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Alumina

awc · ASX Basic Materials
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FY2019 Annual Report · Alumina
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CONSISTENCY 

AMIDST 

CHANGE

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

03

About Alumina Limited

04

At a Glance

06

CHAIRMAN AND CEO REPORT

12

SUSTAINABILITY

14

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

20
Operating and  
Financial Review

30
Alumina Limited 
Financial Review

36
Letter by Chair 
of Compensation 
Committee

38
Remuneration
Report

62

FINANCIAL REPORT

91

DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

92

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

98

Financial History

CONSISTENCY 

AMIDST 

CHANGE

In an ever-changing market, Alumina Limited remains  
consistently focused on maintaining its unique position  
in the world alumina industry.

A clear strategy today, delivering consistent 
rewards tomorrow. 

1

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019The Company’s strong balance sheet and joint venture 
distribution arrangements have been crucial in delivering 
another year of healthy dividends to shareholders.

2

The Annual Report is presented in US dollars, 
unless otherwise specified.

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 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 venture partner and operator is Alcoa 
Corporation. The AWAC joint venture was formed in 1994 
and our relationship with Alcoa dates back to the early 
1960s when Western Mining Corporation (now called 
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. 

WMC 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 was created on 11 December 2002  
when WMC Limited’s alumina assets were demerged 
from the nickel, copper and fertilizer businesses  
(WMC Resources Limited).

The demerger has enabled investors to benefit  
directly from the full value of the bauxite, alumina  
and aluminium business.

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

3

AT A GLANCE

In 2019 Alumina Limited posted a profit after 
tax of $214 million compared to the record  
net profit of $635.4 million in 2018. Excluding 
significant items of $113 million, the net profit 
after tax would have been $327 million (2018: 
$690 million). Net receipts from AWAC totalled 
$420.9 million (2018: $678.2 million).

The Company declared a fully franked final 
dividend of 3.6 US cents per share, bringing 
the full year dividend to 8.0 US cents per share.

ALUMINA LIMITED RESULTS

It was a solid result in a year that experienced a  
softening alumina market leading to a steady decline  
in the Alumina Price Index (API). The average realised 
alumina price in 2019 declined 25 per cent to $336  
per tonne. In 2019, AWAC sold about 94 per cent of  
its smelter-grade alumina on an alumina index or  
spot pricing basis. 

The API in 2019 was adversely impacted by lower than 
expected smelter demand, additional alumina supply 
following the ramp up of the Alunorte refinery in Brazil 
returning from its forced 50 per cent curtailment in 2018, 
and also additional supply from other refineries.

Despite softer prices, record production at AWAC’s  
tier 1 low cost refineries has enabled it to deliver strong 
margins and returns. This enabled the Company to  
record a strong result, return cash to shareholders,  
and maintain a strong balance sheet.

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

4

$214.0m

2019 NET PROFIT AFTER TAX
2018: $635.4 MILLION

$420.9m

2019 NET CASH RECEIPTS
2018: $678.2 MILLION

8.0 cents per share

2019 DIVIDENDS
2018: 22.7 CENTS PER SHARE

$54.8m

NET (CASH)/DEBT
2018: ($95.8) MILLION

AWAC – A Global Business

$565.1m

AWAC NET PROFIT AFTER TAX
2018: $1,640.2 MILLION

$336/tonne

2019 REALISED ALUMINA PRICE
2018: $447 PER TONNE

$906.3m

AWAC CASH FROM OPERATIONS
2018: $1,969.6 MILLION

$1,586.0m

AWAC EBITDA 
EXCL SIGNIFICANT ITEMS
2018: $2,796.8 MILLION

AWAC RESULTS (USGA AP)

In 2019, AWAC recorded a net profit after tax of $565.1 million compared to  
a net profit after tax of $1,640.2 million in 2018. The decline in profit was due to  
a softening market price for alumina. AWAC’s EBITDA for 2019 was $1,260.7 million  
(2018: $2,630.1 million) and excluding significant items, relating mainly to the 
announced closure of the Point Comfort refinery, would have been $1,586.0 million 
(2018: $2,796.8 million).

In 2019 AWAC’s average realised alumina price was  
$336 per tonne (2018: $447 per tonne).

AWAC benefited from record annual alumina production 
of 12.6 million tonnes (by the existing refinery portfolio) 
and a seven per cent improvement in the average cost  
of production to $210 per tonne (2018: $226 per tonne).

Alumina Limited is the 40 per cent partner in the AWAC 
joint venture whose assets comprise, globally leading 
bauxite mines and alumina refineries in Australia, Brazil 
and other countries. AWAC also has a 55 per cent interest 
in the Portland aluminium smelter in Victoria Australia.

AWAC’s 60 per cent managing partner is Alcoa 
Corporation. The AWAC joint venture was formed in  
1994 and our relationship with Alcoa dates back to 1961. 
Alumina Limited was created on 11 December 2002  
when WMC Limited’s alumina assets were demerged 
from the nickel, copper and fertilizer businesses.

The demerger has enabled investors to benefit  
directly from the full value of the bauxite, alumina  
and aluminium business.

5

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019Chairman and CEO Report

Alumina Limited (“Alumina”) has reported a third successive year 
of strong returns for shareholders. Following the record results in 
2018 the Company reported a profit of $214.0 million and distributed 
fully franked dividends to shareholders of US 8.0 cents.

6

Alumina’s Strategy

The benefits of the Company’s unique exposure to 
alumina in the aluminium supply chain is gaining greater 
appreciation and recognition. This follows several years 
of consistent performance and the renegotiation of the 
AWAC JV agreement in 2016, which saw the Company’s 
position in the joint venture strengthened.

Mr W Peter Day

Mr Michael Ferraro

Alumina’s business model is relatively straightforward:

Alumina owns 40% of the AWAC  
joint venture, whose assets include  
the low cost, long life bauxite mines 
and alumina refineries built on the 
extensive bauxite resources of the 
Darling Ranges in Western Australia. 

When a business such as AWAC enjoys 
the strong alumina price that existed  
in the first half of 2019, it assures a  
very good result. In the second half  
the alumina market was more subdued 
but nevertheless the quality of AWAC’s 
tier one low cost alumina refineries 
ensured a solid outcome for the year. 

 We have a 40% interest in the AWAC joint venture 
which owns alumina refineries positioned toward the 
bottom end of the cost curve. This low-cost position 
has been maintained for a long period.

 We are focused on the alumina part of the aluminium 
supply chain. 

 We offer investors a relatively undiluted exposure to 
the alumina market with AWAC selling predominantly 
at the market driven alumina price indices (API), 
reflecting global alumina market fundamentals.

 Alumina’s balance sheet and low debt provides 
investors a direct and transparent exposure to AWAC’s 
strong cash flows and the alumina price. This also 
allows the Company to navigate changing industry 
conditions and cycles.

Accordingly, we continue to have confidence in the quality 
of the AWAC assets and the attractiveness of alumina and 
bauxite markets. The WA refineries are well-placed to 
grow with their existing infrastructure and low-cost 
position. AWAC’s growth options will continue to be 
assessed in 2020.

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

7

A Year Reflecting AWAC’s Quality Assets

AWAC’s alumina assets again demonstrated their ability 
to deliver solid returns through the cycle. AWAC had  
94 per cent of its smelter grade alumina sales priced  
at API. This meant the benefits of favourable alumina 
prices in the first half flowed through to AWAC. 

The average API for the 2019 year was $332 per tonne as 
alumina prices weakened in the second half due to 
increased global supply. This compared with an average 
price of $473 per tonne in 2018. The lower prices in the 
second half of 2019 were due to both increased alumina 
supply and lower-than-expected demand, resulting in 
a modest alumina surplus. 

AWAC maintained its low-cost position during the year, 
with its cost of alumina production falling by 7 per cent. 
Cash margins for AWAC were a healthy $126 per tonne  
of alumina for the year.

AWAC’s alumina production of 12.6 million tonnes in 2019 
represented an increase of 400,000 tonnes compared to 
the previous year. 

AWAC’s bauxite mines are long life and low cost, 
providing consistent production and profits year on year. 
AWAC produced 40.7 million bone dry tonnes (BDT) of 
bauxite in 2019, a 3.8 per cent increase from 2018. 

The Company’s results and AWAC operating performance 
are discussed in more detail in the operating and 
financial review.

Alumina Markets 

Alumina pricing in 2019 reflected the fundamentals of 
global alumina markets. In Brazil, the Alunorte refinery 
had curtailed 50% of its capacity in 2018 following 
extreme rainfall and consequent environmental issues. 
This continued to impact the global alumina market in the 
first half of 2019. However, in May 2019 it was announced 
that Alunorte would restart its idled capacity, triggering  
the beginning of a decline in alumina prices.

For the first time in a decade, in 2019, world primary  
and semi-fabricated aluminium consumption contracted. 
Global primary metal consumption and aluminium 

semi-fabricated consumption fell by just under 1% 
respectively. Transportation, machinery and equipment 
sectors led the decline, particularly automotive. A stagnant 
construction and electrical industry, as well as a poor 
macroeconomic environment, all contributed.

Over the longer term, aluminium demand is forecast  
to continue to grow through economic expansion and 
increasing intensity of use. For example, in developed 
countries it is expected that more stringent environmental 
requirements, to reduce emissions and waste and to 
promote increased efficiencies, will lead to greater 
light weighting of transport and electric vehicles. In 
developing economies, such as India and in South-East 
Asia, aluminium demand growth is expected through 
greater urbanisation leading to more investment in 
infrastructure and construction.

However, if ongoing, the effects of the COVID-19 on  
global economic activity and markets will likely have a 
countervailing impact on the demand for aluminium.

Energy

The energy supply arrangements for the Portland 
aluminium smelter expire in mid-2021. The smelter in recent 
years has not been contributing to the profitability of the 
Company. Energy prices in Eastern Australia continue to 
be very high and there have been more interruptions to 
power supply than in the past. The future of the smelter 
is dependent upon identifying a long-term lower cost 
and reliable energy solution. Efforts continue to develop  
a solution to this issue.

AWAC’s Western Australian refineries utilise gas from the 
North West Shelf for their energy source. This long term, 
competitive energy supply has been a critical part of 
AWAC’s strength.

The WA gas markets have, like most commodities, 
operated cyclically. Over the next few years there will be 
increases in AWAC’s energy costs as supply contracted 
during less favourable periods takes effect. The WA gas 
market cycle has recently been more favourable to 
purchasers and this should benefit AWAC over the 
medium to long term.

8

CHA IRMAN  A ND  CE O REPORT

Sustainability

Governance

Environmental, health and safety management by  
AWAC is continually seeking to meet higher standards. 
The Company strengthened its own governance regime 
by establishing a Board Sustainability Committee during 
the year which will provide a platform for greater review 
of sustainability issues. 

In 2019 the Company issued its Climate Change Position 
Statement and has been working with Alcoa on AWAC’s 
climate change strategy.

We are working with AWAC to:

•  establish GHG targets for our refineries;

•   identify and assess climate change risks and 

opportunities and undertake scenario analysis; 

•   align disclosures with the recommendation of the  

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure; and

•   evaluate technological and abatement measures  

to reduce environmental impacts.

In 2020 there will be an increased emphasis on sustainability 
oversight and management. This forms a central part of 
Alumina Limited’s strategy going forward. Conservation of 
natural resources, such as water, and reducing CO2 emissions 
intensity, are a critical part of our business objectives.

The Remuneration Report reviews the Company’s 
remuneration strategy, policy and outcomes. The Company’s 
2019 Remuneration Report provides full details of the CEO 
and the Senior Executives’ objectives and an assessment 
of performance against those objectives. 

The Company has updated its governance practices to 
adopt the revisions to the 4th Edition of the Corporate 
Governance Principles and Recommendations of the ASX 
Corporate Governance Council. This has involved updating 
the Company’s Board and Committee Charters, diversity 
objectives and risk framework. A copy of the 2019 Corporate 
Governance Statement is available on the Company website. 
Alumina’s compliance with the Corporate Governance 
Principles and Recommendations is set out in the 
Appendix 4G lodged with the ASX.

In 2020 there will be an increased emphasis  
on sustainability oversight and management.  
This forms a central part of Alumina Limited’s  
strategy going forward.

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

9
9

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019The quality of our tier one bauxite mines and alumina 
refineries in Western Australia was evident again in 2019.  
The Company’s low leverage and improved joint venture 
position ensured their performance provided a healthy 
level of dividends to shareholders.

10

CHA IRMAN  A ND  CE O REPORT

Capital Management / Shareholder Returns

Alumina received $420.9m in net cash distributions from 
AWAC in 2019 (2018: $678.2m). As a result Alumina has 
been able to pay most of its free cash flow to shareholders 
by way of dividends. This enabled payment of a final 
dividend of US3.6 cents per share, bringing the total 
declared dividends for the year to US8.0 cents per share. 
Although this is less than the dividends paid in 2018,  
it represents a yield of 5.0 per cent to shareholders for 
2019. The outlook for dividends in 2020 will be affected  
by the lower alumina prices since mid-2019 and the 
impact of COVID-19.

Alumina Limited has been a consistent source of strong 
dividends over the last 3 years. Dividends since 2017  
have delivered an average yield for shareholders of  
8.6 per cent per annum, not including franking.

Alumina’s debt is currently at low levels and gearing  
is 3.0%. The Company’s low debt level enables cash 
received from AWAC to be readily distributed to 
shareholders. The Company’s A$125m Corporate Bond 
matured in 2019. The Bond was repaid utilising bank 
facilities. As at 31 December 2019 the Company had 
undrawn debt facilities of US$280 million with  
maturities ranging from 2022 to 2024. 

Board and Management

The Board was pleased to approve the appointment  
of Mr Grant Dempsey as Chief Financial Officer of the 
Company in July 2019. Ms Galina Kraeva acted as Interim 
Chief Financial Officer in the first half and had a 
substantial impact in the role.

It was with much sadness we report that two of the 
Company’s great figures, Sir Arvi Parbo and Don Morley, 
passed away in 2019. They were both long serving Chairs 
of the Company who had an enormous influence on its 
progress, and success. 

Conclusion

The quality of our tier one bauxite mines and alumina 
refineries in Western Australia was evident again in 2019. 
The Company’s low leverage and improved joint venture 
position ensured their performance provided a healthy 
level of dividends to shareholders.

After 3 years of favourable global alumina markets we 
have seen a weakening in market conditions and prices. 
There have been serious and far reaching developments 
from the impact of COVID-19 for Australia and the Western 
World leading into late March. It appears the level of 
Western world economic activity will decline substantially 
in 2020. These developments have been rapid, and it is 
currently extremely difficult to assess the implications  
for the industry and the Company. However, if ongoing 
for a substantial period, the effects from COVID-19 on 
global economic activity and markets would likely have  
a material flow-on negative impact on aluminium demand. 
This is likely to have potential impacts on alumina and 
aluminium prices. 

We remain focused on having our AWAC joint venture 
interest continue to deliver value to shareholders. The 
Board thanks the employees of Alumina Limited and 
AWAC for their work in 2019. 

W Peter Day • Chairman

Mike Ferraro • Chief Executive Officer

11

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019Sustainability

Sustainable, responsible business, environmental and societal practices have  
long been a foundation and guiding principle of AWAC operations. Guidelines  
have been established to put the safety of employees, contractors and the 
community firmly ahead of production and to focus on limiting the environmental 
impact of the operations, especially in restoration of mined areas. 

The knowledge and understanding of sustainability risks 
and opportunities and practices is constantly evolving.  
To strive to be at the forefront of responsible sustainable 
practices requires an organisation to reassess and rethink 
its processes, policies, objectives and procedures.

In 2019, a number of sustainability-based initiatives  
were considered and actions taken.

Governance

Due to the increasing scope and importance of 
sustainability matters the Board decided to establish  
a Sustainability Committee, effective 1 January 2020. 

The Sustainability Committee has broad responsibilities 
with regard to sustainability, climate change and health 
and safety and will provide a platform for more focussed 
review of material sustainability issues. The Committee 
also provides a clear sustainability governance structure 
to strengthen efforts on Environment, Social and 
Governance (ESG) policies and commitments, 

management activities, and deeper engagement with 
Alcoa (AWAC’s operator/manager). A Charter for the 
Sustainability Committee has been approved and 
can be reviewed on the Company web site.

Continuing engagement of the Board on sustainability 
matters was also a priority in 2019. The Board of Directors 
participated in two workshop sessions on climate change 
prepared by external consultants, covering topics such as 
climate science, policies and targets, energy and carbon 
markets, corporate approaches and global climate 
change negotiations.

Alumina Limited interacted with Alcoa on a global review 
of AWAC storage impoundments. Two recent failures of 
non-AWAC impoundments in Brazil that resulted in loss 
of life and environmental contamination highlight the 
critical importance of maintaining safe and stable 
impoundments. Changes to the governance structure  
for the management of dams have been implemented 
within AWAC.

12

AWAC facilities will also become subject to the International 
Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) guiding principles 
and assurance processes following Alcoa’s initiation of 
membership of the ICMM and its commitment to meeting 
and adhering to the ICMM’s Sustainable Development 
Framework. Alignment to the ICMM principles will 
progressively occur over a two-year period.

In 2019 Alumina Limited released its Climate Change 
Position Statement and is working with Alcoa towards 
a climate change strategy and action plan in regards  
to the AWAC operations, including scenario analysis 
and risk assessment. 

Performance

AWAC’s portfolio of alumina refineries has the lowest  
CO2 intensity among the industries’ largest operators.

Since 2015, the combined GHG intensity (per tonne of 
aluminium produced) of AWAC’s refineries and smelter, 
has reduced by 13.5 per cent. In absolute volumes on  
a full facility basis, 2.67 million tonnes of GHG has been 
eliminated in the period between 2015 and 2018. The 
reduction has been achieved through a mix of:
•   targeted curtailment, closure or divestment of less 
efficient assets (eg. closure of Suriname and Point 
Comfort refineries);

•   abatement measures including transitioning the  

San Ciprian refinery in Spain from dependence on  
fuel oil to natural gas;

•  efficiency and process improvements.

