were

US$ MILLION

2017

278.1

2016

150.2

KEY NUMBERS

7. EXPENSES

(A) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EXPENSE

Liabilities for salaries and annual leave are recognised in current provisions (i.e. short-term employee benefits), and are measured as 
the amount unpaid at reporting date at expected pay rates in respect of employees’ services up to that date, including related on-costs.

The liability for long service leave is recognised in the provision for employee benefits and measured as the present value of expected 
future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date. Consideration is given to expected 
future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are discounted 
using market yields at the end of the reporting period of high-quality corporate bonds with terms to maturity and currency that match, 
as closely as possible, the estimated future cash flows.

All employees of Alumina Limited are entitled to benefits on retirement, disability or death from the Group’s superannuation plan. 
Alumina Limited’s employees are members of the Alumina Limited Super Plan managed by MLC MasterKey Super, except for 
employees who elected to contribute to an alternate fund. The plan is an accumulation category plan which offers a minimum 
Company contribution  of 9.5 per cent of basic salary to each member’s account. Members also have the option to make voluntary 
contributions to their account. Employer contributions to these funds are recognised as an expense.

Profit/(loss) before income tax included the following specific expenses:

Defined contribution superannuation expense

Other employee benefits expense

Total employee benefits expense

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

0.2

6.5

6.7

0.2

5.8

6.0

8 0 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬81 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20177. EXPENSES (CONTINUED)

(B) FINANCE COSTS

Finance costs comprise interest payable on borrowings using the effective interest rate method, commitment fees and amortisation 
of capitalised facility fees.

Finance costs:

Interest expense

Commitment and upfront fees

Amortisation of capitalised upfront fees

Total finance costs

8. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

(A) INCOME TAX EXPENSE AND DEFERRED TAXES

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

4.7

2.1

1.5

8.3

6.5

2.0

0.6

9.1

The income tax expense/benefit for the period is the tax payable/receivable on the current period’s taxable income based on the 
applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction adjusted by charges in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary 
differences and to unused tax losses.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting period in 
the countries where the Company’s subsidiaries and associates operate and generate taxable income.

Current tax

Deferred tax

Aggregate income tax expense

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

–

–

–

–

–

–

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets 
and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates 
(and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the reporting date and are expected to apply when the related deferred 
income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable that future taxable 
amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are not recognised for temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax bases of 
investments in controlled entities where the parent entity is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences 
and it is probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and 
when the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and liabilities are offset where the entity has a 
legally enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Alumina  Limited  and  its  wholly-owned  Australian  controlled  entities  have  implemented  the  tax  consolidation  legislation.  As  a 
consequence, these entities are taxed as a single entity and the deferred tax assets and liabilities of these entities are set off in the 
consolidated financial statements.

8 0¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 81 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20178. INCOME TAX EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

The Group’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

Deferred tax liabilities

Unrealised foreign exchange gains

Total deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax assets

Employee benefits

Derivative financial instruments

Other

Total deferred tax assets other than tax losses

Net deferred tax (liabilities)/assets before tax losses

Deductible temporary differences and tax losses not recognised

Net deferred tax (liabilities)/assets

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

2.8

2.8

0.2

2.5

0.1

2.8

–

–

–

4.6

4.6

0.3

0.4

0.2

0.9

(3.7)

3.7

–

Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent of deferred tax liabilities existing at reporting date. Remaining deferred tax 
assets are not recognised as it is not probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences 
and losses.

(B) NUMERICAL RECONCILIATION OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE TO PRIMA FACIE TAX PAYABLE

Profit/(loss) before income tax

Prima facie tax (expense)/benefit for the period at the rate of 30%

The following items caused the total charge for income tax to vary from the above:

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

339.8

(101.9)

(30.2)

9.1

Share of equity accounted profit not assessable for tax

(360.4)

(18.1)

Foreign income subject to accruals tax

Share of Partnership income assessable for tax

Timing differences not recognised

Tax losses not recognised

Previously unrecognised tax losses now recouped to reduce current tax expense

Non-deductible expenses

Net movement

Consequent decrease/(increase) in charge for income tax

Aggregate income tax expense

4.7

0.8

–

11.2

–

3.9

(339.8)

101.9

–

2.8

3.0

–

26.3

(0.2)

16.4

30.2

(9.1)

–

8 2¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬83 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20178. INCOME TAX EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

(C) TAX EXPENSE RELATING TO ITEMS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Current and deferred tax balances attributable to amounts recognised directly in other comprehensive income and equity are also 
recognised directly in other comprehensive income and equity.