However, in the longer term, a step change in technology 
or energy utilisation will be required to make significant 
inroads into reducing GHG emissions in refining operations. 
The fundamental process for alumina refining has not 
significantly changed in 100 years. The alumina refining 
process is energy intensive, requiring high temperatures 
(up to 1,000C). Alumina refineries around the world burn 
some form of fuel to generate the heat, steam and pressure 
required. Approximately 82 per cent of AWAC’s alumina 
refineries energy is produced by natural gas, a much more 
environmentally friendly fuel source than coal or oil used 
by some other producers. Also, the majority of AWAC’s 
bauxite is gibbsite, which can be digested in the refining 
process at lower temperatures, thereby using less energy 
and saving emissions per tonne of alumina.

AWAC continues to explore means of improving its 
sustainability practices. AWAC is assisting research  
into the application of solar thermal energy to provide 
heat and reduce the consumption of natural gas. The 
research indicates the potential to utilise solar thermal 
energy; however it is yet to be determined if it is 
commercially viable. 

A more detailed analysis of AWAC sustainability 
performance can be found in the Company’s 
Sustainability Update on the Company website.

Lowest refinery CO2 emission intensity among major producers (includes direct and indirect emissions, in 2019)

AWAC refineries

RoW refineries

Chinese refineries

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

Average: 1.3

6.8

Cumulative Alumina Production Mt

Source: CRU

13

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIRECTORS’ 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 2019 (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:  
W P Day (Chairman), E R Stein, C Zeng, D O’Toole,  
J Bevan and M P Ferraro (Managing Director and  
Chief Executive Officer)

Board of Directors

The Company’s Directors in office as at 31 December  
2019 were:

MR W PETER DAY     Mr Day was appointed as a Director 
of the Company on 1 January 2014 and was appointed 
Chairman of the Board on 1 April 2018. He is a member  
of the Nomination, Compensation and Audit & Risk 
Management Committees and Chair of the Sustainability 
Committee (effective 1 January 2020). Mr Day is also 
currently a Non-Executive Director of Ansell (appointed 
August 2007), Non-Executive Chairman of Australian 
Unity Investment Real Estate (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 Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Amcor 
Limited. He also supports initiatives in disability services 
and mentoring.

MS EMMA R STEIN     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), Infigen Energy Limited 
(appointed September 2017) and Adelaide Brighton Ltd 
(appointed October 2019). 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. 

14

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 former Chair of the Nomination Committee 
(from 22 June 2017 to 31 March 2018) and a member of the 
Sustainability Committee (effective 1 January 2020). 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 15 years’ 
experience as a listed Non-Executive Director and  
Board Committee Chair for capital intensive companies 
spanning resources, oil and gas and related sectors.

MR CHEN ZENG     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) and 
the Sustainability Committee (effective 1 January 2020). 
Mr Zeng is also currently a Director and Chairman (appointed 
July 15 2019) of of CITIC Pacific Limited, Chief Executive 
Officer and Chairman (appointed July 15 2019) of CITIC 
Pacific Mining and Chief Executive Officer of CITIC Mining 
International, the holding company of CITIC Pacific Mining 
and also DAH Chong Hong Holdings Ltd (as of January 
2019, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of CITIC Pacific). 
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 July 2007–
October 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 Chief Executive Officer (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 31 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.

MS DEBORAH O’TOOLE     Ms O’Toole was appointed as 
a Director on 1 December 2017. She is a member of the 
Nomination Committee, the Compensation Committee, 
the Sustainability Committee (effective 1 January 2020) 
and Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee 
(from 1 April 2018). 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 CFO of three ASX listed companies: 
MIM Holdings Limited, Queensland Cotton Holdings 
Limited and, most recently, Aurizon Holdings Limited.

MR JOHN A BEVAN     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, Sustainability 
Committee (effective 1 January 2020) and the Nomination 
Committee and Chair of the Nomination Committee from 
1 April 2018. Mr Bevan is currently a Director and Chairman 
of BlueScope Steel Limited (appointed March 2014), a 
Director and 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 (June 2008 
– December 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.

MR MICHAEL FERRARO     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 global 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.

15

MR W PETER DAY

LLB (HONS), MBA, FCA,  
FCPA, FAICD
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Victoria based

MS EMMA R STEIN

BSC (PHYSICS) HONS,MBA, 
FAICD, HON FELLOW WSU
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
New South Wales based

MR CHEN ZENG

MIF
Non-Executive Director
Western Australia based

MS DEBORAH O’TOOLE

LLB, MAICD
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Queensland based

MR JOHN A BEVAN 

BCom
Non-Executive Director
New South Wales based

MR MICHAEL FERRARO

LLB (HONS) 
Managing Director and 
Chief Executive Officer
Victoria based

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019COMPANY SECRETARY 
MR STEPHEN FOSTER

BCOM LLB (HONS) 
GDIPAPPFIN (SEC INST)

GRADDIP CSP, ACIS
General Counsel/ 
Company Secretary

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, 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. 

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; and 
•  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 below.

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 56 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 56 of this report.

Insurance of Officers

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.

Alumina Limited Directors’ Attendance at Meetings January to December 2019

Board 
Meeting

Board 
Committee 
Meetings

Audit and Risk 
Committee 
Meetings

Compensation 
Committee 
Meetings

Nominations 
Committee 
Meetings

Directors

Eligible  
to attend

Attended

Eligible  
to attend

Attended

Eligible  
to attend

Attended

Eligible  
to attend

Attended

Eligible  
to attend

Attended

E R Stein

C Zeng

P Day

M Ferraro1

D O’Toole

J Bevan

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

8

8

8

8

8

8

4

4

4

4

4

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

8

8

8

8

4

4

4

4

3

3

3

3

1.  Mr Ferraro is Managing Director and CEO and is not a member of the Committees of the Board however may attend in his capacity as CEO.

16

 
DIRE CTORS’  REP ORT

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 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(b) 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 2019 financial  
year attributable to members of the Company was 
US$214.0 million profit (2018: US$635.4 million profit). 
Excluding significant items, there would have been a net 
profit after tax of US$326.6 million (2018: US$689.9 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. The market outlook and guidance on 
pages 33-35, does not take into account the potential 
impact to the relevant factors as a result of COVID-19.

17

Matters Subsequent to the end of the  
Financial Year

Other than as reported in Note 15 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements (refer to page 87), 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 2019.

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 (including the 
Operating and Financial Review on pages 20 to 35 of this 
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 2019. 

Environmental Regulation

AWAC’s Australian operations are subject to various 
Commonwealth and state laws governing the protection 
of the environment in areas such as air and water quality, 
waste emission and disposal, environmental impact 
assessments, mine rehabilitation, and access to and  
use of ground water. In particular, most operations are 
required to be licensed to conduct certain activities  
under the environmental protection legislation of the 
state in which they operate, and such licences include 
requirements specific to the subject site. Alumina  
Limited is a non-operating joint venture partner that 
holds a 40 per cent interest in AWAC, a global enterprise. 
Alumina Limited annually reports its equity interest in 
the greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption 
to the CDP and on an AWAC basis in the Company’s 
Sustainability Update (Report). More information on 
environmental performance is included in the 
Company’s latest Sustainability Update available 
online at www.aluminalimited.com.

Rounding of Amounts

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 Changes in the State of Affairs

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

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019Auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers continues in office, in accordance 
with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act). 
For a copy of the Auditor’s Independence Declaration as 
required under section 307C of the Corporations Act refer 
to the adjacent declaration.

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. 

Corporate Governance Statement

The Company has, for the 2019 reporting year, elected  
to disclose the Corporate Governance Statement only  
on the Company’s website. 

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 2019, 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
24 March 2020

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

18

Alumina Limited has a 40 per cent joint venture 
interest in tier one long life alumina refineries. 
Shareholders have continued to benefit from these 
assets even as alumina markets change.

19

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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 is extracted from  
audited financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles  
generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP).

* Ras Al-Khair

• San Ciprian

• Western Australia

• Kwinana 
• Pinjarra
• Wagerup

• Portland

* CBG

* Al Ba’itha

• Western Australia

• Huntly   • Willowdale

20

* MRN

• Juruti

Bauxite mine

Refinery

Smelter

* Non-AWAC operated

• AWAC operated

• Alumar

* Ras Al-Khair

• San Ciprian

• Western Australia

• Kwinana 

• Pinjarra

• Wagerup

• Portland

* CBG

* Al Ba’itha

• Western Australia

• Huntly   • Willowdale

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

28

30

33

* MRN

• Juruti

Bauxite mine

Refinery

Smelter

* Non-AWAC operated
• AWAC operated

• Alumar

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 a clean 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 otherwise 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.

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 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.

A LUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT  2019

21

The following matters require a super-majority vote:

•  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 $50 million or greater

•   implementation of related party transactions in excess 

of $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), AWA Saudi Ltda., 
Alumina Espanola S.A., Alcoa World Alumina LLC (AWA 
LLC), and the Alcoa World Alumina Brazil advisory board. 
In addition to the Strategic Council meetings, Alumina 
Limited’s Management and Board regularly visit and 
review AWAC’s operations, and participate in segment 
and location meetings.

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.

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 Limited then:
•   Future alumina off-take rights, from a date nominated 

by Alumina Limited, 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 

contracts being satisfied;

•   Future bauxite off-take rights

-   from a date nominated by Alumina Limited, 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 and pre-existing bauxite sales contracts.

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

2. Principal Risks

The risk management processes are summarised in the 
Corporate Governance Statement located on the Company 
website 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 by competitors). 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 achieve a low position on the cost 
curve. 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.

In addition, Chinese refineries being built outside of 
China at a much lower capital cost than the rest of the 
industry could increase the supply of alumina globally, 
which could lead to a fall in the market price of alumina. 
Similarly, a sustained increase in the supply of cheap 
bauxite from Asia to China, could also lower Chinese 
alumina production costs which could lead to a fall in  
the market price of alumina.

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.

Political, legal and regulatory impacts – AWAC and 
Alumina Limited operate across a broad range of legal, 
regulatory and 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. This may include a change 
in effective tax rates, additional tax liabilities 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 and Alumina Limited are 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 
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, additional tax liabilities 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.

23

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW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 any one of AWAC’s 
operations may result in a change in the timing or amount 
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 (including through backward integration) 
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.

Climate change – Climate change is a systemic and 
material risk that will pose challenges in the future 
management of AWAC operations in regard to energy 
usage, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon pricing 
policies and regulations and market demand. Climate 
change results in a number of physical and transitional 
risks, which affect AWAC in the following manner.

Physical risks include:
•   increased risks to personnel, business continuity, 

production and facilities,

•   climate factors like extreme weather events are 

likely to have an impact on AWAC’s global mining 
and refining operations,

•   water stress and potential impact on production 

if shortages occurred,

•   disruption to supply chain efficiencies from storm 
activity, and the transportation of raw materials, 

•   climatic changes leading to changes in rainfall  

and sea levels.

Transitional risks include: 
•   the increased scrutiny by governments on GHG 

emissions and the establishment of a carbon pricing 
mechanism,

•   emissions trading schemes, carbon taxes etc, present  

a challenge and a financial risk to the business, 

•  cost of emissions abatement, 
•  rising cost of energy. 

Energy 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.

Additional information in respect of climate change risks, 
can be located in Alumina Limited 2018 Sustainability 
report, and Alumina Limited’s Climate Change Position 
Statement. These documents can be found at  
www.aluminalimited.com

Other Risks

•   an alumina and/or aluminium market in supply surplus 

may lead to downward price pressure;

•   emerging competitors, that may be subsidised directly 

or indirectly by government, entering the alumina 
market may cause overcapacity in the industry which 
may result in AWAC losing sales or in depressed prices; 
this can include current Chinese industry participants 
establishing new refineries outside of China
•   global growth slowing and reducing aluminium 

consumption, and hence aluminium and alumina 
demand;

•   a technology breakthrough could lower Chinese 

alumina production costs;

•   a sustained increase in freight costs could 
disadvantage AWAC’s competitiveness;

•   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 which may put downward 
pressure on alumina prices;

•   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;

•   AWAC’s operations generate hazardous waste which 

are contained in tailing facilities, residue storage areas 
and other impoundments. Unanticipated structural 
failure or over- topping caused by extreme weather 
events could result in injury or loss of life, damage to 
the environment or property. These events could result 
in material civil or criminal fines, penalties, and 
curtailment or closure of facilities.

24

Review of AWAC Operations 

Alumina Limited provides its shareholders with a unique 
investment in globally leading bauxite mines and alumina 
refineries in Australia, Brazil, Spain, Saudi Arabia and 
Guinea through its 40% investment in the AWAC joint 
venture. AWAC also has a 55% interest in the Portland 
aluminium smelter in Victoria, Australia.

The current refining portfolio is comprised mostly of tier 
one assets that allows AWAC to generate strong returns 
throughout the commodity cycle. Having long life bauxite 
mines located close to the Australian refineries is a key 
competitive advantage in terms of driving a low position 
on the cost curve.

With the return of operational stability, AWAC’s operated 
assets performed strongly during 2019, culminating in an 
annual production record for AWAC’s current portfolio of 
refineries of 12.6 million tonnes. Increased production 
helped drive lower cash costs of alumina production, 

which partially offset the decline in the average realised 
alumina price. 

Alumina prices declined year-on-year due to a move from 
a market deficit to a small surplus of alumina following 
new and resumed refinery capacity, and also lower than 
expected global aluminium demand.

Despite the decline in alumina prices, AWAC has remained 
profitable and continues to return cash to its joint venture 
partners, primarily due to its low cost alumina refineries. 

The Company is also proud that AWAC’s Western 
Australian bauxite mines and alumina refineries,  
Juruti mine and Alumar refinery in Brazil received  
an Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Certification, 
in recognition of AWAC’s commitment to sustainable 
production. 

Bauxite Mining

AWAC Operated Mines

Production (million BDT)

Cash cost ($/BDT of bauxite produced)

Non-AWAC Operated Mines

31 Dec 2019

31 Dec 2018

Change

Change (%)

40.7

10.2

39.2

11.4

1.5

(1.2)

3.8

(10.5)

AWAC equity share of production (million BDT)1

4.1

4.0

0.1

2.5

Third Party Sales

Shipments to third parties (million BDT)

Total third party revenue, inclusive of freight2 ($ million)

6.2

274.7

5.6

250.5

0.6

24.2

10.7

9.7

1. 

 Based on the terms of its bauxite supply contracts, AWAC’s bauxite purchases from the Mineração Rio do Norte S.A. (“MRN”) mine  
in Brazil, and Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG) mine in Guinea, differ from their proportional equity in those mines.

2.  Includes freight revenue of $79.1 million for 2019 (2018: $68.1 million).

AWAC Operated Mines 

AWAC operated mines increased production by  
3.8% driven by increased demand from AWAC owned 
refineries. Juruti’s production improved following  
the completion of an expansion to a new capacity  
of 6.5 million BDT in 2018.

Production at Huntly increased to meet a third party 
supply contract and accommodate record production 
levels at the Pinjarra refinery. Willowdale’s production 
was increased to meet demand from the Wagerup 
refinery, and Juruti’s production was increased in 
order to meet greater third party demand. 

Bauxite Production
Change by Mine (Million BDT)

0.3

40.7

1.2

39.2

2018

Huntly & Willowdale

Juruti

2019

25

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWIn Western Australia, planning for the relocation of the 
Willowdale crusher to a new reserve area has begun and 
is well progressed. The move is expected to be completed 
by the end of 2021 and involve total sustaining capital 
expenditure of approximately $135 million, of which 
$14 million was spent in 2019 on planning and 
approximately $90 million will be spent during 2020. 
Similarly, planning for a new plateau in Juruti is being 
undertaken which will involve sustaining capital 
expenditure of approximately $5 million during 2020. 

AWAC’s cash cost per BDT of bauxite produced decreased 
by 10.5% to $10.2 per tonne, mostly due to a decline in 
royalty payments, and the stronger US dollar which had  
a favourable effect on the cash cost of bauxite produced.

Cash Cost per BDT of Bauxite Produced^

$11.4

($0.1)

($0.1)

($0.4)

$10.2

($0.6)

2018

Labor

Fuel

Services & 
maintenance

Other#

2019

# Other includes energy, supplies, PAE, royalties and other
^ AWAC operated mines

Non-AWAC Operated Mines 

Third Party Bauxite Sales 

AWAC’s shipments to third party customers increased  
by 10.7% to 6.2 million BDT with an increase in shipments 
from Huntly, CBG and Juruti, partially offset by a decline 
in shipments from MRN.

Third party revenue increased by 9.7%, with the increase 
in third party shipments partially offset by a decrease in 
the average FOB realised price of bauxite.

31 Dec 2019

31 Dec 2018

Change

Change (%)

12.9

12.6

336

210

126

94

344

12.9

12.2

447

226

221

92

–

0.4

(111)

(16)

(95)

2

–

3.3

(24.8)

(7.1)

(43.0)

2.2

473

(129)

(27.3)

1.839

0.462

1.765

0.443

0.074

0.019

4.2

4.3

AWAC’s equity share of production at MRN and CBG 
increased by 0.1 million BDT (2.5%) in 2019. 

CBG’s production increased by 10% to 3.0 million BDT,  
as the benefits from an expansion project begin to be 
realised. Once fully ramped up, the expansion will add an 
additional 1.1 million BDT to AWAC’s share of production.

The production rate at MRN was marginally down, 
resulting in a decrease of AWAC’s equity share of 
production by 0.1 million BDT to 1.1 million BDT.

AWAC’s equity accounted share of profit after tax from 
CBG and MRN was $18.2 million (2018: $13.7 million).

Refining

AWAC operated refineries

Shipments (million tonnes)

Production (million tonnes)

Average realised alumina price ($/tonne)

Cash cost per tonne of alumina produced

Margin1 ($/tonne)

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

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

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.

26

AWAC Operated Refineries 

Production from AWAC operated refineries was  
12.6 million tonnes, an annual record for the current 
portfolio of assets. Pinjarra and Wagerup achieved  
annual production records. Alumar’s production 
improved with its major boiler overhaul near completion.

The lower AWAC average realised alumina price in 2019 
reflected lower global metal demand, and additional 
alumina supply following the restart of Alunorte, ramp  
up of Al Taweelah, and other refinery capacity.

Approximately 94% of AWAC’s alumina shipments  
were priced on a spot or index basis. AWAC’s average 
realised price of $336 per tonne, a decline of $111 per 
tonne compared to the previous corresponding period, 
reflected the average alumina price decline of 27.3% to 
$344 per tonne. 

The average cash cost per tonne of alumina improved  
by 7.1% to $210 per tonne. An improved production rate 
reduced energy and caustic usage and the strength of  
the US dollar had a favourable effect on the cash cost  
of production.

Ma’aden Joint Venture

The Ma’aden refinery increased production by 4.2% in 
2019 to 1.839 million tonnes of alumina (AWAC’s share  
was 0.462 million tonnes), operating at 102% of  
nameplate capacity. 

The equity profit relating to the Ma’aden joint venture for 
AWAC was $6.4 million during 2019 (2018: $32.5 million 
equity profit). The decline was predominantly driven  
by lower realised alumina prices.

Portland

AWAC’S 55% Equity Share

Production (thousand tonnes)

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

EBITDA ($ million)

Alumina Production Change by Refinery (Kt) 

68

6

12,620

362

12,184

2018

Pinjarra
Wagerup
Kwinana

Alumar

San
Ciprian

2019

Cash Cost per Tonne of Alumina Produced^

$226

($2)

($9)

($2)

$210

($3)

2018

Energy

Caustic

Bauxite

Conversion*

2019

^ Includes the mining business unit at cost
* Conversion includes: employee costs, indirect costs and other raw material costs 

31 Dec 2019

31 Dec 2018

Change

Change (%)

161

1,799

(20.0)

164

2,119

(29.7)

(3)

(320)

9.7

(1.8)

(15.1)

32.7

Portland’s aluminium production decreased by 1.8% compared to 2018. 

The improvement in earnings was primarily as a result of a lower cash cost of production due to lower alumina prices. 
This was partially offset by a decline in metal prices.

27

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWAWAC Financial Review

The decline in AWAC’s 2019 net profit was largely due to lower realised alumina prices, charges related to the closure of 
Point Comfort, partially offset by improvements in the cash cost of production.

The decrease in the income tax charge was driven by lower taxable income, particularly in AWAC’s Australian operations.

AWAC Profit and Loss (US GAAP)

US$ Million

Net profit after tax

Add back: Income tax charge

Add back: Depreciation and amortisation

Add back: Net interest income

EBITDA

Add back: Significant items (pre-tax)

EBITDA excluding significant items

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2019

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2018

565.1

394.8

306.0

(5.2)

1,260.7

325.3

1,586.0

1,640.2

701.3

290.4

(1.8)

2,630.1

166.7

2,796.8

AWAC’s net profit included the following significant items:

Significant Items (US GAAP)

US$ Million

Suralco restructuring related charges1

Point Comfort restructuring related charges1

New operating model restructuring charges

Bauxite mining service contract final arbitration2

Derecognition of Brazil state VAT receivables3

Other4

Total significant items (pre-tax)

Total significant items (after-tax)

1.  Including holding costs.

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2019

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2018

(12.6)

(289.0)

(17.1)

–

–

(6.6)

(325.3)

(315.2)

(9.7)

(34.3)

–

(29.0)

(77.6)

(16.1)

(166.7)

(149.0)

2. 

 On December 16, 2016, Boskalis International B.V. (Boskalis) initiated a binding arbitration proceeding against Suriname Aluminum 
Company, LLC (Suralco), an AWAC company, seeking $47 million plus prejudgment interest and associated taxes in connection with a 
dispute arising under a contract for mining services in Suriname between Boskalis and Suralco. In February 2018, the arbitration hearing 
was held before a three-person panel. The panel awarded Boskalis $29 million, including prejudgment interest of $3 million. The award 
is final and cannot be appealed. The cash payment of $29 million to Boskalis was made on 6 June 2018.

3. 

 AWAC derecognised VAT receivables from certain Brazilian states. The company retains the ability to utilise the VAT credits in the future.

4. 

 Other significant items include net charges related to Point Henry and Anglesea restructuring, severance, other payments, Portland 
government facility forgiveness, and Afobaka hydroelectricity dam accelerated depreciation.

28

AWAC Balance Sheet (US GAAP)

US$ Million

31 DEC 2019

31 DEC 2018

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

418.7

272.8

518.8

3,138.0

2,015.1

6,363.4

0.5

548.1

226.3

78.2

1,235.2

2,088.3

4,275.1

740.3

497.5

565.4

3,317.2

2,030.4

7,150.8

0.4

623.9

546.3

84.4

1,028.4

2,283.4

4,867.4 

The decline in the value of assets and liabilities includes the effect of the weaker Australian dollar and Brazilian Real 
against the US dollar as at 31 December 2019.

The lower average alumina prices and a tax payment in excess of $300 million relating to the prior period resulted in 
lower cash and cash equivalents as well as a reduction in receivables and taxes payable balances respectively. 

The decrease in inventories and accounts payable includes the lower cost of raw materials, in particular caustic. 

Property, plant and equipment value declined due to the write-down of the Point Comfort refinery as well as accelerated 
depreciation associated with the handback of the Afobaka hydroelectricity dam to the Suriname Government, partially 
offset by the capitalisation of operating leases following the adoption of the new accounting standard ASC 842 “Leases”.

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

Other liabilities increased mainly due to an increase in operating lease liabilities following the adoption of the new 
accounting standard ASC 842 “Leases”.

29

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW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

Other financing and investing activities2

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Cash flow before distributions

Distributions paid to partners – in respect of the current year

Distributions paid to partners – in respect of the previous year

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

US$ Million

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2019

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2018

906.3

–

127.5

(5.9)

(176.9)

3.7

3.5

858.2

(645.8)

(534.0)

(321.6)

1,969.6

74.0

371.9

63.3

(234.1)

–

(68.4)

2,176.3

(1,540.4)

(527.5)

108.4

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 proceeds from sales of assets, and other.

Cash from operations in 2019 decreased primarily due to lower average realised alumina prices and a large tax payment 
in relation to the prior period. 

In 2019, sustaining capital expenditure was $151.0 million (2018: $210.9 million). The most significant expenditure related 
to residue storage areas, completion of a press filtration facility and planning for the Willowdale mine’s crusher move. 

2019 sustaining capital expenditure was lower than 2018 as the majority of the Pinjarra press filtration facility was 
constructed throughout 2018, and completed in 1H 2019. 

Growth capital expenditure was $25.9 million (2018: $23.2 million). This is down by $26 million from our previous guidance 
largely due to an extended timeline for the evaluation of the WA refineries growth opportunities. We expect a decision in 
relation to these projects to be made in 2020.

Other growth projects in 2019 included debottlenecking and a boiler upgrade at the Alumar refinery. 

Alumina Limited Financial Review

Alumina Limited Profit and Loss

US$ Million

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 for the year after tax

Total significant items after tax

Net profit after tax excluding significant items

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2019

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2018

232.0

(12.1)

(7.3)

1.4

214.0

112.6

326.6

653.5

(11.6)

(6.7)

0.2

635.4

54.5

689.9

30

Alumina Limited Significant Items (IFRS, Post-Tax)

US$ Million

Suralco restructuring charges1

Point Comfort restructure-related charges1

New operating model restructuring charges

Bauxite mining service contract final arbitration 

Derecognition of Brazil state VAT receivables

Other2 

Total significant items 

1.  Including holding costs.

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2019

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2018

(2.2)

(109.0)

(4.9)

–

–

3.5

(112.6)

(1.2)

(13.8)

–

(11.6)

(25.8)

(2.1)

(54.5)

2. 

 Other significant items include net charges related to Point Henry and Anglesea restructuring, severance, other payments, Portland 
government facility forgiveness, and Afobaka hydroelectricity dam accelerated depreciation.

Alumina Limited recorded a net profit after tax of $214.0 million (2018: $635.4 million). 

Excluding significant items, net profit would have been $326.6 million (2018: $689.9 million).

The decrease in net profit was primarily due to a decline in AWAC’s profit. 

2019 general and administrative expenses were higher than 2018 due to several factors including the additional ASIC 
industry funding levy, higher consulting and recruitment fees. 

The Company’s finance costs in 2019 were higher as they included $1.3 million of charges relating to the renegotiation of 
the syndicated bank facility. This was partially offset by lower interest charges as a result of terminating the Company’s 
A$125 million note in July 2019, and replacing it with the syndicated bank facility which has a lower coupon rate.

Alumina Limited Balance Sheet

US$ Million

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2019

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2018

Cash and cash equivalents

Investment in associates

Other assets

Total Assets

Payables

Interest bearing liabilities

Other liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

15.2

1,836.8

1.8

1,853.8

0.9

70.0

0.8

71.7

1,782.1

183.8

2,060.2

1.1

2,245.1

1.2

88.0

20.1

109.3

2,135.8

The value of investments in associates decline includes AWAC profit, the closure of Point Comfort and a large tax 
payment in relation to the prior period.

Alumina Limited’s net debt/(cash) as at 31 December 2019 was $54.8 million. (2018: $(95.8) million)

During 2019 the Company redeemed the A$125 million note and also early terminated, by cash settlement, the CCIRS 
which was used to mitigate the currency and interest rate exposure in relation to the Note.

The funds used to repay the Note and CCIRS were drawn down from the $350 million syndicated bank facility  
(tranche maturing 30 July 2023). The facility had $70 million drawn as at 31 December 2019.

31

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWAlumina Limited Cash Flow

Dividends received

Distributions received

Net finance costs paid

Payments to suppliers and employees

GST refund, interest received & other

Cash from operations

Net receipts/(payments) – 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 2019

Year Ended 
31 Dec 2018

381.7

–

(8.3)

(11.9)

3.1

364.6

39.2

403.8

657.2

0.2

(7.5)

(10.7)

2.1

641.3

20.8

662.1

Alumina Limited’s dividend policy is to distribute free cash received right up until the date of the dividend declaration 
whilst taking into consideration its capital structure, any capital requirements for AWAC and market conditions. 

Net receipts from AWAC totalled $420.9 million (2018: $678.2 million), and an additional $31.3 million (2018: $193.6 million) 
received post 31 December 2020 is included in the 2019 final dividend paid on 17 March 2020. 

Contributions to AWAC in 2019 of $51.0 million (2018: $108.8 million) were mainly to support one AWAC entity’s purchases 
of alumina on a spot basis from other AWAC entities in order to meet the former’s long term customer supply 
commitments which are on different pricing mechanisms.

The higher cash finance costs are a result of the bank facility’s rollover and establishment fees incurred in 2019, which 
was partially offset by lower interest charges as a result of terminating the Company’s A$125 million note in July 2019.

The lower dividend is driven by the reduction in distributions received from AWAC resulting from lower average alumina 
prices and a payment of $338 million relating to prior period tax.

32

Market, Outlook and Guidance 

The market outlook and guidance on pages 33–35, does not take into account the potential impact to the relevant 
factors as a result of COVID-19.

Alumina

The alumina price ranged between $321 and $275 per tonne 
during the second half of 2019, averaging $290/t. This 
compares to the first half range between $321 and $418  
per tonne, averaging $375/t. For the entire 2019 year the 
alumina price index averaged $332 per tonne, compared 
with $473 in 2018. Lower prices were due to both increased 
alumina supply and lower-than-expected demand, 
resulting in a modest alumina surplus outside China 
(exported to China). A global manufacturing slowdown 
reduced the need for primary aluminium and hence 
smelter-grade alumina (SGA).

Despite subdued prices, smelter-grade alumina 
production grew by 3.8 per cent outside China in 2019 
driven largely by the resumption at the partially curtailed 
Alunorte refinery in Brazil, ramping up of the Al Taweelah 
refinery in the UAE, the Friguia refinery in Guinea and the 
Lanjigarh refinery in India. Only the Alpart refinery in 
Jamaica and the small Alro refinery in Romania 
announced a capacity curtailment in 2019. 

Smelter-grade alumina production in China contracted 
by 1.2% in 2019, amid tightening environmental policies, 
lower alumina prices and increase in net imports. In May, 
over 4 million annual tonnes of capacity were curtailed in 
Shanxi due to bauxite residue issues, of which 2.8 million 
tonnes remain curtailed. Difficulty in accessing domestic 
bauxite, plus narrowing margins forced more high cost 
refineries in Northern China to curtail during the second 
half of 2019.

Chinese alumina prices remained subdued in the second 
half of 2019, causing the price outside China to fall as 
surplus alumina was exported to China as the market  
of last resort. Prices fell to the marginal cost level of  
RMB 2,400 including VAT (nearly US$350) per tonne in 
December and triggered some curtailments of high  
cost refineries. Prices have stabilised since.

China returned to being a net importer of alumina in 2019. 
China’s net imports totalled 1.4 million tonnes in 2019, after 
being a net exporter in 2018 of nearly 1 million tonnes.

Going into 2020, whilst extra smelting production will 
require more alumina, additional global alumina supplies 
are likely to support a balanced to slight surplus SGA 
market (0.2 million tonnes). Winter cuts in China are having 
a reduced impact on production compared to previous 
years. Much less new refining capacity is expected to be 
built in China than in previous years, and any new capacity 
will most likely displace high cost existing capacity. 
Chinese smelter-grade alumina production is forecast  

to grow by 1.8% and non-Chinese production by 4.8%  
in 2020. Net alumina imported by China is forecast to 
increase to 2 million tonnes in 2020. 

Over the medium to longer term China is expected to  
be broadly balanced in alumina, while continuing with 
modest imports from time to time and the rest of world is 
forecast to be balanced in the medium term. The Chinese 
Government has imposed a supply side reform cap of  
45 million tonnes on primary aluminium capacity. If this 
is insufficient of itself to regulate over-capacity in the 
Chinese alumina industry, the Chinese Government 
might be expected to impose more specific measures, 
particularly while Chinese state-owned-enterprises are 
long alumina. Either way, it is not expected that there will 
be Chinese overproduction of alumina in the medium to 
long term (although China is forecast to maintain some 
spare capacity which can be ramped up or down in line 
with market needs and raw material cost or availability). 
New, more cost-effective refineries are likely to be built 
along the coast of China, or in bauxite-rich regions 
outside of China, taking advantage of Chinese low capital 
cost design and construction. Outside of China, greenfields 
alumina refinery projects continue to be challenged by 
high construction costs and distances between favourable 
energy sources and good quality bauxite. 

It is likely that sustainability concerns will increasingly 
impact the industry into 2020 and beyond, at least outside 
China. Examples are the greater downstream consumer 
demand for responsible product chains, more stringent 
measures for tailings dams and residue disposal areas, 
climate change issues and air and water quality concerns. 
These may add to alumina production costs. Over 2020 
energy and caustic soda costs are expected to be relatively 
stable, with some risk of increased costs. However, AWAC 
is relatively well advanced to meet industry sustainability 
issues within its operations, particularly with its low 
position on the industry CO2 emissions curve and its 
rehabilitation practices.

Alumina price indices continue to be the main way 
smelter-grade alumina is priced. In March 2019, the LME 
launched a new cash-settled futures contract, the LME 
Alumina (CRU/Fastmarkets MB). This supplements CME’s 
Alumina FOB Australia (Platts) Futures and Alumina FOB 
Australia (Metal Bulletin) Futures contracts. In China in 
2019, Aladdiny introduced a physically settled alumina 
contract exchange platform. These types of price risk 
management tools continue to assist the development  
of alumina price indices. 

33

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWBauxite

China imported a record of 101 million tonnes of bauxite in 
2019, representing a 22% increase from 82.4 million tonnes 
in 2018. Third party bauxite continues to be well-supplied 
globally and this is forecast to continue into 2020. Supply 
to China is expected to continue to come predominantly 
from Guinea and Australia. Indonesia remains the third 
largest bauxite supplier to China, consistently exporting 
over 1 million tonnes per month. These three countries 
currently comprise around 94% of the total China imports. 
The Indonesian Government has indicated the possibility 
of bringing forward its ban on bauxite exports from 
January 2022. Even if the Indonesian ban were brought 
forward, beyond potential short-term supply disruptions, 
there is sufficient potential supply from other sources, 
such as Guinea, Australia and Malaysia, to fill the gap. 
Political protests in Guinea in 2019 have impacted bauxite 
supply at times and, if there were any extended supply 
disruptions, they would be likely to have a far greater 
impact on Chinese refinery bauxite sourcing and cost.

China currently imports around 50% of its bauxite needs, 
up from around 30% five years ago and this is expected 
to increase to over 75% within the next five years. 

In 2019, the Chinese imported bauxite price on a value-in-
use adjusted basis has ranged from $49.50 to $55.10 per dry 
metric tonne, with a volume-weighted average of $51.80. 
There has been increasing usage of imported bauxite by 
Chinese inland refineries. In 2019, thirteen refineries 
either completed high temperature to low temperature 
conversions or installed sweetening “add-ons” – and as a 
result these lines are now using imported (low temperature) 
bauxite to produce alumina. Freight cost increases and 
logistical impacts are expected into 2020, due to new rules 
regulating sulphur content in fuels (MARPOL IMO 2020).

Given the expected on-going ample supply of bauxite, 
particularly from Guinea and Australia, and to a lesser 
extent Indonesia, the third party bauxite market is likely 
to remain relatively stable in the near future.

Aluminium

World primary and semi-fabricated aluminium consumption 
contracted in 2019. Global primary consumption fell by just 
under 1%. The transportation, machinery and equipment 
sectors led the decline, in particular automotive. Primary 
aluminium demand for the second half of 2019 fell by 4.6% 
year on year, led by North America. A stagnant real estate 
and electrical industry, as well as a poor macroeconomic 
environment, all contributed to an overall 1% contraction 
of global primary aluminium demand in 2019, despite 
marginal demand growth in China.

However, more favourable monetary policy, easing of US 
and Chinese trade tensions with the phase 1 agreement, 
stronger packaging demand and positive sentiment in 
global markets (particularly in emerging markets like China 
and India), are expected to drive the primary aluminium 
demand up in 2020. 