Cash flow hedges

Actuarial gains on retirement benefit obligations

Total tax expense relating to items of other comprehensive income

(D) TAX LOSSES

Tax losses – revenue

Tax losses – capital

Total unused tax losses

Potential tax benefit – revenue

Potential tax benefit – capital

Total potential tax benefit

9. EQUITY

(A) CONTRIBUTED EQUITY

US$ MILLION

2017

10.6

3.5

14.1

2016

2.4

2.3

4.7

US$ MILLION

2017

1,053.3

951.5

2016

973.9

951.5

2,004.8

1,925.4

345.6

285.4

631.0

319.1

285.4

604.5

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a 
deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

MOVEMENT IN SHARE CAPITAL

NUMBER OF SHARES

US$ MILLION

Balance brought forward

Movement for the period

Total issued capital

Treasury shares

2017

2016

2017

2016

2,879,843,498

2,879,843,498

2,682.9

2,682.9

–

–

–

–

2,879,843,498 2,879,843,498

2,682.9

2,682.9

Treasury shares are Alumina Limited shares held by the Alumina Employee Share Plan Trust for the purpose of issuing shares 
under the Alumina Employee Share Plan.

MOVEMENT IN TREASURY SHARES

NUMBER OF SHARES

US$ MILLION

Balance brought forward

Shares acquired by Alumina Employee Share Plan Pty 
Ltd (average price: A$1.84 per share (2016: A$1.37 per 
share))

2017

1,856

2016

61,717

2017

2016

1,905

1,413,606

1,484,568

1,508,604

2,040,374

1,558,319

Employee performance rights vested

(785,979)

(1,568,465)

(1,135,406)

(2,970,020)

Total treasury shares

700,445

1,856

906,873

1,905

8 2¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 83 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20179. EQUITY (CONTINUED)

The weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator in the calculation of basic earnings per share is 
calculated as the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, adjusted for treasury 
shares issued.

NUMBER OF SHARES

2017

2016

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator in the 
calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share

2,878,924,467

2,879,474,499

(B) OTHER RESERVES

Other Reserves include assets revaluation reserve, capital reserve, option premium on convertible bonds reserve, share-based 
payments reserve, cash-flow hedge reserve and foreign currency translation reserve. 

Foreign currency translation reserve

The  foreign  currency  translation  reserve  represents  exchange  differences  arising  on  the  translation  of  non-US  dollar  functional 
currency operations within the Group into US dollars.

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Currency translation differences arising during the year

Balance at the end of the financial year

10. CASH FLOW INFORMATION

(A) RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT/(LOSS) AFTER INCOME TAX 
TO NET CASH (OUTFLOW)/INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Profit/(loss) from continuing operations after income tax

Share of net profit of associates accounted for using equity method

Dividends and distributions received from associates

Share based payments

Other non-cash items (depreciation, net exchange differences, other)

Sub-total

Change in assets and liabilities

Decrease/(increase) in receivables

Decrease/(increase) in other assets

(Decrease)/increase in payables

(Decrease)/increase in current tax liability

Net cash inflow from operating activities

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

(1,192.2)

88.0

(1,104.2)

(1,370.7)

178.5

(1,192.2)

US$ MILLION

2017

339.8

(360.4)

279.3

0.9

(1.4)

258.2

0.1

1.2

–

–

259.5

2016

(30.2)

(18.1)

150.9

0.9

16.7

120.2

(0.1)

0.3

(0.4)

–

120.0

8 4¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬85 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 201710. CASH FLOW INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(B) NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES

There were no non-cash financing or investing activities in the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016.

(C) NET DEBT RECONCILIATION

This section sets out an analysis of net debt and the movements in net debt for each of the periods presented.

Cash and cash equivalents

Borrowings – repayable after one year

Net debt

Cash and liquid investments

Gross debt – fixed interest rates

Net debt

Net debt as at 1 January 2016

Net cash flows

Foreign exchange adjustments

Other non-cash movements

Net debt as at 31 December 2016

Cash flows

Foreign exchange adjustments

Other non-cash movement

Net debt as at 31 December 2017

US$ MILLION

2017

40.0

(98.4)

(58.4)

40.0

(98.4)

(58.4)

US$ MILLION

CASH/BANK 
OVERDRAFT

BORROWINGS 
DUE WITHIN 
1 YEAR

BORROWINGS 
DUE AFTER 
1 YEAR

2016

8.6

(92.4)

(83.8)

8.6

(92.4)

(83.8)

TOTAL

9.3

(3.0)

2.3

–

8.6

31.1

0.3

–

40.0

(20.0)

20.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(90.5)

(101.2)

–

0.8

(2.7)

(92.4)

–

(7.4)

1.4

17.0

3.1

(2.7)

(83.8)

31.1

(7.1)

1.4

(98.4)

(58.4)

8 4¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 85 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017OTHER INFORMATION

11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The parent entity within the Group is Alumina Limited. Balances 
and transactions between the parent entity and its subsidiaries 
have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in 
this note.

(A) OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN RELATED PARTIES

Interests held in the following classes of related parties are set 
out in the following notes:

•  associates – Note 2.

•  controlled entities – Note 3.

(B) COMPENSATION OF KEY 
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

Detailed remuneration disclosures for the key management 
personnel, defined as Group Directors, CEO and Senior Executives, 
are provided in the remuneration report on pages 38 to 61 of this 
annual report.

The  remuneration  report  has  been  presented  in  Australian 
dollars,  whilst  the  financial  report  has  been  presented  in 
US  dollars.  The  average  exchange  rate  for  2017  of  0.7667 
(2016: 0.7439) has been used for conversion.