Chinese primary aluminium production contracted by  
2% in 2019, triggered by price driven curtailments in the 
first half of 2019, as well a series of unplanned outages  
in the second half of the year. Outside China, production 
expanded by 1.1% to 27.9 million tonnes in 2019. This  
was mainly due to the expansion of Alba (Bahrain),  
Rusal (Russia) and restarts at Albras (Brazil), Becancour 
(Canada), exceeding curtailments at Mostar (Bosnia),  
CVG (Venezuela) and in Spain. 

Going into 2020, global primary aluminium production 
is expected to increase by 3.4%, with smelters started or 
re-started in 2019 (Alba’s line 6, Rusal’s BEMO expansion, 
Century (USA) restart) ramping up to full capacity and 
with the ramping up of Becancour and Albras, Xinfa and 
Weiqiao (China). In addition, there will be new Chinese 
capacity, particularly in the Southwestern provinces  
of Yunnan and Guangxi. Global demand is expected  
to be 66 million tonnes.

LME prices continued to fluctuate while trending  
lower during the second half of 2019 amid deteriorating 
sentiment for the aluminium industry in the Western 
World. In China, supply disruptions, decreasing inventory 
and improving macroeconomic data supported primary 
aluminium prices rebounding towards the end of the year. 
Smelter profitability has improved in 2019, driven by 
lower alumina and carbon prices. 

During the first half of 2020, recovering demand for 
aluminium, easing trade/macro concerns and improving 
market sentiment are expected to be positive factors, but 
capacity expansion and restarts both in and out of China 
will provide ample supply and keep pressure on prices  
in 2020. Some Chinese economic slowdown due to 
COVID-19 is occurring and demand for aluminium  
may be reduced. There are unloading and transportation 
disruptions in China affecting bauxite, alumina and 
aluminium flows. 

Over the medium and longer term, aluminium demand  
is forecast to continue to grow driven by economic 
expansion and increasing intensity of use. CRU expects 
primary aluminium demand to reach 87.6 million tonnes 
in 2045, compared with 64.9 million tonnes in 2019 and 
China, India and Southeast Asia are expected to account 
for around 63% of world aluminium demand in 2045. 
Whilst this is a modest growth rate, it would nevertheless 
require an additional 44 million tonnes of alumina 
production. In developed countries this is expected 
through more stringent environmental requirements  
to reduce emissions and waste and increase efficiency, 
leading for example to greater lightweighting of transport 
and electric vehicles. In developing countries, such as 
India and in Southeast Asia, aluminium demand growth 
is expected through greater urbanisation with more 
infrastructure and construction.

34

AWAC Guidance

The following 2020 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 sensitivity2: +$100/dry metric tonne

Australian $ Sensitivity: + 1¢ AUD/USD

Brazilian $ Sensitivity: + 1¢ BRL/USD

2020 Guidance

Approximately 12.7 million tonnes

Approximately 162,000 tonnes

Approximately 6.7 million BD tonnes

Approximately +$115 million EBITDA

Approximately -$90 million EBITDA

Approximately -$22 million EBITDA

Minimal impact

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

Approximately 97% for the year

AWAC sustaining capital expenditure 

AWAC growth capital expenditure 

AWAC Point Comfort after tax restructuring3, 4
Charges (IFRS)
Cash Flows

AWAC Suralco after tax restructuring3
Charges (IFRS)
Cash Flows

AWAC Point Henry and Anglesea after tax restructuring3
Charges (IFRS)
Cash Flows

Approximately $230 million

Approximately $35 million

Approximately $15 million
Approximately $55 million

Approximately $10 million
Approximately $40 million

Approximately $5 million
Approximately $20 million

1.  Excludes equity accounted income/losses for the Ma’aden joint venture.

2.  Caustic inventory flow is 5–6 month.

3.  Ongoing costs will be recognised in future financial years relating to the curtailments and closures. 

4.  The closure of the Point Comfort refinery was announced on 17 December 2019.

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 2020 are that total receipts by Alumina Limited should 
exceed its corporate needs.

In 2020, Alumina Limited anticipates there could be equity calls by AWAC entities in relation to working capital support. 
However, this is subject to market conditions.

35

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWLetter by Chair of 
Compensation Committee

Dear Shareholders, 
I am pleased to present Alumina Limited’s 2019 remuneration report.

Company Performance in 2019

In 2019, Alumina Limited reported a third successive  
year of strong returns for shareholders. Following the 
record results in 2018, the Company reported a profit of  
$214 million and distributed fully franked dividends to 
shareholders of US 8 cents. Although this is less than 
the dividends paid in 2018, it represents a yield of 5.0%  
to shareholders for 2019. These outcomes for shareholders 
are pleasing given the average alumina price for 2019  
was $332 per tonne, as alumina prices weakened due 
to increased supply. (This compared with an average 
alumina price of $473 per tonne in 2018).

Remuneration Strategy and Structure

Alumina Limited’s remuneration structures and levels of 
remuneration have been designed to reflect the unique 
nature of the company, the role of the executives, and 
their focus on longer term value creation for shareholders. 
In any one financial year, the Company’s financial result 
is heavily determined by global commodity prices. 

For these reasons, the Company’s remuneration 
is designed:

•   To pay fixed remuneration at a competitive level that 

will attract and retain high calibre executives (typically 
with strong leadership, relationship and influencing 
skills, proven track record in commercial and M&A 
transactions, ability to grasp the detail of complex 
matters yet think strategically and tactically).

•   To offer meaningful incentives but to avoid large 
windfall gains as a result of factors outside of 
management’s control (i.e. world alumina price  
rises or exchange rates); and

•   To provide a meaningful part of the total remuneration 
package in equity that is earned and released over  
the medium to longer term to provide alignment with 
shareholders (hence the use of Conditional Rights  
(CR) (with 3 year lock) for the CEO and CFO, and for 
participating execs within STI’s a requirement for  
50% to be reinvested in equity, and LTI’s delivered 
wholly in equity).

•   With reference to the non-operating nature of the 

Company, as benchmarks are considered when setting 
remuneration levels for for participating executives. 

In 2019, the Compensation Committee reviewed a number 
of topics including LTI performance vis-à-vis testing 
periods and the commodity cycle and NED equity policies. 
No changes to these policies resulted from the review, but  
the work enabled the company to have a more detailed 
understanding of the impacts of different scenarios and  
to be comfortable with the continued relevance of its 
remuneration policies and their alignment with 
Alumina’s business context. 

Remuneration Decisions and Outcomes 

CEO Remuneration Outcomes 
The CEO received no incentive payments in 2019. This 
is because he does not participate in an STI, and was not 
employed at the time of the FY17 LTI grant (which fell 
due for testing in 2019). 

 The CEO was awarded an increase of 6.0% to his total 
reward opportunity effective in 2020 reflecting his 
maturity, and strong performance in the role since his 
appointment in 2017. The majority of this increase is 
delivered in equity, either in the form of restricted 
conditional rights or performance tested LTI. Even with 
this increase, his total reward opportunity would remain 
in the lowest quartile, in accordance with Board discipline.

New CFO Remuneration Structure
In 2019, Alumina Limited was pleased to appoint Mr Grant 
Dempsey to the role of CFO. Grant was chosen following a 
structured recruitment process which allowed for market 
testing of remuneration structure and quantum. The 
structure of his remuneration mirrors that of the CEO, 
which is comprised of fixed pay, an annual grant of 
conditional rights (that are restricted for 3 years) and a 
modest LTI. Notably, the CEO and CFO do not participate 
in an STI which has been a specific design decision due 
to the unique nature of Alumina Limited’s business.

Performance Under the LTI
The FY17 LTI was tested in 2019 (testing period December 
2016 to December 2019) with 100% of the total award 
vesting. This outcome reflected shareholder experience 
over the period with the Company growing in market 
capitalization from a $3.3 billion to a $6.4 billion company, 
and record high profits being posted during the period 
(in 2018). 

36

Senior Executives – Performance under STI
After transitioning the new CFO to the same structure as 
the CEO, the STI applies to only two KMP. As a result of  
the scorecard assessment, reviewed by the Compensation 
Committee, $443,000 was awarded in 2019 (in 2018 those 
same KMP received $392,000). Achievements on projects 
regarding Tailings Dams Integrity and JV value 
optimisation underpinned the 2019 STI decisions. 

Now that the STI scheme at Alumina has less applicability, 
in this year’s report we have chosen to structure our 
narrative to give more prominence to base remuneration 
and our LTI scheme ahead of STI.

2020 NED Committee Fees
Following 8 years of unchanged director base 
remuneration, to ensure Committee fees are market 
competitive to continue to attract high calibre NEDs 
to the Alumina Board, the Compensation Committee 
decided to make modest increases to some 
Committee fees.

I am grateful for the dialogue we have had with 
stakeholders in 2019, and as always we’re pleased to  
receive thoughts from shareholders and the wider 
community. I look forward to continuing to work 
with you.

Emma Stein • Chair

37

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORT

The Remuneration Report is presented in the following sections:

1.  Remuneration Framework 

1.1.  Persons Covered by this Report 

1.2.  Remuneration in Business Context 

1.3.  Remuneration Strategy, Components and Mix 

2. 

 Company Performance and Executive  
Remuneration Outcomes 

2.1.  Company Performance 

39

39

40

43

2.2. 

 Remuneration Decisions and Outcomes for 2019  45

2.3.  CEO, CFO and Senior Executives Performance  

under the LTI Plan 

2.4.  Senior Executives (excluding CEO and CFO)  

2.5. 

2.6. 

Performance Under the STI Plan 

 CEO and Senior Executives Statutory 
Remuneration 

 Actual “Take Home” 2019 Remuneration  
Awarded to CEO and Senior Executives 

3.  Non-Executive Directors Remuneration 

3.1.  Remuneration Outcomes in 2019 

3.2.  Non-Executive Directors Share Holdings 

45

47

50 

52

54

56

4.  Additional Disclosures 

4.1. 

4.2. 

4.3. 

4.4. 

4.5. 

 Reconciliation of Conditional Rights  
Held by CEO 

 Value Change Over Time of the CEO’s  
Conditional Rights 

 Reconciliation of Performance Rights  
Held by KMP 

 Reconciliation of Ordinary Shares  
Held by KMP 

 CEO and Senior Executives  
Service Agreements 

4.6.  Cessation of Employment 

4.7.  Change of Control 

4.8.  Clawback Policy 

4.9.  Share Trading and Hedge Prohibition 

56

57

57

58

59

60

60

60

60

38

 
 
1.  Remuneration Framework

1.1.  Persons Covered by this Report

In this report, KMP are those individuals having the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling 
the activities of the group, either directly or indirectly. They comprise:
•  Non-Executive Directors (NED)
•  Executive Director – CEO
•  Other Senior Executives considered KMP.

Name

Role

Non-Executive Directors

Peter Day

Non-Executive Chairman

John Pizzey

Non-Executive Chairman (retired)

Appointed Chairman 1 April 2018 
Director since 1 January 2014

Chairman from 1 December 2011 to 31 March 2018 
Director from 8 June 2007 to 31 March 2018

Emma Stein

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 3 February 2011

Chen Zeng

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 15 March 2013

Deborah O’Toole

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 1 December 2017

John Bevan

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 1 January 2018

Executive Directors

Mike Ferraro

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Appointed CEO from 1 June 2017

Other KMP

Grant Dempsey

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Appointed 1 July 2019

Stephen Foster

General Counsel/Company Secretary

Appointed 4 December 2002

Andrew Wood

Group Executive Strategy & Development

Employed 1 September 2008

Galina Kraeva

Interim Chief Financial Officer (ICFO)

19 November 2018 to 30 June 2019

1.2.  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.

This, in turn, draws on their abilities to persuade and 
influence our joint venture partner to a common or at 
times, different conclusion. 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.

Alumina Limited owns a 40 per cent interest in the 
multibillion-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 with some in remote locations. Alumina 
Limited’s executives are responsible for protecting and 
advancing the interests of its approximately 56,000 
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.

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. Hence, Alumina Limited’s remuneration 
needs to be competitive, valued and relevant.

39

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 20191.3.  Remuneration Strategy, Components and Mix

Remuneration Strategy
Alumina Limited’s remuneration strategy is based on the following principles, which determine remuneration 
components, their mix and way of delivery.

ALIGNMENT

RELEVANCE

Our remuneration is designed to aid  
alignment of Company, Executive, Board  
and Stakeholders interests.

Appropriate mix of fixed and at-risk 
components, short and long incentives reflecting 
a balance of financial and non-financial 
objectives relevant to the non-operating nature 
of the Company and specific executive roles.

REMUNERATION PRINCIPLES

SUSTAINABILITY

Remuneration that is market competitive, that 
attracts and retains executives with capabilities 
and expertise to deliver our strategy.

TRANSPARENCY

Remuneration outcomes that are based  
on a set of clear objectives and expectations 
linked to Company strategy.

Alignment of the CEO’s and CFO’s Remuneration Structure
In 2019, Alumina appointed a new CFO, Grant Dempsey, who 
brings an extensive range of relevant skills and commercial 
experience to help deliver Alumina’s strategic objectives. 

The CFO succession presented the Board with opportunity 
to align the CFO’s remuneration structure with that of 
the CEO.

The CEO’s and CFO’s remuneration packages have been 
specifically designed to exclude an STI, which has been 
replaced with the restricted equity grant. 

This design reflects the unique nature of the Company, 
the requirements of these critical leadership roles to 
create long term shareholder value, their responsibility 
for the relationship with our joint venture partner and 
influence the strategic direction of joint venture 
development and growth. 

The decision to remove the STI component from CEO and 
CFO remuneration structure continues to align with Alumina 
Limited’s remuneration strategy, in particular ensuring that 
swings in the commodity cycle do not excessively impact 
remuneration outcomes and rewarding longer term value 
creation through increased exposure to equity-based 
remuneration.

The Board continues to set specific annual objectives  
for the CEO. Progress is reviewed quarterly and at the  
end of the year. These steps ensure there is a formal and 
transparent process from which to assess, discuss and 
hold accountable CEO performance.

The Board has further refined its approach to the CEO’s 
performance assessment framework, so that reward and 
recognition decisions for the CEO are underpinned by  
the performance assessment process.

The same principle will be adopted for the CFO performance 
assessment. The alignment of the CFO remuneration 
structure and performance assessment framework  
with that of the CEO, is intended to promote a stronger 
leadership structure focusing on the value creation 
activities and eliminate potential prioritisation of the 
short-term goals over longer term strategic objectives.

The Board considered and maintained its discipline of 
setting overall level of remuneration at modest levels (lowest 
quartile). Having aligned the CEO and CFO remuneration 
structures in 2019, the remuneration structures for Alumina’s 
General Counsel and GM Strategy & Development who 
make up the other KMP remain unchanged.

40

KMP Remuneration Components and Pay Mix
The table below sets out the different components of remuneration for the Alumina Limited’s KMP, the performance 
measures used to determine the amount of remuneration executives will receive and how they are aligned with Alumina 
Limited’s remuneration strategy.

Fixed Remuneration 
(“FAR”)

Long-Term  
Incentive (LTI)1

CEO & CFO Equity  
Based Award

Short-Term Incentive 
for Senior Executives1

Executive 
Remuneration 
Components

Strategic  
Intent

Performance 
Measure

Attract and retain 
executives with  
the capability and 
experience to 
deliver our strategy.

FAR is set based on 
market relativities, 
reflecting 
responsibilities, 
qualifications, 
experience and 
effectiveness.

Align performance focus 
with the long-term 
business strategy and 
shareholders experience.

LTI vesting is subject  
to service and 
performance tested  
three years from the 
grant date. The testing 
criteria is three-year 
Company TSR equal to  
or outperforming the 
median of the two (one 
local, one international) 
comparator groups (half 
of the LTI is attributable 
to each comparator group).

Align performance 
focus with the 
long-term business 
strategy and 
shareholder 
experience.

Transfer of shares 
is conditional on  
a minimum of  
12 months service 
period. 

There is a 3-year 
trading restriction 
on the shares from  
grant date.

The value of the 
equity remains 
subject to 
performance of  
the Company’s  
share price.

Delivery

Cash Payment

Performance Rights

Conditional Rights

Performance incentive 
directed to achieving 
Board approved targets, 
reflective of market 
circumstances.

STI performance criteria 
are set by reference to:
•   A minimum 

performance threshold 
requirement (the 
“Corporate Gate”)
•  Financial metrics
•  Strategic objectives
•   Individual performance 
and effort relevant to 
the specific objective.

Mix of cash and equity
•   GE Strategy & 
Development:  
100% cash

•   Company Secretary: 

50% cash, 50% equity 
with three years trade 
restriction period

1.  More detail on the STI and LTI remuneration components and their link to company performance is included in section 2 of this report.

CEO
The CEO’s remuneration package comprises FAR, an 
annual grant of Conditional Rights subject to dealing 
restrictions, and an LTI.

% of potential total remuneration

FAR 60%

Conditional Rights 19%

Restriction period

LTI Performance Rights 21%

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

C
A
S
H

E
Q
U
I
T
Y

The remuneration structure for the CEO includes 
remuneration elements most aligned with the role of  
the CEO at Alumina Limited and the skills and experience 
of the individual in the role. 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. 

A greater proportion of equity exposure (delivered via  
the Conditional Rights and LTI) drives long-term focus and 
a provides a better measure of the CEO’s performance. The 
equity component value will change over time and mirror 
the experience of shareholders. 

41

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORTAs a part of the CEO performance assessment, the Board 
conducted a structured review of CEO effectiveness in the 
role, not only for 2019, but over the period of his appointment.

Since his appointment in 2017, which followed the 
separation of Alcoa Inc in late 2016, Mr Ferraro’s priority 
was to engage with Alcoa to assess the potential growth 
and synergies within the alumina and bauxite segments, 
optimising and investing in AWAC’s core assets, whilst 
maintaining good working relationships with our joint 
venture partner. Significant progress was achieved in  
the areas of long term gas sourcing, risk management, 
sustainability and residue disposal area management.  
Mr Ferraro’s leadership of Alumina in terms of the quality 
of investor and stakeholder relationships was assessed.