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment and termination benefits

Share based payments

Total

US$

2017

2016

3,977,082

4,242,211

923,735

807,349

141,834

708,137

5,708,166

5,092,182

(C) OTHER TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES WITH RELATED PARTIES

There have been no other related party transactions made during the year or balances outstanding as at 31 December 2017, 
between the Group, its related parties, the Directors or key management personnel (2016: Nil).

12. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

The Group provides benefits to employees (including CEO and Senior Executives) through share based incentives. Employees are 
incentivised for their performance in part through participation in the grant of conditional entitlement to fully paid ordinary shares 
(a Performance Right) via the Alumina Limited Employee Share Plan (ESP).

For further details on key features of the ESP refer to the remuneration report on pages 59 to 61 of this annual report.

Set out below are summaries of performance rights granted under the ESP.

2017

Grant Date

 Vesting Date

5/1/2015

19/2/2016

20/1/2017

1/6/2017

Total

11/12/2017

7/12/2016

11/12/2019

31/5/2020

Balance at 
start of the 
year  
Number
689,866

1,004,737

Granted 
during the 
year  
Number
–

–

–

–

708,400

141,900

Vested  
during the 
year  
Number
(491,411)

–

–

–

Lapsed  
during the 
year  
Number
(198,455)

(165,073)

(201,913)

Balance at 
end of the 
year  
Number
–

839,664

506,487

–

141,900

1,694,603

850,300

(491,411)

(565,441)

1,448,051

8 6¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬87 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20172016

Grant Date

 Vesting Date

8/2/2013

10/2/2014

5/1/2015

19/2/2016

Total

7/12/2015

6/12/2018

11/12/2017

7/12/2018

Balance at 
start of the 
year  
Number

Granted 
during the 
year  
Number

687,768

1,110,770

694,250

–

–

–

–

1,016,250

Vested  
during the 
year  
Number

(687,768)

(1,109,102)

–

–

Lapsed  
during the 
year  
Number

–

(1,668)

(4,384)

Balance at 
end of the 
year  
Number

–

–

689,866

(11,513)

1,004,737

2,492,788

1,016,250

(1,796,870)

(17,565)

1,694,603

The weighted average remaining contractual life of performance rights outstanding at the end of the period was 2.4 years 
(2016: 2.6 years).

In addition to the ESP, the CEO’s fixed remuneration includes an annual share right component. This share based component of the 
CEO’s fixed remuneration is conditional on a minimum of 12 months service and deferred for three years from the date of the grant.

For further details refer to the remuneration report on page 42 of this annual report.

Total expenses arising from share-based payment transactions recognised during the period as part of employee benefits expense 
were as follows:

Performance rights granted under the Alumina Employee Share Plan

CEO annual conditional share rights grant

Retired CEO annual conditional share rights grant

Total

US$ 000’s

2017

556

104

217

877

2016

645

–

154

799

13. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

During the period the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by the auditor of the parent entity, and its related 
practices and non-related audit firms:

PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia: 
Audit and review of the financial reports

Other assurance services

Related practices of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia:

Overseas taxation services

Total 

US$ 000’s

2017

395

3

8

406

2016

383

32

8

423

It is the Group’s policy to employ PricewaterhouseCoopers on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties where 
PricewaterhouseCoopers’ expertise and experience with the Group are important provided such arrangements do not compromise 
audit independence. These assignments are principally tax advice or where PricewaterhouseCoopers is awarded assignments 
on a competitive basis.

8 6¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 87 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 201714. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Capital commitments

There are no contractual capital commitments at reporting date but there could be future equity calls by AWAC entities in relation 
to working capital support. However, this is subject to market conditions.

Contingent Liabilities

There are no contingent liabilities of the Group as at 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016, other than as disclosed in Note 
2(d) and Note 16. 

15. EVENTS OCCURRING AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

Except as disclosed in the Director’s report or elsewhere in the Financial Statements, there have been no significant events 
occurring since 31 December 2017.

Please refer to Note 6(b) for the final dividend recommended by the Directors.

16. PARENT ENTITY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The financial information for the parent entity has been prepared 
on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements, except 
as set out below.

Intercompany Loans

Loans granted by the parent entity to its subsidiaries are classified 
as non-current assets.

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint venture entities.

Tax consolidation legislation

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint venture entities 
are accounted for at cost in the financial statements of Alumina 
Limited. Dividends received from associates are recognised in the 
parent entity’s profit or loss, rather than being deducted from the 
carrying amount of these investments.

Where the parent entity has provided financial guarantees in 
relation to loans and payables of subsidiaries for no compensation, 
the  fair  values  of  these  guarantees  are  accounted  for  as 
contributions and recognised as part of the cost of the investment.

Alumina Limited and its wholly-owned Australian controlled 
entities  have  implemented  tax  consolidation  legislation. 
The head entity, Alumina Limited, and the controlled entities 
in the tax consolidated Group account for their own current 
and deferred tax amounts. These tax amounts are measured 
as  if  each  entity  in  the  tax  consolidated  Group  continues 
to  be  a  standalone  taxpayer  in  its  own  right.  In  addition  to 
its own current and deferred tax amounts, Alumina Limited 
also  recognises  the  current  tax  liabilities  (or  assets)  and 
the  deferred  tax  assets  arising  from  unused  tax  losses  and 
unused  tax  credits  assumed  from  controlled  entities  in  the 
tax consolidated Group.

(A) SUMMARISED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The individual financial statements for the parent entity show the following aggregate amounts:

BALANCE SHEET

Current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Total liabilities

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Issued capital

Reserves

Retained earnings

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

US$ MILLION

2017

32.2

3,861.5

1.7

114.5

2,682.9

236.9

827.2

3,747.0

258.7

258.7

2016

7.8

3,815.1

1.7

116.3

2,682.9

237.2

778.7

3,698.8

101.8

101.8

8 8 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬89 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017(B) GUARANTEES ENTERED INTO 
BY THE PARENT ENTITY

The parent entity has provided guarantees to certain third parties 
in relation to the performance of contracts by various AWAC 
companies.

In order to facilitate the full conversion of the San Ciprian alumina 
refinery from fuel oil to natural gas, in October 2013, Alumina 
Espanola SA (Espanola) signed a take or pay gas pipeline utilisation 
agreement.  In  November  2013,  Alumina  Limited  agreed  to 
proportionally (i.e. 40%) guarantee the payment of Espanola’s 
contracted gas pipeline utilisation over the four years of the 
commitment period. Such commitment came into force six months 
after the gas pipeline was put into operation. The gas pipeline 
was completed in January 2015 and the refinery has switched to 
natural gas consumption for 100% of its needs.

There is also a guarantee to Banco di Bilbao in respect of Espanola’s 
bank facility.

In  late  2011,  Alcoa,  on  behalf  of  AWAC,  issued  guarantees 
to the lenders of the Ma’aden bauxite mining/refining joint 
venture in Saudi Arabia. Alcoa Corporation guarantees for the 
Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company cover total debt service 
requirements through 2019 and 2024. 

In the event Alcoa would be required to make payments under 
the guarantees, 40% of such amount would be contributed by 
Alumina Limited.

In addition, the parent entity has entered into a Deed of Cross 
Guarantee with the effect that it guarantees the debts of its wholly-
owned subsidiaries. Further details of the Deed of Cross Guarantee 
are disclosed in Note 17.

No liability was recognised by the parent entity of the group in 
relation to the abovementioned guarantees, as the fair values of 
the guarantees are immaterial.

(D) CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 
OF THE PARENT ENTITY

The parent entity did not have any contingent liabilities as at 31 
December 2017 or 31 December 2016. For information about 
guarantees given by the parent entity refer above.

(E) CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS FOR 
THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY, 
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

There  are  no  contractual  commitments  by  the  parent 
entity  for  the  acquisition  of  property,  plant  and  equipment 
as at 31 December 2017.

17. DEED OF CROSS GUARANTEE

Alumina  Limited  and  Alumina  International  Holdings  Pty.  Ltd.  are  parties  to  a  cross  guarantee  under  which  each  of  these 
companies  guarantees  the  debts  of  the  other.  By  entering  into  the  deed,  wholly-owned  entities  have  been  relieved  from 
the requirement to prepare a financial report and directors’ report under Class Order 2016/785 (as amended) issued by the 
Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

The above companies represent a “closed group” as defined in the Class Order, and there are no other parties to the deed of cross 
guarantee that are controlled by Alumina Limited, they also represent the “extended closed group”.

(A) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND SUMMARY 
MOVEMENTS IN CONSOLIDATED RETAINED EARNINGS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

US$ MILLION

Dividends and distributions

Other income

General and administrative expenses

Change in fair value of derivatives/foreign exchange losses

Finance costs

Profit from ordinary activities before income tax

Income tax expense

Net profit for the year

Other comprehensive income net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year

MOVEMENT IN CONSOLIDATED RETAINED EARNINGS

Retained profits at the beginning of the financial year

Net profit for the year

Dividend provided for or paid

Retained profits at the end of the financial year

8 8¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

2017

279.3

0.3

(13.3)

0.6

(8.4)

258.5

–

258.5

–

258.5

2017

646.2

258.5

(210.2)

694.5

2016

150.9

0.2

(25.3)

(14.8)

(9.2)

101.8

–

101.8

–

101.8

2016

679.7

101.8

(135.3)

646.2

¬ 89 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 201717. DEED OF CROSS GUARANTEE (CONTINUED)

(E) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Other assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Investment in associates

Other financial assets

Property, plant and equipment

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Payables

Provisions

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Reserves

Retained profits

Total equity

US$ MILLION

2017

2016

31.2

124.8

1.0

157.0

1,669.6

1,902.2

0.1

3,571.9

3,728.9

1.4

0.3

1.7

104.0

8.3

0.5

112.8

114.5

3.9

72.9

2.4

79.2

1,669.6

1,933.6

0.1

3,603.3

3,682.5

1.3

0.4

1.7

97.8

16.2

0.5

114.5

116.2

3,614.4

3,566.3

2,682.9

2,682.9

237.0

694.5

237.2

646.2

3,614.4

3,566.3

9 0 ¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬91 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 201718. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND 
INTERPRETATIONS NOT YET ADOPTED

The Group does not expect a material impact from 
implementation of AASB 15.