The Board view was reaffirmed through canvassing  
the views of investors by the Chairman. The conclusion 
was that Mr Ferraro has matured in the role and his 
outperformance should be reflected in 2020’s 
remuneration decision.

As a final test for the appropriateness and the quantum 
of CEO remuneration decision, 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.

The CEO’s revised 2020 total reward opportunity would 
have positioned him at the 12th percentile of the ASX51-
100 comparator group and at the 8th percentile of the 
ASX51-75 comparator group.

CFO
As previously mentioned, the Board took an opportunity  
to align the CFO remuneration structure to that of the CEO.

As with the CEO package, the CFO’s remuneration 
package comprises a fixed cash component of $877,500, 
an equity component delivered via conditional rights and 
performance rights valued at $236,250 each at the time  
of the grant. 

% of potential total remuneration

FAR 65%

Conditional Rights 17.5%

Restriction period

LTI Performance Rights 17.5%

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

C
A
S
H

E
Q
U
I
T
Y

The CEO’s 2019 FAR positions him at the 46th percentile  
of the ASX51-100 comparator group and at the 34th 
percentile of the ASX51-75 comparator group, whilst his 
total reward opportunity positions him at 8 percentile 
for both comparator groups.

Restructuring of the CFO remuneration package resulted 
in a reduction of the overall potential quantum of the 
package (from $1,525,440 to $1,350,000), whilst doubling 
the exposure to the equity component (delivered via 
replacement of cash STI to Conditional Rights).

Whilst the Board remains of the view that due to  
the non-operating nature of Alumina’s business it is 
appropriate to maintain the total CEO reward opportunity 
positioning in the lowest quartile, the Board also considers 
the increased complexity and demand for proactive 
participation and contribution in certain areas of  
JV governance and operations.

On this basis, the Board thought the CEO’s 2020 
remuneration package should be revised to further 
increase CEO exposure to equity in the Company thus 
reflecting on the future strategic intent of the role.

The revision of the CEO remuneration package results  
in a 6% increase of the total reward opportunity and 
includes the following changes:
•  2.2% FAR increase;
•  12.5% increase in the value of conditional rights; and
•  11% increase in the value of LTI Performance rights.

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

Potential total remuneration

N
E
W FAR: $877,500

Conditional
Rights:
$236,500

Performance
Rights – LTI:
$236,500

O
L
D

FAR: $726,400

STI: $508,480

Performance
Rights – LTI:
$290,560

42

Senior Executives
Senior Executive remuneration packages comprise FAR, 
STI and LTI. The STI component for the Senior Executives 
is considered appropriate and provides 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.

In 2018, the Board amended the “Corporate Gate” measure 
for the STI plan. It is a minimum performance threshold 
requirement, whereby the Company must pay a dividend 
or report an underlying profit before significant items. 
Significant items include any positive or negative one-off 
items such as profit on asset sales, asset impairments or 
generally any matter which is not recurring. If the “Corporate 
Gate” is not satisfied the overall scorecard performance 
scores will be halved in determining STI payments.

The Company strategic, financial and non-financial 
objectives are identified. 

At the end of the year performance is evaluated based  
on the status of completion of objectives and individual 
performance relevant to the specific objective.

In the Board’s opinion this approach directs Executive 
focus to the most significant business priorities, promote 
teamwork and present a transparent and equitable basis 
of the performance assessment. 

% of potential total remuneration

C
A
S
H

E
Q
U
I
T
Y

FAR 48%

STI 16.5%

STI Shares 16.5%

LTI 19%

FAR 55.5%

STI 28%

LTI 16.5%

Company Secretary

GM Strategy & Development

2. 

 Company Performance and Executive Remuneration Outcomes

2.1.  Company Performance

Some Company objectives are weighted differently for 
each of the KMP depending on the expected level of  
input and responsibilities assigned. In terms of financial 
performance, Alumina Limited has continued its recent 
history of strong results. Despite a softer alumina market, 
Alumina Limited recorded a profit of US$214.0 million. 
The profit decreased 66% compared to the record 2018 
profit of US$635.4 million due to lower alumina prices and 
charges associated with the closure of the Point Comfort 
refinery in Texas.

A low cost, tier one portfolio of assets, supports AWAC’s 
ability to remain profitable despite lower alumina prices 
and has facilitated cash distributions of US$471.9 million to 
Alumina Limited during 2019. Whilst dividend distributions 
in 2019 were down compared to the record distributions 
of 2018, the chart shows that Alumina Limited’s three-year 
dividend yield of 8.6% continues to compare favourably 
to peers. Additionally, Alumina Limited’s TSR compared to 
relevant ASX indices, demonstrates a track record of solid 
returns to investors since 2016 following AWAC’s asset 
portfolio transformation.

Alumina Limited vs Peers Avg Dividend Yield1  
Past three calendar years, excl. franking credits

8.6

7.2

4.5

3.2

1.8

1.4

No dividends

Alumina

Rio
Tinto

South32

Alba

Norsk
Hydro

Rusal

Alcoa
Corp.

Century
Aluminium

1.  Dividend yield calculated as the average dividend declared from 26-Feb-17

to 26-Feb-20 divided by the average share price during that period.

43

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORT 
Alumina Limited (including Franking Credits) (A$) 2014–2019  ASX200 Materials Company TSR's (Incl. Franking Credits) (A$)

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

Jan 14

Jan 15

Jan 16

Jan 17

Jan 18

Jan 19

Jan 20

Alumina Ltd. TSR 

ASX 200 Materials Index 25th percentile

ASX 200 Materials Index 50th percentile

ASX 200 Materials Index 75th percentile

Alumina Limited undertook a number of actions to strengthen its balance sheet during 2019. The syndicated bank 
facility was renegotiated, and as a result Alumina Limited now has facilities totalling US$350 million, with the earliest 
tranche not maturing until October 2022. 

Alumina Limited also redeemed the A$125 million note and early terminated the associated CCIRS. These actions give 
Alumina Limited greater flexibility and enhanced access to liquidity. As at 31 December 2019, Alumina Limited’s net debt 
was US$54.8 million, equating to 3.0% gearing.

Alumina Limited’s Board and Management continue to remain abreast of industry trends and developments in order  
to refine the future strategy of the business. We continue to engage with Alcoa to assess the potential growth and 
synergies within the alumina and bauxite segments, whilst maintaining good working relationships with our joint 
venture partner and contributed to discussion and analysis of various potential projects within AWAC.

Our investment in AWAC’s portfolio of low cost assets, together with a very strong balance sheet, allows Alumina Limited 
to deliver consistent returns through the cycle while also investing for the long term. Changes to the AWAC distribution 
policies negotiated in 2016 provided greater certainty and control over cash flows to Alumina Limited and ultimately  
to its shareholders.

Alumina Limited 2019 TSR Compared to ASX Indices

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

Jan 14

Jan 15

Jan 16

Jan 17

Jan 18

Jan 19

Jan 20

Alumina Ltd. TSR (including franking credits) 

ASX 100 Accumulation Index

ASX 200 Materials Accumulation Index

44

2.2.  Remuneration Decisions and Outcomes for 2019

Fixed Remuneration

2019 Outcomes

Short Term Incentive

2019 Outcomes

Long Term Incentive

2019 Outcomes

Fixed remuneration for the CEO and Senior Executives increased in 2019 by 2.5%, which was 
generally in line with the increases applied to the broader staff in the Company, except for two 
staff members who received a higher increase in base remuneration due to changes in their 
respective responsibilities.

The CFO’s fixed remuneration was reviewed on appointment and details are set out in section 1.3.

Ms Kraeva was appointed interim CFO for the period 19 November 2018 to 30 June 2019.  
Ms Kraeva’s FAR was set at $600,000 per annum whilst she remained in the role.

In 2019, STI payments were assessed against a range of corporate objectives, including financial 
strategic and non-financial objectives. 

“Corporate Gate” requirements were satisfied therefore STI was assessed based on 100% of the 
potential award. Senior Executives, achieved on average 75% of the maximum STI.

The FY17 LTI was tested in 2019 (testing period December 2016 to December 2019) with 100%  
of the total award vesting.

Alumina Limited’s performance against the ASX Comparator group exceeded the 75th 
percentile and therefore 100 per cent of the potential entitlement vested. In relation to the 
International Comparator Group, Alumina Limited’s performance was above top ranked  
peer company.

2.3.  CEO, CFO and Senior Executives Performance under the LTI Plan 

2019

Key Features of the LTI Plan

Description

The LTI is delivered in the form of Performance Rights that are tested over a three-year performance 
period. Each Performance Right that vests deliver to the holder an ordinary share in Alumina Limited 
upon exercising of the Right.

Performance 
Period

Performance 
Hurdles

Three Year

Alumina Limited’s performance is tested using relative TSR compared against two comparator 
groups. Relative TSR was chosen 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 were tested are:

•   ASX Comparator Group (Test 1 – 50% weighting): Australian listed entities in S&P/ASX 100 Index, 
excluding property trusts, the top 20 companies by market capitalisation and Alumina Limited.

•   International Comparator Group (Test 2 – 50% weighting): reflecting the Company’s direct competitors 
in the market comprising nine selected companies in the alumina and/or aluminium industries that 
are listed in Australia or overseas, excluding the Company. The following companies were included 
in the group: South 32, Hindalco Industries, Century Aluminium, Norsk Hydro, China Hongqiao Group, 
Arconic, Yunnan Aluminium ‘A’ (CNY), Aluminium Corporation of China, United Company Rusal.

45

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORT2.3.  CEO, CFO and Senior Executives Performance under the LTI Plan (continued) 

2019

Key Features of the LTI Plan (continued)

Performance 
Assessment

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.

Alumina Limited’s 
TSR Percentile Rank

Below 50th

Equal to 50th

Between 50th and 75th 
(ASX Comparator Group)1

Equal to or greater than 75th

Percentage of Vesting in (applies 
individually to each comparator group)

0%

50%

An additional 2% of award for  
each percentile increase

100%

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

Entitlements

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.

Percentage of FAR (%)

CEO

CFO

Interim CFO

Company Secretary

GE Strategy & Development

Approx 35

Approx 27

20

40

30

Performance 
Levels2

1. 

 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).

2. 

 To determine the number of Performance Rights to be offered, the LTI opportunity is allocated using a face value allocation methodology 
being the annual dollar value of the LTI grant 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 CEO, CFO and Senior Executives under the LTI plan for the relevant year.

Alumina Limited’s performance resulted in 100 per cent of the total potential entitlement vesting in 2019. The tables below 
summarise Alumina Limited’s TSR performance against each of the comparator groups, and the number and value of the 
performance rights vested to KMP as result of this performance. Full reconciliation of number of rights at the beginning 
and the end of the financial year provided in section 4.3. of this report.

Description

Currency

Performance Period

Alumina Limited’s TSR

Alumina Limited’s TSR Percentile Rank

75th percentile TSR

50th percentile TSR

ASX Comparator Group

International Comparator Group

AUD

7 December 2016 – 6 December 2019

USD1

65.54%

81.34%

84.48%

67.24%

37.98%

Above top ranked peer company

(10.51%)

(26.80%)

1.  TSR for the International comparator group is calculated using prices and dividends converted to US dollars on a daily basis.

46

KMP

Michael Ferraro

Grant Dempsey

Galina Kraeva

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

Number of Performance
Rights Vested in 20191

A$ Value of Performance
Rights Exercised2

–

–

36,600

125,600

66,500

–

–

86,376

–

156,940

1. 

 Performance Rights vested in 2019 were issued based on 2016 employment. Mr Ferraro was appointed CEO from 1 June 2017, Mr Dempsey 
was appointed CFO from 1 July 2019, therefore performance rights granted to them are still subject to future performance testing. Ms 
Kraeva was appointed Interim CFO for the period 19 November 2018 until 30 June 2019, and therefore the Performance Rights vested 
reflect LTI grants granted to her prior to her becoming a KMP.

2. 

 The value of Performance Rights exercised is determined by the number of Rights vested in 2019 multiplied by the market price at the 
exercise date. Mr Foster did not exercise his rights as yet. Had he done so on the vesting date the value of his respective performance 
rights would have been $296,416.

2.4.  Senior Executives (excluding CEO and CFO) Performance Under the STI Plan

2019

Key Features of the STI Plan

Description

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

Performance Period

Financial Year

Performance Hurdles

The STI is subject to the “Corporate Gate”, a minimum performance threshold requirement 
under which Alumina Limited must pay a dividend or report an underlying profit before 
significant items. Significant items may include any positive or negative one-off items such 
as profit on asset sales, asset impairments or generally any matter which is not recurring.

Where scorecard objectives are met and the “Corporate Gate” is satisfied, the STI payment 
can be at the target level. If the “Corporate Gate” is not satisfied the overall scorecard 
performance scores will be halved in determining STI payments. Where objectives are 
significantly exceeded, the STI payment can approach the maximum level indicated below.

Performance 
Assessment

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.

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

•   whether each individual element was achieved or surpassed

•    if an element was not achieved, whether this was due to the element no longer being 
considered a priority during the year due to changes in the operating environment, or 
whether due to poor performance (in which case a zero is likely to be given).

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.

47

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORT2.4.  Senior Executives (excluding CEO and CFO) Performance Under the STI Plan (continued)

2019

Key Features of the STI Plan

Opportunity Levels

Level of Performance

Percentage of FAR (%)

Interim CFO

Company Secretary/
General Counsel

GE Strategy & 
Development

Below expectations

Corporate gate not met 
(50% of Target)

Corporate gate satisfied 
(100% of target)

Maximum

0

12

24

30

0

28

56

70

0

17.5

35

50

The tables below provide a summary assessment of performance against the STI scorecard, the actual value of STI paid  
to Senior Executives and the percentage of total maximum STI paid and forfeited for 2019.

2019 STI Scorecard

Performance Measure

Weighting

Performance Assessment

Strategic objectives:
•   Engage with Alcoa to assess the potential growth and synergies 

57%

within the alumina and bauxite segment

Partially Achieved:

Greater focus on sustainability 
and climate change achieved; 
however full strategy review 
delayed till 2020.

18%

At target

25%

At target

•   Implement Alumina Limited Risk Management plan and Contribute 

to risk management planning and actions undertaken in AWAC
•   Work with Alcoa on review of residue disposal areas and provide 
input into the recommendations and their implementation plans

•   Agree the climate change and sustainability strategy for AWAC

Financial objectives:
•   Ensure the cash distributions required under the AWAC Joint 

Venture agreements for 2019 are received and equity contributions 
properly assessed

•   Maintain key financial metrics
•  Develop funding strategy for growth

Non-Financial objectives:
•   Effective and good working relationship is maintained and 

enhanced with Alcoa

•   Undertake successor and contingency planning, including 

additional resources to meet the future needs of the Company

48

In 2019 the Board has given a greater weighting to  
the strategic objectives that were designed to focus 
management efforts on influence over the target AWAC’s 
future development. The Management team, led by the 
CEO had achieved most of their set objectives at the target 
level, which resulted in a higher percentage of STI paid 
compared to 2018. However, the total STI awarded to senior 
executives was down in 2019, primarily due to re-alignment 
of the CFOs remuneration package. 

The actual remuneration outcomes reflect a balanced 
approach to objective setting, whereby short-term awards, 
particularly STI, are not being unduly impacted by current 
market environment and prices, but rather recognises 
ongoing effort on strengthening JV operations, thus 
improving Company performance and matching our 
shareholder’s experience over  
the long term horizon.

2019 STI Outcomes

KMP

Chris Thiris (previous CFO)1

Galina Kraeva (Interim CFO)2

Stephen Foster (Company Secretary)

Andrew Wood (GE Strategy & Development)

Total Executive STI

Year

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

6 Year Dividend Percentage STI Award History 

U
S
C
e
n
t
s
/
S
h
a
r
e

25

20

15

10

5

0

250

200

P
e
r
c
e
n
t
a
g
e

150

100

50

0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Dividend

% Target STI

% Opportunity STI

STI Paid 
A$

Paid as a Percentage 
of Maximum Award

Forfeited as a 
Percentage of 
Maximum Award

335,420

70,000

16,000

302,000

270,000

141,000

122,000

513,000

743,420

66%

78%

73%

78%

71%

68%

60%

75%

68%

34%

22%

27%

22%

29%

32%

40%

25%

32%

1.  Mr Thiris retired and ceased employment with Alumina Limited on 31 December 2018.

2. 

 Ms Kraeva appointed Interim CFO effective 19 November 2018. Her STI is pro-rated for her time as KMP from 19 November 2018  
to 30 June 2019.

49

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORT 
2.5.  CEO and Senior Executives Statutory Remuneration

The following table shows details of the remuneration expense recognised for the Group’s KMP for the current and  
previous financial year measured in accordance with the requirements of the accounting standards. Amounts shown  
under share-based payments reflect the accounting expense recorded during the year with respect to awards that  
have or are yet to vest.

KMP

Year

Short-Term Benefits 
(A$)

Post Employment Benefits 

(A$)

Share Based Payments 

Total Remuneration 

FAR1

STI

Non Monetary2

Other3

Total

Superannuation 

and termination4

Conditional 

Rights5

Performance

Rights6

Mike Ferraro

Grant Dempsey7

Chris Thiris

Galina Kraeva8 

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

Total Executive 
Remuneration

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

1,318,833

1,286,610

428,249

701,400

289,734

70,239

–

–

–

335,420

70,000

16,000

531,300

302,000

517,700

270,000

394,333

141,000

384,710

122,000

2,962,449

513,000

2,960,659

743,420

34,689

33,047

14,758

27,607

9,088

1,482

477

(8,156)

12,950

17,402

71,962

71,382

7,702

13,261

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,702

13,261

1,361,224

1,332,918

443,007

1,064,427

368,822

87,721

833,777

779,544

548,283

524,112

3,555,113

3,788,722

20,767

20,290

10,501

452,402

10,266

2,488

25,000

25,000

20,767

20,290

87,301

520,470

420,250

507,222

59,063

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

479,313

507,222

276,118

181,536

–

10,256

19,868

4,923

131,932

135,253

72,583

72,998

500,501

404,966

(A$)

Total

696,368

688,758

59,063

10,256

19,868

4,923

131,932

135,253

72,583

72,998

979,814

912,188

(A$)

2,078,359

2,041,966

512,571

1,527,085

398,956

95,132

990,709

939,797

641,633

617,400

4,622,228

5,221,380

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

2.  Non-monetary benefits represent the movement in accrued long service leave and value of the car park.

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

4. 

 Superannuation and termination reflect the SGC contributions for all KMP and termination payment (payment in lieu) for Mr Chris Thiris 

in 2018.

5. 

 The CEO’s and CFO’s remuneration packages includes a conditional rights component. In accordance with AASB 2, the value attributed 

to the conditional rights represents the amortisation for the reporting period of the value at grant date of all previously granted 

conditional rights that have neither vested nor lapsed.

6. 

 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.  Mr Dempsey appointed CFO from 1 July 2019.

8.  Ms Kraeva appointed Interim CFO from 19 November 2018 to 30 June 2019.

50

2.5.  CEO and Senior Executives Statutory Remuneration

The following table shows details of the remuneration expense recognised for the Group’s KMP for the current and  

previous financial year measured in accordance with the requirements of the accounting standards. Amounts shown  

under share-based payments reflect the accounting expense recorded during the year with respect to awards that  

have or are yet to vest.

Mike Ferraro

Grant Dempsey7

Chris Thiris

Galina Kraeva8 

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

Total Executive 

Remuneration

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

1,318,833

1,286,610

428,249

701,400

289,734

70,239

–

–

–

335,420

70,000

16,000

531,300

302,000

517,700

270,000

394,333

141,000

384,710

122,000

2,962,449

513,000

2,960,659

743,420

34,689

33,047

14,758

27,607

9,088

1,482

477

(8,156)

12,950

17,402

71,962

71,382

7,702

13,261

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,702

13,261

(A$)

Total

1,361,224

1,332,918

443,007

1,064,427

368,822

87,721

833,777

779,544

548,283

524,112

3,555,113

3,788,722

KMP

Year

Short-Term Benefits 

Post Employment Benefits 
(A$)

Share Based Payments 
(A$)

Total Remuneration 
(A$)

FAR1

STI

Non Monetary2

Other3

Superannuation 
and termination4

Conditional 
Rights5

Performance
Rights6

20,767

20,290

10,501

452,402

10,266

2,488

25,000

25,000

20,767

20,290

87,301

520,470

420,250

507,222

59,063

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

479,313

507,222

276,118

181,536

–

10,256

19,868

4,923

131,932

135,253

72,583

72,998

500,501

404,966

Total

696,368

688,758

59,063

10,256

19,868

4,923

131,932

135,253

72,583

72,998

979,814

912,188

2,078,359

2,041,966

512,571

1,527,085

398,956

95,132

990,709

939,797

641,633

617,400

4,622,228

5,221,380

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

2.  Non-monetary benefits represent the movement in accrued long service leave and value of the car park.

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

4. 

5. 

6. 

 Superannuation and termination reflect the SGC contributions for all KMP and termination payment (payment in lieu) for Mr Chris Thiris 
in 2018.

 The CEO’s and CFO’s remuneration packages includes a conditional rights component. In accordance with AASB 2, the value attributed 
to the conditional rights represents the amortisation for the reporting period of the value at grant date of all previously granted 
conditional rights that have neither vested nor lapsed.

 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.  Mr Dempsey appointed CFO from 1 July 2019.

8.  Ms Kraeva appointed Interim CFO from 19 November 2018 to 30 June 2019.

51

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORT2.6.  Actual “Take Home” 2019 Remuneration Awarded to CEO and Senior Executives

The actual remuneration awarded during the year comprises the following elements:

•   Cash salary including superannuation benefits and any salary sacrifice arrangements, but excluding  

at the vesting date);

termination payments;

•   Other short-term benefits comprised of the personal financial advice allowance and travel allowance;
•   STI cash payment;

•    Conditional Rights vested (being the number of conditional rights that vested multiplied by the market price  

•    LTI vested and exercised (being the number of performance rights that vested and were exercised multiplied by 

the market price at the exercise date).

These values differ from the executive statutory remuneration table and have not been prepared in accordance  

with statutory requirements and Australian Accounting Standards.

KMP

Year

Short-Term Benefits (A$)

Share Based Payments (A$)

Total “Take Home” 

Remuneration, Excluding 

Remuneration 

Termination (A$)

Total 

(A$)

FAR including 
superannuation

STI

Other

Total

Conditional  

Rights

Performance  

Rights

Mike Ferraro

Grant Dempsey1

Chris Thiris2

Galina Kraeva3

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

Total Executive 
Remuneration

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

1,339,600

1,306,900

438,750

726,400

300,000

72,727

556,300

542,700

415,100

405,000

3,049,750

3,053,727

–

–

–

335,420

70,000

16,000

302,000

270,000

141,000

122,000

513,000

743,420

7,702

13,261

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,702

13,261

1,347,302

1,320,161

438,750

1,061,820

370,000

88,727

858,300

812,700

556,100

527,000

3,570,452

3,810,408

1.  Mr Dempsey appointed CFO on 1 July 2019.

2.  Termination payment for Mr Thiris is included in the table on page 50.

3.  Ms Kraeva appointed Interim CFO from 19 November 2018 to 30 June 2019.

52

379,160

333,508

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

379,160

333,508

–

–

–

–

–

502,331

202,578

156,940

198,526

827,518

700,857

Total

379,160

333,508

502,331

202,578

–

–

–

156,940

198,526

1,206,678

1,034,365

468,000

468,000

1,726,462

1,653,669

438,750

1,564,151

572,578

88,727

1,326,300

812,700

713,040

725,526

4,777,130

4,844,773

2,078,359

2,041,966

512,571

1,099,683

398,956

95,132

990,709

939,797

641,633

617,400

4,622,228

4,793,978

2.6.  Actual “Take Home” 2019 Remuneration Awarded to CEO and Senior Executives

The actual remuneration awarded during the year comprises the following elements:

•   Cash salary including superannuation benefits and any salary sacrifice arrangements, but excluding  

at the vesting date);

•   Other short-term benefits comprised of the personal financial advice allowance and travel allowance;

the market price at the exercise date).

•    LTI vested and exercised (being the number of performance rights that vested and were exercised multiplied by 

•    Conditional Rights vested (being the number of conditional rights that vested multiplied by the market price  

These values differ from the executive statutory remuneration table and have not been prepared in accordance  
with statutory requirements and Australian Accounting Standards.

termination payments;

•   STI cash payment;

KMP

Year

Short-Term Benefits (A$)

Share Based Payments (A$)

Total “Take Home” 
Remuneration, Excluding 
Termination (A$)

Total 
Remuneration 
(A$)

FAR including 

superannuation

STI

Other

Total

Conditional  
Rights

Performance  
Rights

Mike Ferraro

Grant Dempsey1

Chris Thiris2

Galina Kraeva3

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

Total Executive 

Remuneration

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

1,339,600

1,306,900

438,750

726,400

300,000

72,727

556,300

542,700

415,100

405,000

3,049,750

3,053,727

–

–

–

335,420

70,000

16,000

302,000

270,000

141,000

122,000

513,000

743,420

7,702

13,261

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,702

13,261

1,347,302

1,320,161

438,750

1,061,820

370,000

88,727

858,300

812,700

556,100

527,000

3,570,452

3,810,408

1.  Mr Dempsey appointed CFO on 1 July 2019.

2.  Termination payment for Mr Thiris is included in the table on page 50.

3.  Ms Kraeva appointed Interim CFO from 19 November 2018 to 30 June 2019.

379,160

333,508

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

379,160

333,508

1,726,462

1,653,669

438,750

1,564,151

572,578

88,727

1,326,300

812,700

713,040

725,526

4,777,130

4,844,773

2,078,359

2,041,966

512,571

1,099,683

398,956

95,132

990,709

939,797

641,633

617,400

4,622,228

4,793,978

–

–

–

502,331

202,578

–

Total

379,160

333,508

–

502,331

202,578

–

468,000

468,000

–

156,940

198,526

827,518

700,857

–

156,940

198,526

1,206,678

1,034,365

A LUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT  2019

53

REMUNERATION REPORT3.  Non-Executive Directors Remuneration

3.1.  Remuneration Outcomes in 2019

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 $1,176,500 was paid in Non-Executive Director fees in 2019. Other than the Chairman, who receives a single base fee of 
$410,000 (inclusive superannuation), Non-Executive Directors receive a base fee plus additional fees for membership of 
Board Committees and superannuation contribution. Non-Executive Directors do not participate in incentive plans or 
receive any retirement benefits other than statutory superannuation contributions. 

As a result of a Director fee review, the Board resolved to increase Board Committees membership fees for 2020, whilst 
keeping the Director base fee and Chairman fee unchanged. These increases were made so that the composition of NED 
fees at Alumina are appropriate relative to market (whilst still having regard to the non-operating nature of Alumina’s 
business), and so that fees remain competitive to attract and retain high calibre directors. This is the first increase in  
fees since 2011 and does not require an increase to the Director fee pool.

Base fee

Compensation Committee – Chair 

Compensation Committee – Member

Audit and Risk Management Committee – Chair 

Audit and Risk Management Committee – Member

Sustainability Committee – Chair 

Sustainability Committee – Member

Nomination Committee – Chair

Nomination Committee – Member

2019 
A$

150,000

30,000

5,000

30,000

5,000

– 
–

10,000

–

 2020 
A$

150,000

35,000

10,000

35,000

10,000

–

10,000

10,000

–

All Non-Executive Directors enter into a service agreement with the company in the form of a letter of appointment.  
The letter summarises the board policies and terms, including remuneration, relevant to the office of director.

54

The table below provides a summary of the actual remuneration received by each Non-Executive Director and is prepared 
in accordance with statutory requirements and relevant accounting standards.

Non-Executive 
Director

Peter Day2,3

Emma Stein4

Deborah O’Toole3

Chen Zeng

John Bevan4

John Pizzey2

Total Non-Executive 
Director Remuneration

Year

Short-Term Benefits (A$)

Post Employment 
Benefits (A$)

Fees

Non-Monetary

Total

Superannuation1

Total 
Remuneration 
(A$)

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2018

2019

2018

389,233

338,472

185,000

187,500

185,000

178,750

160,000

160,000

170,000

167,500

97,488

1,089,233

1,129,710

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

389,233

338,472

185,000

187,500

185,000

178,750

160,000

160,000

170,000

167,500

97,488

1,089,233

1,129,710

20,767

410,000

19,672

17,575

17,813

17,575

16,981

15,200

15,200

16,150

15,912

5,012

358,144

202,575

205,313

202,575

195,731

175,200

175,200

186,150

183,412

102,500

87,267

1,176,500

90,590

1,220,300

1.  The applicable superannuation contribution rate for 2019 and 2018 was 9.5 per cent.

2.  Mr Pizzey retired as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman on 31 March 2018. Mr Day was appointed as Chairman on 1 April 2018.

3. 

4. 

 Mr Day resigned as Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee (“ARMC”) on 31 March 2018. Ms O’Toole was appointed  
as Chair of ARMC on 1 April 2018. 

 Ms Stein resigned as Chair of the Nomination Committee on 31 March 2018. Mr Bevan was appointed as Chair of the Nomination 
Committee on 1 April 2018. Mr Bevan was appointed a Non-Executive Director on 1 January 2018.

55

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORT3.2.  Non-Executive Directors 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 the 
Director’s base fee within five years from their appointment as a Director.

Non-Executive  
Director

Year

Number of Shares 
as at 1 January1

Number of Shares 
Acquired During 
the Year

Number Of Shares 
as at 31 December1

Policy Compliance 
Date2 

Peter Day

Emma Stein

Deborah O’Toole

Chen Zeng2

John Bevan

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

75,720

75,720

84,794

84,794

8,000

–

4,804

4,804

300,154

300,154

–

–

–

–

–

8,000

–

–

–

75,270

75,720

84,794

84,794

8,000

8,000

4,804

4,804

300,154

300,154

03/11/2014 

24/02/2014

01/12/2024

–3

01/01/2018

1. 

 Number 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.  Date on which compliance with Director shareholding policy is required or has been satisfied.

3.  Mr Zeng is a nominee of CITIC and CITIC holds 548,959,208 ordinary fully paid shares in Alumina Limited.

4.  Additional Disclosures

4.1.  Reconciliation of Conditional Rights Held by CEO and CFO

KMP

Year1

Number Of Rights

Value of Rights (A$)

Total as at 
1 January

Granted
During
the Year1,2

Vested
During
the Year3

Lapsed
During
the Year 4

Total 
as at
31 Dec5

Granted
During 
the Year1,2

Vested
During 
the Year6

Lapsed
During
the Year4

Maximum
Value of
Rights Yet to
Vest (A$)7

Mike Ferraro 
(CEO)

Grant Dempsey 
(CFO)

2019

169,268 183,515

(169,268)

– 183,515

420,250

(379,160)

2018

122,164

169,268

(122,164)

– 169,268

410,000

(333,508)

2019

–

49,842

–

–

49,842

118,125

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1. 

2. 

3. 

 Mr Ferraro receives Conditional Rights replacing an STI component. The number of Conditional Rights is determined by dividing the set 
value of $420,250 (2018: $410,000) by a Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) of $2.29 (2018: $2.42), independently calculated by 
Mercer. Mr Ferraro’s FAR increased by 2.5% in 2019 therefore the total value of the Conditional Rights grant increased. 

 Mr Dempsey receives Conditional rights. The number of Conditional Rights is determined by dividing the set value of $236,250 pro rated for 
2019 by a VWAP of $2.37. Mr Dempsey received a pro-rated allocation in 2019 calculated from his commencement date of 1 July 2019 as CFO.

 The terms of Conditional Rights granted were not altered during 2019. The number of Conditional Rights vested is the number granted 
in the prior years, following the completion of the required conditions. For both Mr Ferraro and Mr Dempsey there is a three-year trading 
restriction on the shares from grant date as long as they remain employed by the Company.

4. 

 No Conditional Rights lapsed.

5. 

 Number of Conditional Rights yet to meet the required condition and have not lapsed.

6. 

 Value vested is equal to the number of Conditional Rights that have satisfied the required conditions multiplied by the share price at  
the time of vesting. In 2019, for Mr Ferraro, it was 169,268 Conditional Rights by the share price of $2.24 on 7 January 2019. In 2018, it was 
122,164 Conditional Rights by the share price of $2.73 on 8 June 2018.

7. 

 The maximum value of the Conditional Rights is based on the number of rights that vest and are released at the expiration of the 
conditional period, multiplied by the share price on the date of release.

56

4.2.  Value Change Over Time of the CEO’s and CFO’s Conditional Rights

KMP

Year

Number  
of Rights

Mike Ferraro 
(CEO)

Grant Dempsey 
(CFO)

2019

2018

Total

2019

Total

183,515

169,268

352,783

49,842

49,842

Granted During the Year1,2

As at Vesting Date3

As at December 20194

Value of Rights (A$)1

420,250

410,000

830,250

118,125

118,125

–

379,160

379,160

–

–

422,085

–

422,085

114,637

114,637

1. 

 The number of Conditional Rights is determined by dividing the set value of $420,250 (2018: $410,000) by a VWAP of $2.29 (2018: $2.42), 
independently calculated by Mercer. Mr Ferraro’s FAR increased by 2.5% in 2019 therefore the total value of the initial Conditional Rights 
grant increased. 

2. 

 The number of Conditional Rights is determined by dividing the set value of $236,250 by a VWAP of $2.37, independently calculated by 
Mercer. Mr Dempsey received a pro-rata allocation in 2019 calculated from his commencement date of 1 July 2019 as CFO.

3. 

 The value of Conditional Rights vested is determined by the number of vested Rights multiplied by the market price at the vesting date.

4. 

 The value of Conditional Rights as at 31 December 2019 is determined by the number of vested Rights multiplied by the market price 
at the date.

4.3.  Reconciliation of Performance Rights Held by KMP

KMP

Year1

Number of Performance Rights

Total as at 
1 January2

Granted
During
the Year3

Exercised
During
the Year4,5

Lapsed
During
the Year6

Total as at 
31 December7

Yet to be 
Exercised as at 
31 December

Yet to 
Vest as at 
31 December

Mike Ferraro

2019

339,900

213,300

2018

141,900

198,000

–

–

–

–

Chris Thiris

2018

405,900

127,900

(230,381)

(141,769)

Galina Kraeva

2019

114,487

31,500

(86,687)

–

2018

88,300

27,800

–

(1,613)

553,200

339,900

161,650

59,300

114,487

–

–

–

–

50,087

553,200

339,900

161,650

59,300

64,400

Stephen Foster

2019

393,159

98,000

(172,059)

–

319,100

125,600

193,500

2018

303,200

95,500

–

(5,541)

393,159

172,059

221,100

Andrew Wood

2019

120,000

54,900

(66,500)

–

108,400

2018

160,500

53,500

(91,067)

(2,933)

120,000

–

–

108,400

120,000

1. 

 2019 include Performance Rights granted on 21 January 2019 (2018: 18 January 2018) for the three-year performance test period 
concluding 12 December 2021. (2018: 4 December 2020).

2. 

 Includes the number of Performance Rights granted that were subject to testing in 2019.

3. 

4. 

5. 

 The terms of Performance Rights granted were not altered during 2019. Number of Performance Rights granted calculated as the annual 
dollar value of the LTI grant divided by the average Company share price over the 20 trading days leading up to the time that the Board 
determined to make offers under the LTI plan for the relevant year.

 The number of Performance Rights that vested in 2019 due to testing of Tranche 17. For the rights tested against the ASX Comparator 
Group, 100 per cent vested and 100 per cent vested in relation to the International Comparator Group.

 Performance Rights vest on satisfaction of the performance criteria. 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 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 exercised, then they will be deemed to be exercised by the eligible participant.

6.   The number of the Performance Rights that did not meet the criteria for vesting and therefore lapsed. In 2018, it also includes 134,350 

Performance Rights for Mr Thiris that lapsed on a proportional basis from his retirement date to the end of the relevant performance period.

7. 