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been 
published that are not mandatory for the 31 December 2017 
reporting period and have not been early adopted by the Group. 
The Group’s assessment of the impact of these new standards 
and interpretations is set out below:

AASB 15 REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH 
CUSTOMERS (EFFECTIVE 1 JANUARY 2018)

The AASB has issued a new standard for the recognition of revenue. 
AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers replaces AASB 
118 which covers contracts for goods and services and AASB 111 
which covers construction contracts. The new standard is based on 
the principle that revenue is recognised when control of a good or 
a service transfers to a customer. Therefore, the notion of control 
replaces the existing notion of risks and rewards. The standard 
permits a modified retrospective approach for the adoption. Under 
this approach entities will recognise transitional adjustments to 
retained earnings on the date of initial application (e.g. 1 January 
2017), i.e. without restating the comparative period. They will only 
need to apply the new rules to contracts that are not completed 
as of the date of initial application. The standard is not applicable 
until 1 January 2018 but is available for early adoption.

DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

In the Directors’ opinion:

AASB 16 LEASES (EFFECTIVE 1 JANUARY 2019)

The new standard will replace AASB 117 Leases. Once effective, 
the new requirements will apply to new and pre-existing lease 
arrangements. The key changes have been outlined below:

•  Lessees will recognise a lease liability reflecting future lease 
payments  and  a  ‘right-of-use  asset’  for  virtually  all  lease 
contracts (optional exemption available for certain short-term 
leases and leases of low-value assets).

•  Lessees will have to present interest expense on the lease 
liability and depreciation on the right-of-use assets in their 
income statement.

•  Lease payments that reflect interest on the lease liability can 
be presented as an operating cash flow. Cash payments for 
the principal portion of the lease liability should be classified 
within financing activities. Payments for short-term leases 
and for leases of low-value assets could be presented within 
operating activities.

The Group is in the process of assessing the impact of AASB 16.

a)  the financial statements and notes set out on pages 60 
to 91 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, 
including:  

The financial statements also comply with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board.

(i) complying with Accounting Standards, the Corporations 
Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting 
requirements; and 

The Directors have been given the declarations by the Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by section 
295A of the Corporation Act 2001.

(ii) giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s 
financial position as at 31 December 2017 and of its 
performance for the financial year ended on that date; and

b)  there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company 
will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due 
and payable; and

c)  at the date of this declaration, there are reasonable grounds 
to believe that the members of the Extended Closed Group 
identified in Note 3 will be able to meet any obligations or 
liabilities to which they are, or may become, subject by virtue 
of the deed of cross guarantee described in Note 17.

This  declaration  is  made  in  accordance  with  a  resolution 
of the Directors.

GJ PIZZEY 
Chairman 
22 March 2018

9 0¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 91 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

To the members of Alumina Limited

REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL REPORT

OUR OPINION 

In our opinion:  
The accompanying financial report of Alumina Limited (the Company) and its controlled entities 
(together, the Group) is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

a)  giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 31 December 2017 and of its 

financial performance for the year then ended  

b) complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001.

WHAT WE HAVE AUDITED

The Group financial report comprises:

•  the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2017

•  the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year then ended 

•  the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended

•  the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended 

•  the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies 

•  the Directors’ declaration.

BASIS FOR OPINION 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further 
described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report section of our report. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

INDEPENDENCE

We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and the 
ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants 
(the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with the Code.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757

2 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK VIC 3006, GPO Box 1331, MELBOURNE VIC 3001

T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

9 2¬
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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬93 

¬93 

 
 
OUR AUDIT APPROACH

An  audit  is  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  financial  report  is  free  from  material  misstatement.  
Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error.  They are considered material if individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial report.

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial report as 
a whole, taking into account the geographic and management structure of the Group, its accounting processes and controls and the 
industry in which it operates. 

Alumina Limited’s (Alumina) sole business undertaking is investing globally in bauxite mining, alumina refining with some minor 
alumina-based chemical businesses and aluminium smelting operations. All of these business activities are conducted through 
Alumina’s 40% investment in several entities which collectively form Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC). Alcoa Corporation 
owns the remaining 60% of AWAC and is the manager of these business activities. Alumina participates in AWAC through the 
Strategic Council, which consists of three members appointed by Alcoa Corporation and two members appointed by Alumina. As 
Alumina does not control or operate the AWAC assets, its role involves strategic investment management on behalf of its shareholders. 
Accordingly, this investment has been determined to be an associate and is accounted for by the equity method.