 Includes number of Performance Rights granted subject to future testing (yet to vest) and number of Performance rights vested but yet 
to be exercised.

57

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORTKMP

Year1

Value of Performance Rights (A$)

Mike Ferraro

Chris Thiris

Galina Kraeva

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

2019

2018

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

Granted 
During 
the Year1

283,689

282,150

Exercised
During 
the Year2

Lapsed
During 
the Year2

Yet to be
Exercised1

–

–

–

–

182,258

502,331

(176,693)

41,895

202,578

–

39,615

–

(1,274)

39,569

130,340

468,000

–

129,368

136,088

–

(4,377)

135,927

73,017

156,940

–

76,238

198,526

(2,317)

–

–

–

–

–

–

Minimum
Value of Grants
Yet to Vest3

Maximum Value
of Grant Yet to
Vest or to be
Exercised1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

828,354

544,665

184,569

81,510

77,313

266,428

265,456

149,255

144,733

1. 

 Calculated by multiplying the number of rights by the fair value as at the date of the grant, independently calculated 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.

2.  The value of Performance Rights exercised is determined by the number of Rights multiplied by the market price at the exercise date.

3.  The minimum value of the Performance Rights for any given year is zero.

4.4.  Reconciliation of Ordinary Shares Held by KMP

KMP

Year1

Number of Ordinary Shares

Total as at 
1 January2

Acquired
During the
Year Under LTI2

Acquired 
During the 
Year CEO 
Conditional 
Rights

Other Shares 
Acquired 
During 
the Year

Sold During 
the Year

Total as at 
31 December

Mike Ferraro

Grant 
Dempsey

Chris Thiris

Galina Kraeva

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

190,164

68,000

–

900,000

25,770

25,770

–

–

–

230,381

86,687

–

Stephen Foster

2019

798,234

172,059

Andrew Wood

2018

2019

2018

765,748

289,033

197,966

–

66,500

91,067

169,268

122,164

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

32,486

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

359,432

190,164

–

1,130,381

112,457

25,770

970,293

798,234

355,533

289,033

1. 

2. 

 Number 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.

 For 2019, includes 2017 vested Performance Rights that were tested in December 2019 and Rights vested in prior years, which were 
exercised during 2019. For 2018, includes vested 2016 vested Performance Rights that were tested in December 2018 and exercised in 2018.

58

4.5.  CEO and Senior 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).

Term of Agreement and Notice Period

Termination Payments1

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.

•   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 (effective 
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.

Grant Dempsey, Stephen Foster, Andrew Wood and Galina Kraeva

•  No fixed term.

•  An additional payment which is the greater of:

•   Six month notice from the Company, three 

– A payment equivalent to six months Base Remuneration; or

month notice from Mr Dempsey and Mr Foster.

– A payment comprising:

•   Four month notice from the Company,  

two month notice from Mr Wood.

•   Three month notice from the Company,  
three month notice from Ms Kraeva.

–  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

– nine weeks ex gratia payment.

1. 

 Payable upon termination with notice and without cause (e.g. 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 executive’s 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 Mr Dempsey; 
and FAR + STI at target for Mr Foster, Mr Wood and Ms Kraeva.

The above termination entitlements are subject to any restrictions imposed by the Corporations Act.

59

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019REMUNERATION REPORT 
4.6.  Cessation of Employment

4.8. Clawback Policy

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.

4.7.  Change of Control

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 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.

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.

4.9.  Share Trading and Hedge Prohibition

Performance Rights and Conditional 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.

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

W Peter Day • Chairman
24 March 2020

60

The Company’s strong balance sheet and joint 
venture distribution arrangements have been 
crucial in delivering another year of healthy 
dividends to shareholders.

61

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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,  
unless otherwise specified.

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  
24 March 2020.

All press releases, financial reports  
and other information are available  
at our Investor Centre on our website: 
www.aluminalimited.com.

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 2019

About This Report 

Group structure and AWAC performance

1.  Segment Information 

2. 

3. 

Investment in Associates 

Investments in Controlled Entities 

Financial and Capital Risk

4.   Financial Assets and Liabilities 

5.  Financial Risk Management 

6.  Capital Management 

Key Numbers

7.  Expenses 

8. 

Income Tax Expense 

9.  Equity 

10.  Cash Flow Information 

Additional Disclosures

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 Report  
to the Members of Alumina Limited 

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

50

51

53

57

58

58

61

62

63

64

65

65

65

65

67

69

69

70

62

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

Notes

US$ Million

Revenue from continuing operations

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

2(c)

General and administrative expenses

Change in fair value of derivatives/foreign exchange losses

Finance costs

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense

7(b)

8

Profit for the period attributable to the owners of Alumina Limited

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 post-employment benefit obligations accounted for 
using the equity method

Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the period, net of tax

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

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

2019

2.5

232.0

(12.1)

(1.0)

(7.3)

214.1

(0.1)

214.0

2018

1.6

653.5

(11.6)

(1.4)

(6.7)

635.4

–

635.4

9(b)

1.8

(33.2)

0.4

(217.6)

(3.4)

(0.5)

(34.8)

179.2

(217.7)

417.7

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

9(a)

9(a)

7.4¢

7.4¢

22.1¢

22.1¢

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

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019

63

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Other assets

Total current assets

Non-Current Assets

Investment in associates

Total non-current assets

Total Assets

Current Liabilities

Payables

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Provisions

Other liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

Borrowings

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Treasury shares

Reserves

Retained earnings

Total Equity

Notes

US$ Million

2019

2018

4(a)

2(c)

4(b)

4(c)

4(b)

9(a)

9(a)

15.2

1.8

17.0

183.8

1.1

184.9

1,836.8

1,836.8

1,853.8

2,060.2

2,060.2

2,245.1

0.9

–

–

0.3

–

1.2

70.0

0.5

70.5

71.7

1,782.1

1.2

88.0

19.0

0.2

0.4

108.8

–

0.5

0.5

109.3

2,135.8

2,682.9

2,682.9

(0.8)

(1.2)

(1,283.9)

(1,252.0)

383.9

1,782.1

706.1

2,135.8

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

64

ALU MI NA  LI MI TE D Y EAR  ENDED   31  DE CE M BER   20 19

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Balance as at 1 January 2018

Profit for the period

Other comprehensive loss for the period

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Dividends paid

Movement in treasury shares

9(a)

Movement in share based payments reserve

Notes

Contributed
and Other
Equity1

US$ Million

Reserves

Retained 
Earnings

Total

2,682.0

(1,034.7)

586.7

2,234.0

–

–

–

(0.3)

–

–

635.4

635.4

(217.2)

(0.5)

(217.7)

–

–

(0.1)

(515.5)

(515.5)

–

–

(0.3)

(0.1)

Balance as at 31 December 2018

2,681.7

(1,252.0)

706.1

2,135.8

Balance as at 1 January 2019

Profit for the period

Other comprehensive loss for the period

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Dividends paid

Movement in treasury shares

9(a)

Movement in share based payments reserve

2,681.7

(1,252.0)

706.1

2,135.8

–

–

–

0.4

–

–

(31.4)

–

–

(0.5)

214.0

214.0

(3.4)

(34.8)

(532.8)

(532.8)

–

–

0.4

(0.5)

Balance as at 31 December 2019

2,682.1

(1,283.9)

383.9

1,782.1

1  Comprises of contributed equity and treasury shares.
The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

65

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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

2019

2018

(11.9)

0.5

381.7

–

(8.3)

(3.3)

3.3

2.6

(10.7)

0.4

657.2

0.2

(8.1)

(5.1)

5.7

1.7

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

10(a)

364.6

641.3

Cash flows from investing activities

Payments for investments in associates

Proceeds from return of invested capital

Net cash inflow/(outflow) 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

Net payments related to cross currency interest rate swap

Dividends paid

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase 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.

(51.0)

90.2

39.2

325.0

(341.2)

(21.7)

(0.9)

(532.8)

(571.6)

(167.8)

183.8

(0.8)

15.2

(108.8)

129.6

20.8

75.0

(75.0)

(1.2)

–

(515.5)

(516.7)

145.4

40.0

(1.6)

183.8

66

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2019

About this Report 

The Notes to the Financial Statements

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 2019 was authorised for issue in accordance 
with a resolution of the Directors on 24 March 2020.

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 the 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 period beginning  
1 January 2019.

•   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 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, or

•   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 Alcoa World Alumina and 

Chemicals (“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.

•   Additional Disclosures: 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, Critical Accounting  
Estimates and Judgements

Significant and other accounting policies that summarise 
the measurement basis used and are relevant to the 
understanding of the financial statements, as well as 
critical accounting estimates and judgements are provided 
throughout the notes to the financial statements.

67

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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.

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

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:

•   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 share of such exchange differences is 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 forms 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.

2019

Investments in associates

Other assets

Liabilities

Australia

1,118.1

7.3

(71.7)

US$ Million

Spain

114.0

–

–

Brazil

570.6

9.5

–

Consolidated net assets

1,053.7

580.1

114.0

2018

Investments in associates

Other assets

Liabilities

Australia

1,150.0

184.3

(109.3)

US$ Million

Spain

127.0

–

–

Brazil

649.9

0.3

–

Other

34.1

0.2

–

34.3

Other

133.3

0.3

–

Total

1,836.8

17.0

(71.7)

1,782.1

Total

2,060.2

184.9

(109.3)

Consolidated net assets

1,225.0

650.2

127.0

133.6

2,135.8

68

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

2.  Investment 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

2019

2018

Alcoa of Australia Limited

Bauxite, alumina and aluminium production

Australia

Alcoa World Alumina LLC

Bauxite and alumina trading and production

USA

Alumina Espanola S.A.

Alumina production

Alcoa World Alumina Brasil Ltda. Bauxite and alumina production

Spain

Brazil

AWA Saudi Ltda.

Bauxite and alumina production

Hong Kong

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 (AWAC entity) 
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 
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 benefit 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 recognises 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.

69

Asset retirement obligations 
The estimated costs of rehabilitating mined areas and 
restoring operating sites are reviewed annually and fully 
provided at the present value. The amount of obligations 
recognised under US GAAP by AWAC is adjusted to be  
in compliance with AAS. This requires judgemental 
assumptions regarding the 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 

recoverable amount of the investment in AWAC using  
a discounted cash flow model (“DCF model”); and

•  Comparing the resulting value to the carrying value.

The key assumptions used in the DCF model to estimate 
future cash flows are those relating to future alumina and 
aluminium prices, exchange rates, energy prices and 
other input prices. 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).

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.

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 20192.  Investment in Associates (continued)

As a final check, the carrying 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 
2019 and 31 December 2018.

(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

Reconciliation to investment in associates balance:

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

Carrying value

Reconciliation of carrying amount:

Opening carrying value 1 January

Net additional (return)/funding in AWAC entities

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

Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year

Dividends and distributions paid

Closing carrying value

2019

1,355.4

5,191.7

(1,072.9)

(1,490.9)

3,983.3

40%

1,593.4

175.8

100.6

(33.0)

2018

1,929.9

5,336.2

(1,464.7)

(1,263.2)

4,538.2

40%

1,815.3

175.8

102.8

(33.7)

1,836.8

2,060.2

2,060.2

(39.3)

232.0

(34.4)

(381.7)

1,836.8

2,301.0

(20.8)

653.5

(216.1)

(657.4)

2,060.2

70

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

2.  Investment 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 (loss)/income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Reconciliation to share of net profit of associates:

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

2019

2018

5,215.8

6,749.4

583.8

583.8

(84.2)

499.6

40%

233.5

(2.1)

0.6

1,637.5

1,637.5

(540.2)

1,097.3

40%

655.0

(2.1)

0.6

Share of net profit of associates accounted for using equity method

232.0

653.5

(d)  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities for AWAC

Contingent liabilities – claims
There are potential obligations 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 the 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.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has undertaken a 
transfer pricing examination in respect of certain historic  
third-party alumina sales made by Alcoa of Australia 
Limited (AoA) over a 20 year period. 

As a result of this examination, the ATO has issued a 
statement of audit position (SOAP) to AoA, in which the 
ATO proposes a tax payment of approximately A$212 
million (excluding interest and penalties).

The SOAP is currently the subject of an independent 
review process within the ATO. At the completion of this 
review the ATO may or may not issue a tax assessment  
in respect of this matter. If a tax assessment is issued,  
it is expected that AoA would pay 50% of the disputed  
tax amount to the ATO. AoA could then object to the 
assessment and pursue all available dispute resolution 
methods up to and including the filing and conduct of 
Court proceedings. Should AoA succeed in its defence, it 
would receive a refund of any payment made to the ATO.

Alumina Limited (as the owner of 40% of the capital of 
AoA) disagrees with the position taken in the SOAP, and 
understands that AoA will defend its position. No charge 
has been recognised by AoA in relation to this matter.

Commitments
AWAC has outstanding bank guarantees and letters 
of credit primarily related to environmental and leasing 
obligations, legal matters, and customs duties, 
among others. 

The total amount committed under these instruments, 
which automatically renew or expire at various dates, 
before 2021, was $135.9 million at December 31, 2019. 

AWAC has outstanding surety bonds primarily related 
to customs duties. The total amount committed under 
these bonds, which automatically renew or expire at 
various dates, between 2020 and 2024, was $6.7 million  
at December 31, 2019.

71

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 20193. Investments in Controlled Entities

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Alumina Limited as 
at 31 December 2019 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 2019 are set out below.

Name

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

Notes

Place of 
Incorporation

Percentage 
Ownership

2019

2018

A

A

B

C

A

D

B

D

D

VIC, Australia

VIC, Australia

Delaware, USA

VIC, Australia

VIC, Australia

Brazil

Delaware, USA

Brazil

UK

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

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 as it is non-operating or audited accounts is not required in its country 

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

C.   The company has been granted 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

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

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.

2019

Cash and cash equivalents – Note 4(a)

Receivables

Total financial assets

Payables

Borrowings – Note 4 (b)

Total financial liabilities

Net financial assets/(liabilities)

2018

Cash and cash equivalents – Note 4(a)

Total financial assets

Payables

Borrowings – Note 4 (b)

Derivative financial instruments – Note 4(c)

Total financial liabilities

Net financial assets/(liabilities)

At Fair Value  
Through Profit 
or Loss

At 
Amortised 
Cost

US$ Million

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

15.2

–

15.2

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(55.7)

At Fair Value  
Through Profit 
or Loss

At 
Amortised 
Cost

US$ Million

–

–

–

–

(19.0)

(19.0)

(19.0)

183.8

183.8

(1.2)

(88.0)

–

(89.2)

(108.2)

94.6

75.6

Total

15.2

–

15.2

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(55.7)

Total

183.8

183.8

(1.2)

(88.0)

(19.0)

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. 

73

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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

2019

15.2

–

15.2

2018

2.8

181.0

183.8

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. Refer to note 5(b).

Bank loans

Fixed rate note

Total borrowings

US$ Million

2019

70.0

–

70.0

2018

–

88.0

88.0

Bank loans
In June 2019 Alumina Limited rolled over a tranche of the bank facility that was due to mature in July 2020 and established 
a new tranche under the same facility.

As a result, Alumina Limited has a US$350 million syndicated bank facility with three tranches maturing in October 2022 
(US$100 million), July 2023 (US$150 million) and July 2024 (US$100 million). As at 31 December 2019 there was US$70 million 
drawn against the syndicated facility so the undrawn available facility amount as at 31 December 2019 was $280 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. 
On 30 July 2019, as permitted under the terms and conditions, the Company redeemed the outstanding principal amount 
plus interest accrued to 30 July 2019. There was no penalty incurred to redeem the Note early. The Company also terminated, 
by cash settlement, the CCIRS which was used to mitigate the currency and interest rate exposure in relation to the note. 
The total cash required to repay the Note and the CCIRS was equivalent to US$108.4 million plus accrued interest. The 
funds used to repay the Note and CCIRS were drawn down from an existing bank facility.

74

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

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 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. The Company terminated 
the Cross-currency interest rate swap which was used to mitigate the currency and interest rate exposure in relation to 
Fixed rate note which was redeemed on 30 July 2019, refer note 4(b).

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.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

2019

US$ Million

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

Total financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

2018

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

Total financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

–

–

–

–

–

–

19.0

19.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

19.0

19.0

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 are 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

Market risk:  
foreign currency

Financial assets and liabilities denominated 
in a currency other than US$

Cash flow forecasting  
& sensitivity analysis

Cross-currency interest  
rate swaps

Market risk: 
interest rate

Credit risk

Long-term borrowings at fixed rates

Sensitivity analysis

Cash and cash equivalents, and derivative 
financial instruments

Credit ratings

Liquidity risk

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.

75

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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 was issued in Australian dollars. To mitigate the exposure to the AUD/USD exchange rate and 
Australian interest rates the Group had 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:

2019

Cash and cash equivalents

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

Derivative financial instruments (notional principal)

Net financial assets/(liabilities)

2018

Cash and cash equivalents

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

Derivative financial instruments (notional principal)

Net financial assets/(liabilities)

USD

AUD

Other

Total

US$ Million

5.7

5.7

–

–

–

5.7

–

5.7

1.1

1.1

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(69.8)

–

(69.8)

8.4

8.4

–

–

–

8.4

–

8.4

15.2

15.2

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(55.7)

–

(55.7)

USD

AUD

Other

Total

US$ Million

182.2

182.2

–

–

–

182.2

(108.4)

73.8

1.4

1.4

(1.2)

(88.0)

(89.2)

(87.8)

108.4

20.6

0.2

0.2

–

–

–

0.2

–

0.2

183.8

183.8

(1.2)

(88.0)

(89.2)

94.6

–

94.6

76

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

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.

On the 30th July 2019, the Company redeemed the outstanding A$125 million fixed rate note principal amount plus 
interest accrued. The Company also terminated, by cash settlement, the CCIRS which was used to mitigate the currency 
and interest rate exposure in relation to the note. 