Materiality

Key audit 
matters

Audit Scope

MATERIALITY

AUDIT SCOPE

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

•   Amongst other relevant topics, we 
communicated the following key 
audit matters to the Audit and Risk 
Management Committee: 

•  Equity accounting for Alumina’s 

investment in AWAC

•  Impairment indicator assessment 
for Alumina’s equity accounted 
investment in AWAC

•   These are further described 

in the Key audit matters section 
of our report.

•   For the purpose of our audit we used 
an overall materiality of $22 million, 
which represents approximately 1%  
of the Group’s total assets.

•   We applied this threshold, together 
with qualitative considerations, to 
determine the scope of our audit and 
the nature, timing and extent of our 
audit procedures and to evaluate 
the effect of misstatements on the 
financial report as a whole.

•   We chose total assets as a benchmark 

primarily because of the nature of 
Alumina’s operations, noting that it is 
a generally accepted benchmark for 
investment management companies.  

•  We selected 1% based on our 

professional judgement, noting that it is 
within a range of commonly accepted 
thresholds.

•  Component auditors assisted in 

performing audit work over the AWAC 
financial statements on behalf of the 
Group engagement team. Specific 
instructions were issued to the 
component audit teams, including risk 
analysis and materiality.

•  We audited the equity accounting for 

Alumina’s 40% investment in AWAC.  
This process included auditing certain 
adjustments made by Alumina to 
convert the AWAC results (which were 
prepared under US GAAP), to comply 
with Australian Accounting Standards 
(AAS).

•  We audited the remainder of Alumina’s 

financial report. 

•  Our audit also focused on where the 
Group made subjective judgements; 
for example, significant accounting 
estimates involving assumptions and 
inherently uncertain future events.

9 2¬

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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017
Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 93 
¬ 93 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial report 
for the current period.  The key audit matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in 
forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.  Further, any commentary on the outcomes 
of a particular audit procedure is made in that context.

KEY AUDIT MATTER

HOW OUR AUDIT ADDRESSED 
THE KEY AUDIT MATTER

Equity accounting for Alumina’s investment in AWAC

(Refer to note 2 in the financial report)

Alumina’s equity accounted investment in AWAC is carried at 
$2.3 billion and its share of the net profit of AWAC accounted 
for using the equity method is $360 million.

AWAC accounts are prepared under US Generally Accepted 
Accounting  Principles  (US  GAAP).  There  are  significant 
differences  between  US  GAAP  and  AAS.  For  AWAC 
entities other than Alcoa of Australia Limited and Enterprise 
Partnership,  which  already  prepare  accounts  under  AAS, 
adjustments are required to convert amounts accounted for 
under US GAAP to comply with AAS.

 We determined the equity accounting to be a key audit matter 
because of the magnitude of the Investment in associates 
balance and the complexity of the adjustments required by 
the Group to convert amounts accounted for under US GAAP 
to AAS.

Judgement  is  involved  in  determining  the  differences  in 
the accounting for areas such as the valuation of inventory, 
asset  retirement  obligation  provisions  and  defined  benefit 
superannuation plans.  In arriving at the value of these US 
GAAP  to  AAS  adjustments,  the  Group  is  required  to  use 
accounting estimates and significant judgement.

Impairment  indicator  assessment  for  Alumina’s  equity 
accounted investment in AWAC

(Refer to note 2c in the financial report)

Alumina’s equity accounted investment in AWAC ($2.3 billion) 
is  the  most  material  balance  sheet  item  in  the  consolidated 
financial report.

We therefore focused on the assessment which was performed 
by  Alumina  to  determine  whether  there  was  any  objective 
evidence that the equity accounted investment in AWAC could 
be impaired as at 31 December 2017.

The long term alumina price is the key assumption to which the 
valuation of AWAC is most sensitive.

Alumina’s  conclusion  was  that  there  was  no  indicator  for 
impairment for the year ended 31 December 2017.

To assess the equity accounting of Alumina’s 40% investment 
in AWAC, we performed the following procedures amongst 
others:

•  Agreed the equity accounting schedule prepared by the 

Group to the financial statements of AWAC (as audited by 
component auditors under our instruction).

•  Assessed the appropriateness and completeness of 

material US GAAP to AAS adjustments.

•  Considered whether other transactions that had occurred 
during the year required a different treatment under AAS 
compared with US GAAP.

•  Reconciled the opening equity accounted investment 

balance to the final position reflected in the financial report.  
To do this we:
•  Recalculated the share of net profit and changes in reserves 

of AWAC by examining the audited AWAC financial 
statements and recalculating Alumina’s 40% share.
•  Compared dividends, distributions and capital returns 

received from AWAC and additional investments made 
through cash calls to the relevant declaration documents 
and bank statements.

•  We also evaluated the impairment indicator assessment 
performed by the Group in relation to the investment 
balance (refer to the following Key audit matter).

•  To evaluate the Group’s impairment indicator assessment 
of the AWAC investment we performed the following 
procedures amongst others:

•  Developed an understanding of the process by which the 
Group conducted the impairment indicator assessment.

•  Compared the Group’s long term alumina price 

assumption to economic analyst and industry forecasts.  
We found that the long term alumina price assumption 
used by the Group was consistent with market data and 
industry research.

•  Compared the Group’s market capitalisation to its net 
assets as at 31 December 2017, noting that market 
capitalisation exceeded net assets by approximately 
$3.2 billion.

•  Evaluated the Group’s assessment of whether there were 
any other external or internal sources of information that 
could indicate that the investment may be impaired.

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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬95 

OTHER INFORMATION

The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included 
in the Group’s annual report for the year ended 31 December 2017, including:

• At a Glance

•  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s Report

•  Sustainability 

•  Board of Directors

•  Director’s Report

•  Operating and Financial Review

•  Letter by Chair of the Compensation Committee

•  Shareholder Information

•  Financial History

but does not include the financial report and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information identified above and, 
in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our knowledge 
obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, 
we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE FINANCIAL REPORT

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in 
accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 and for such internal control as the Directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial report, the Directors are responsible for assessing the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors 
either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL REPORT

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion.  Reasonable assurance is a 
high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will 
always detect a material misstatement when it exists.  Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, 
individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis 
of the financial report. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the Auditing and Assurance Standards 
Board website at: http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar1.pdf.  This description forms part of our audit report.

9 4¬

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 95 

REPORT ON THE REMUNERATION REPORT

OUR OPINION ON THE REMUNERATION REPORT

We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 38 to 61 of the Directors’ report for the year ended 31 December 2017. 

In our opinion, the remuneration report of Alumina Limited for the year ended 31 December 2017 complies with section 300A of the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the remuneration report in accordance with 
section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the remuneration report, based on our 
audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

JOHN O’DONOGHUE 
Partner 
Melbourne 
22 MARCH 2018

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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬97 

 
 
DETAILS OF SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHAREHOLDERS LISTED SECURITIES – 28 FEBRUARY 2018

Alumina Limited has 2,879,843,498 issued fully paid ordinary shares.

SIZE OF SHAREHOLDING AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2018

Range

1-1,000

1,001-5,000

5,001-10,000

10,001-100,000

100,001 Over

Total

Total Holders

Units

% of Issued Capital

18,000

18,783

5,884

6,070

333

49,697

8,496,227

46,357,743

43,662,082

151,139,024

2,630,188,422

2,879,843,498

0.30

1.61

1.52

5.25

91.32

100.00

Of these, 5,124 shareholders held less than a marketable parcel of $500 worth of shares (225) a total of 642,691 shares. In accordance 
with ASX Business Rules, the last sale price on the Company’s shares on the ASX on 28 February 2018 was used to determine the 
number of shares in a marketable parcel.

Rank Total Holders

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUST)

J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA LIMITED

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LTD

CITIC RESOURCES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

BESTBUY OVERSEAS CO LTD

NATIONAL NOMINEES

BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 

BESTBUY OVERSEAS CO LTD

CITIC RESOURCES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

CITIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

MORGAN STANLEY AUSTRALIA SECURITIES (NOMINEE) PTY LIMITED 

33,257,475

BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 

UBS NOMINEES PTY LTD

31,736,951

30,891,180

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 

15,565,323

ARGO INVESTMENTS LIMITED

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED  

AMP LIFE

SHARE DIRECT NOMINEES PTY LTD <10026 A/C>

NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED 

20

AUSTRALIAN FOUNDATION

% Units

838,057,497

29.10

486,989,648

274,617,688

219,617,657

154,114,590

105,529,948

76,296,076

76,145,410

59,282,343

39,799,208

12,429,285

11,744,182

11,720,098

8,964,000

7,308,737

6,413,142

16.91

9.54

7.63

5.35

3.66

2.65

2.64

2.06

1.38

1.15

1.10

1.07

0.54

0.43

0.41

0.41

0.31

0.25

0.22

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017
Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 97 
¬ 97 

Totals: Top 20 holders of ORDINARY FULLY PAID SHARES (Total)

Total Remaining Holders Balance

2,500,480,438 86.83

379,363,060

13.17

Each shareholder is entitled on a show of hands to vote and on a poll one vote for each share held. 

The Company does not have a current on market buy-back of its shares. There are no restricted securities or securities subject to 
voluntary escrow.

During the reporting period, 1,484,568 Alumina Limited fully paid ordinary shares were purchased on market by the Alumina Employee 
Share Plan at an average price of $1.8373.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2018

SHAREHOLDING

CITIC Resources Australia Pty. Ltd.

Perpetual Investments Limited

Allan gray Australia Pty. Ltd.

Lazard Asset Management Pacific Limited

547,459,208

213,057,448

200,735,119

151,332,501

%

19.01

7.40

6.97

5.25

Alumina Limited's shares trade on the Australian Securities Exchange and also trades as American Depositary Receipts in the US on 
the OTCQX market.

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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬99 

Financial History

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Alumina Limited Annual Report 2017

¬ 99 
¬ 99 

ALUMINA LIMITED AND CONTROLLED ENTITIESAS AT 31 DECEMBER 2017US$ MILLIONS2016US$ MILLIONS2015US$ MILLIONS2014US$ MILLIONS2013US$ MILLIONSRevenue from continuing operations0.60.60.10.10.3Share of net profit/(loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method360.418.1109.9(73.6)(97.4)Other income–––1.5137.1General and administrative expenses(13.6)(25.7)(11.9)(13.5)(17.2)Change in fair value of derivatives/foreign exchange losses0.7(14.1)(3.2)1.63.0Finance costs(8.3)(9.1)(6.6)(13.6)(25.3)Income tax (expense)/benefit from continuing operations–––(0.8)–Net (loss)/profit attributable to owners of Alumina Limited339.8(30.2)88.3(98.3)0.5Total assets2,342.92,117.82,110.72,543.22,964.0Total liabilities108.9110.9127.8119.2170.6Net assets2,234.02,006.91,982.92,424.02,793.4Shareholders’ funds2,234.02,006.91,982.92,424.02,793.4Dividends paid210.22135.3171.2––Dividends received from AWAC278.1150.261.416.0100.0StatisticsDividends declared per ordinary shareUS13.5cUS6.0cUS6.3cUS1.6c–3Dividend payout ratio 62%–202%––Return on equity115.8%(1.5)%3.9%(3.5)%0.02%Gearing (net debt to equity)2.5%4.0%4.8%3.45%4.6%Net tangible assets backing per share$0.69$0.61$0.60$0.77$0.911 Based on net (loss)/profit attributable to owners of Alumina Limited.2  Final dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2016, declared and paid in 2017 and interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017, declared and paid in 2017.3 No interim or final dividend declared for the year ended 31 December 2013.Neither  Alumina  Limited  nor  any  other  person  warrants  or  guarantees  the 

future performance of Alumina Limited or any return on any investment made in 

Alumina Limited securities. This document may contain certain forward-looking 

statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the US 

Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995.  The  words  “anticipate”,  “aim”, 

“believe”,  “expect”,  “project”,  “estimate”,  “forecast”,  “intend”,  “likely”,  “should”, 

“could”,  “will”,  “may”,  “target”,  “plan”  and  other  similar  expressions  (including 

indications of “objectives”) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 

Indications  of,  and  guidance  on,  future  financial  position  and  performance  and 

distributions,  and  statements  regarding  Alumina  Limited’s  future  developments 

and the market outlook, are also forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statements contained  in this document are not guarantees 

of  future  performance.  Such  forward-looking  statements  involve  known  and 

unknown  risks,  uncertainties  and  other  factors,  many  of  which  are  beyond  the 

control of Alumina Limited and its directors, officers, employees and agents that 

may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in 

such  statements.  Those  risks,  uncertainties  and  other  factors  include  (without 

limitation): (a) material adverse changes in global economic conditions, alumina 

or aluminium industry conditions or the markets served by AWAC; (b) changes 

in  production  or  development  costs,  production  levels  or  sales  agreements;  (c) 

changes  in  laws,  regulations  or  policies;  (d)  changes  in  alumina  or  aluminium 

prices or currency exchange rates; (e) Alumina Limited does not hold a majority 

interest  in  AWAC  and  decisions  made  by  majority  vote  may  not  be  in  the  best 

interests of Alumina Limited; and (f) the other risk factors summarised in Alumina 

Limited’s  Annual  Report  2017.  Readers  should  not  place  undue  reliance  on 

forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Alumina Limited disclaims 

any  responsibility  to  update  or  revise  any  forward-looking  statements  to  reflect 

any new information or any change in the events, conditions or circumstances on 

which a statement is based or to which it relates.

Design ERD.COM.AU  Print BAMBRA PRESS

—

ALUMINA LIMITED

ABN 85 004 820 419 
Registered Corporate Head Office 
Level 12, IBM Centre 60 City Road 
Southbank Victoria 3006 Australia

GPO Box 5411 
Melbourne Victoria 3001 Australia 
Telephone +61 (0)3 8699 2600 
Facsimile +61 (0)3 8699 2699 
Website www.aluminalimited.com 
Email info@aluminalimited.com

—

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

BNY Mellon shareowner services telephone 
and internet correspondence: 
Toll free number (for callers within the USA) 
1-888-BNY-ADRS (1-888-269-2377) 
Telephone (for non-US callers) +1 201-680-6825 
Website: www.bnymellon.com/shareowner 
Email: shrrelations@cpushareownerservices.com

Shareowner correspondence should be mailed to: 
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services 
P.O. Box 505000 
Louisville, KY 40233-5000

Overnight Shareowner correspondence 
should be mailed to: 
462 South 4th Street Suite 1600 
Louisville, KY 40202 
UNITED STATES

—

SHARE REGISTRY

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited 
Yarra Falls 452 Johnston Street 
Abbotsford Victoria 3067 Australia

GPO Box 2975 
Melbourne Victoria 3001 Australia 
Telephone +61(0)3 9415 4027 
Or 1300 556 050 (for callers within Australia) 
Facsimile +61(0)3 9473 2500 
Email web.queries@computershare.com.au

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