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:

2019

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

Weighted average interest rate before derivatives

Weighted average interest rate after derivatives

2018

Cash and cash equivalents

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

Weighted average interest rate before derivatives

Weighted average interest rate after derivatives

Floating 
Interest

Fixed  
Interest

Non-Interest 
Bearing

US$ Million

15.2

–

15.2

–

–

–

15.2

3.7%

3.7%

–

–

–

–

(70.0)

(70.0)

(70.0)

5.5%

4.4%

–

–

–

(0.9)

–

(0.9)

(0.9)

Floating 
Interest

Fixed  
Interest

Non-Interest 
Bearing

US$ Million

183.8

183.8

–

–

–

183.8

3.8%

3.8%

–

–

–

(88.0)

(88.0)

(88.0)

5.9%

4.5%

–

–

(1.2)

–

(1.2)

(1.2)

Total

15.2

–

15.2

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(55.7)

Total

183.8

183.8

(1.2)

(88.0)

(89.2)

94.6

Had interest rates on floating rate debt during 2019 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$0.8 million lower/higher (2018: US$0.6 million 
lower/higher).

77

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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:

2018

–

250.0

250.0

Total

0.9

70.0

70.9

–

1.2

88.0

89.2

19.0

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

2019

–

280.0

280.0

2019

Trade payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Derivative financial liabilities

2018

Trade payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Derivative financial liabilities

Less Than 
6 Months

6–12 
Months 

1–2 
Years

2–5 
Years

US$ Million

–

–

–

–

–

88.0

88.0

19.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

70.0

70.0

–

–

–

–

–

0.9

–

0.9

–

1.2

–

1.2

–

78

 
NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

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 2019 and 31 December 2018 were as follows:

Total borrowings

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net debt/(cash)

Total borrowings

Total equity

Total capital

Gearing ratio 

(b)  Dividends

Interim dividend of US4.4 cents fully franked at 30% per fully paid share declared 
23 August 2019 and paid on 12 September 2019 (2018: US8.6 cents fully franked at 
30% per fully paid share declared 23 August 2018 and paid on 20 September 2018)

Final dividend of US14.1 cents fully franked at 30% per fully paid share declared 
21 February 2019 and paid on 14 March 2019 (2018: US9.3 cents fully franked at 
30% per fully paid share declared 22 February 2018 and paid on 15 March 2018)

US$ Million

2019

70.0

(15.2)

54.8

70.0

1,782.1

1,852.1

3.0%

US$ Million

2019

126.7

2018

88.0

(183.8)

(95.8)

88.0

2,135.8

2,223.8

(4.3%)

2018

247.7

406.1

267.8

Total dividends

532.8

515.5

Since the year-end the Directors have recommended the payment of a final dividend of US3.6 cents per share (2018: 
US14.1 cents per share), fully franked based on the tax paid at 30%. The record date to determine entitlements to the 
dividend is 2 March 2020. The aggregate amount of the dividend paid on 17 March 2020 from retained earnings at  
31 December 2019, which has not been recognised as a liability at the year-end, is $103.7 million.

(c)  Franked Dividends

Franking credits available for subsequent financial years,  
based on a tax rate of 30% (2018: 30%)

US$ Million

2019

383.5

2018

473.2

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.

Fully franked dividends received from AWAC in the financial year 

381.7

657.2

79

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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 the 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 upon 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 percent 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

(b)  Finance Costs 

US$ Million

2019

2018

0.2

5.0

5.2

0.2

5.5

5.7

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

2019

2018

4.6

2.3

0.4

7.3

4.3

2.1

0.3

6.7

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 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.

80

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

Current tax

Deferred tax

Aggregate income tax expense

US$ Million

2019

(0.1)

–

(0.1)

2018

–

–

–

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.

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 assets/(liabilities) before tax losses

Deductible temporary differences and tax losses not recognised

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

US$ Million

2019

–

–

0.5

–

0.4

0.9

0.9

(0.9)

–

2018

(5.6)

(5.6)

0.2

5.7

0.1

6.0

0.4

(0.4)

–

Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent of deferred tax liabilities existing at the 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.

81

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 20198.  Income Tax Expense (continued)

(b)  Numerical Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense to Prima Facie Tax Payable

Profit before income tax

Prima facie tax expense 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

2019

214.1

(64.2)

2018

635.4

(190.6)

Share of equity accounted profit not assessable for tax

(232.0)

(653.5)

Foreign income subject to accruals tax

Share of Partnership income assessable for tax

Amounts non-assessable for tax

Timing differences not recognised

Tax losses not recognised

Non-deductible expenses

Previously unrecognised tax losses now recouped to reduce current tax expense

Net movement

Consequent decrease in charge for income tax at the rate of 30%

Under provision of tax in prior years

Aggregate income tax expense

4.9

–

–

5.8

9.4

1.0

(3.2)

(214.1)

64.2

(0.1)

(0.1)

2.2

0.2

(0.1)

–

13.9

1.9

–

(635.4)

190.6

–

–

(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 (credit)/expense relating to items of other comprehensive income

(d)  Tax Losses Not Recognised

Tax losses – revenue

Tax losses – capital

Total unused tax losses

Potential tax benefit – revenue

Potential tax benefit – capital

Total potential tax benefit

82

US$ Million

2019

0.8

(2.1)

(1.3)

US$ Million

2019

1,204.0

944.7

2,148.7

290.9

283.4

574.3

2018

0.2

(0.5)

(0.3)

2018

1,155.7

951.5

2,107.2

280.7

285.4

566.1

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

9.  Equity

(a)  Contributed Equity

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.

Ordinary shares have no par value and the Company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital.

Movement in Share Capital

Number of Shares

US$ Million

Balance brought forward

2,879,843,498

2,879,843,498

Movement for the period

–

–

Total issued capital

2,879,843,498

2,879,843,498

2019

2018

2019

2,682.9

–

2,682.9

2018

2,682.9

–

2,682.9

Treasury shares
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$2.55 
per share (2018: A$2.32 per share))

Employee performance rights vested

Total treasury shares

2019

689,267

484,500

2018

700,445

684,500

(738,399)

435,368

(695,678)

689,267

2019

1,247,997

874,248

1,335,992

786,253

2018

906,873

1,241,548

(900,424)

1,247,997

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

2019

2018

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

2,879,143,308

2,878,674,535

(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

US$ Million

2019

(1,321.8)

(33.2)

(1,355.0)

2018

(1,104.2)

(217.6)

(1,321.8)

83

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 201910.  Cash Flow Information

(a)  Reconciliation of Profit After Income Tax to Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities

Profit from continuing operations after income tax

Share of net profit of associates accounted for using the 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 other assets

(Decrease)/increase in payables

(Decrease)/increase in other liabilities

(Decrease)/increase in provisions

Net cash inflow from operating activities

US$ Million

2019

214.0

(232.0)

381.7

0.8

1.4

365.9

(0.7)

(0.3)

(0.4)

0.1

364.6

2018

635.4

(653.5)

657.4

0.8

0.5

640.6

0.7

–

–

–

641.3

(b)  Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities 

There were no non-cash financing and investing activities during the year.

In 2018 there was a $100 million loan between two AWAC entities (100% AWAC level), which the borrower repaid using 
partners’ equity contributions ($40 million Alumina Limited’s share). Proceeds from the loan repayment were distributed 
back to the partners by the lender.

(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

Borrowing – repayable within one year

Borrowings – repayable after one year

Net (debt)/cash

Cash and liquid investments

Gross debt – fixed interest rates

Net (debt)/cash

US$ Million

2019

15.2

–

(70.0)

(54.8)

15.2

(70.0)

(54.8)

2018

183.8

(88.0)

–

95.8

183.8

(88.0)

95.8

84

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

Net debt as at 1 January 2018

Cash flows

Borrowings reclassification

Foreign exchange adjustments

Other non-cash movements

Net debt as at 31 December 2018

Cash flows

Foreign exchange adjustments

Other non-cash movement

Net cash as at 31 December 2019

ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE

11.  Related Party Transactions

US$ Million

Cash/Bank 
Overdraft

Borrowings Due 
Within 1 Year

Borrowings Due 
After 1 Year

40.0

145.4

–

(1.6)

–

183.8

(167.8)

(0.8)

–

15.2

–

–

(98.4)

9.4

1.0

(88.0)

86.3

–

1.7

–

Total

(58.4)

145.4

–

7.8

1.0

95.8

(98.4)

–

98.4

–

–

–

(70.0)

(151.5)

–

–

(0.8)

1.7

(70.0)

(54.8)

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 38-60 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 2019 of 0.6952 (2018: 0.7475) has been used for conversion.

Directors and Senior Executives

US$ 000’S

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment and termination benefits

Share based payments

Total 

2019

3,229

121

681

4,031

2018

3,676

457

682

4,815

(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 
2019, between the Group, its related parties, the Directors or key management personnel (2018: Nil).

85

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 201912.  Share-Based Payments

The Group provides benefits to employees (including the 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 38 to 60 of this annual report.

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

2019

Grant  
Date

Expiry  
Date

Balance 
at Start of  
the Year 
Number

Granted 
During  
the Year 
Number

20/1/2017

6/12/2019

454,480

1/6/2017

31/5/2020

141,900

18/1/2018

4/12/2020

467,408

–

–

–

21/1/2019

12/12/2021

–

454,300

Vested 
During  
the Year 
Number 

(454,480)

–

–

–

1,063,788

454,300

(454,480)

Lapsed 
During  
the Year 
Number

Balance at 
End of  
the Year 
Number

Yet to Be 
Exercised 
at the End 
of the Year

Yet To Vest 
at The End 
of the Year 
Number

–

–

–

–

–

–

125,600

–

141,900

467,408

454,300

–

–

–

141,900

467,408

454,300

1,063,608

125,600

1,063,608

Total

2018

Grant  
Date

Expiry  
Date

19/12/2016

7/12/2018

20/1/2017

6/12/2019

Balance 
at Start of  
the Year 
Number

839,664

506,674

Granted 
During  
the Year 
Number

Vested 
During  
the Year 
Number 

Lapsed 
During  
the Year 
Number

Balance at 
End of  
the Year 
Number

Yet to Be 
Exercised 
at the End 
of the Year

Yet To Vest 
at The End 
of the Year 
Number

–

–

–

(813,765)

(25,899)

–

240,251

–

–

–

–

(52,194)

454,480

–

141,900

(84,092)

467,408

–

–

–

454,480

141,900

467,408

1/6/2017

31/5/2020

141,900

18/1/2018

4/12/2020

–

551,500

Total

1,488,238

551,500

(813,765)

(162,185)

1,063,788

240,251

1,063,788

The weighted average remaining contractual life of performance rights outstanding at the end of the period was 1.3 years 
(2018: 1.4 years).

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

For further details refer to the remuneration report on page 41 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

CFO annual conditional share rights grant

Total

US$ 000’S

2019

500

292

41

833

2018

417

379

–

796

86

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

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:

Audit and review of financial reports

Overseas taxation services

Total 

US$ 000’S

2019

2018

380

3

29

13

425

397

3

29

7

436

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.

14.  Commitments and Contingencies

16.  Parent Entity Financial Information

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 2019 and 31 December 2018, other than  
as disclosed in Note 2(e) and Note 16(b).

15.  Events Occurring after the Reporting Period

The COVID-19 pandemic announced by the World  
Health Organisation subsequent to 31 December 2019 
is having a negative impact on global stock markets and 
business activity, which may have a flow-on effect to the 
operations of AWAC, its financial performance and its 
cash flows. In the current market environment, there  
is a continuing risk of fluctuations in exchange rates, 
disruption to the customer base and trade flows, a decline 
in the market prices of bauxite, alumina and aluminum 
and additional political and regulatory requirements.  
The timing and extent of the impact of the pandemic  
and the associated recovery process is unknown. Alumina 
continues to monitor the situation and no estimate of  
its financial effect can be made at this stage.

Except as above or disclosed in the Directors’ report or 
elsewhere in the Financial Statements, there have been 
no significant events occurring since 31 December 2019.

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

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

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint  
venture entities
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.

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

Tax consolidation legislation
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.

87

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019(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

(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 (40%) guarantee 
the payment of Espanola’s contracted gas pipeline utilisation 
over the four years of the commitment period. This 
guarantee expired on 15 July 2019.

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. The Guarantee 
expires upon economic completion date, which has now 
occurred. There were no existing/ongoing obligations.

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.

US$ Million

2019

2018

7.3

3,779.0

1.2

77.5

2,682.9

236.3

782.3

3,701.5

363.9

363.9

184.2

3,985.8

108.8

114.9

2,682.9

236.8

951.2

3,870.9

639.5

639.5

Alumina Limited, at the request of Alcoa of Australia 
has also entered into a guarantee for the performance 
of Espanola through an inter-company short-term loan 
agreement if required. This will expire on the  
27 September 2022.

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.

(c)  Contingent Liabilities of the Parent Entity

The parent entity did not have any contingent liabilities as 
at 31 December 2019 or 31 December 2018. For information 
about guarantees given by the parent entity refer above.

(d)   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 2019.

88

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

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

US$ Million

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

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

2019

381.7

2.4

(11.7)

(1.0)

(7.5)

363.9

–

363.9

–

363.9

2019

818.5

363.9

(532.8)

649.6

2018

657.4

1.4

(11.0)

(1.4)

(6.9)

639.5

–

639.5

–

639.5

2018

694.5

639.5

(515.5)

818.5

89

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 201917.  Deed of Cross Guarantee (continued)

(b)  Consolidated Balance Sheet

US$ Million

2019

2018

5.8

234.6

1.5

241.9

1,631.3

1,773.1

3,404.4

3,646.3

0.9

–

–

0.3

1.2

75.8

0.6

76.4

77.6

3,568.7

2,682.9

236.2

649.6

3,568.7

183.5

215.5

0.7

399.7

1,630.3

1,823.1

3,453.4

3,853.1

1.5

88.0

19.0

0.3

108.8

5.7

0.5

6.2

115.0

3,738.1

2,682.9

236.7

818.5

3,738.1

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Other assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Investment in associates

Other financial assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Payables

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Provisions

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Reserves

Retained profits

Total equity

90

NOTE S TO THE CONS OLI DATE D  FI NANC IAL  STATE M E NT S   
FOR TH E YEAR  E NDED  31  DECE M BE R  2 01 9

18.  New Accounting Standards and Interpretations 

i) Adopted by the Group

The group has applied the following standards and amendments for the first time for their annual reporting period 
commencing 1 January 2019:

•  AASB 16 Leases

•  AASB 2017-6 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation

•  AASB 2017-7 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures

•  AASB 2018-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Annual Improvements 2015-2017 Cycle

•  AASB 2018-2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement

•  Interpretation 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments.

The group also elected to adopt the following amendments early:

•  AASB 2018-7 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Definition of Material.

The change in accounting policies and amendments listed above did not have any impact on the amounts recognised  
in prior periods and are not expected to significantly affect the current or future periods.

ii) Not Yet Adopted by the Group

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the 31 December 
2019 reporting period and have not been early adopted by the Group. These standards are not expected to have a material 
impact on the entity in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions. 

Directors’ Declaration

In the Directors’ opinion:

a)   the financial statements and notes set out on pages 62 to 91 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, 

including: 

(i) 

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

(ii)   giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 31 December 2019 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.

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

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.

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

W Peter Day • Chairman
24 March 2020

91

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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 (Alumina or 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 2019 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 at 31 December 2019;
•  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; and
•  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 (including Independence Standards) (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.

92

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’s sole business undertaking is investing globally in bauxite mining and 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 (including Alcoa of Australia Limited) 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’s equity interest in AWAC forms one reportable segment. 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 under the equity method.

Materiality

Audit Scope

Key audit matters

 For the purpose of our audit we 
used overall Group materiality  
of $17.2 million, which represents 
approximately 5% of the  
Group’s profit before tax.

 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 Group profit before 
tax because, in our view, it is the 
benchmark against which the 
performance of the Group is 
most commonly measured. 

 We utilised a 5% threshold 
based on our professional 
judgement, noting it is within 
the range of commonly 
acceptable thresholds. 

 The Group engagement team directed the involvement 
of the component audit teams, which performed an 
audit of the financial information of Alcoa of Australia 
and AWAC. 

 We, the Group engagement team, determined and 
undertook an appropriate level of involvement in the 
work performed by the component audit teams, in  
order for us to be satisfied that sufficient audit evidence 
had been obtained to support our opinion on the  
Group financial report as a whole. We had regular 
communication with the component audit teams 
throughout the year and performed a review of their 
audit working papers. 

 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 are 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.

 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. We 
communicated the key audit 
matters to the Audit and  
Risk Committee.

Materiality

Key audit 
matters

Audit 
Scope

93

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019Key Audit Matter

How our Audit Addressed the Key Audit Matter

Equity accounting for Alumina Limited’s investment 
in AWAC (Refer to note 2)

 Alumina Limited’s equity accounted investment in  
AWAC is carried at $1.8 billion and its current year share 
of the net profit of AWAC accounted for using the equity 
accounting method is $232 million.

The equity accounting method requires consistent 
accounting standards to be applied by the investing 
company and its associates. Alcoa of Australia Limited 
(AWAC entity) already prepares financial information 
under Australian Accounting Standards (AAS), therefore 
no conversion is required. The financial information of 
AWAC entities other than Alcoa of Australia Limited is 
prepared under US Generally Accepted Accounting 
Principles (US GAAP), therefore adjustments are required 
to convert certain amounts to comply with AAS.

We determined equity accounting for Alumina Limited’s 
investment in AWAC to be a key audit matter because of 
the magnitude of the Investment in associates balance 
and the complexity and significance of, and judgment 
involved, in preparing 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 asset retirement 
obligation provisions, reversal of Brazil asset uplift and 
defined benefit superannuation plans. 

To assess the equity accounting for the Group’s 40% 
investment in AWAC, we performed the following procedures 
amongst others:
•   Considered the appropriateness of the equity  

accounting method.

•   Agreed the financial information of Alcoa of Australia 

Limited accounted for under AAS to the equity accounting 
schedule prepared by the Group.

•   Agreed the financial information of AWAC accounted for 

under US GAAP to the equity accounting schedule prepared 
by the Group.

•   Considered adjustments required to convert amounts 
accounted for under US GAAP to comply with AAS.  
To do this we:
•   Assessed the appropriateness of material US GAAP  

to AAS adjustments.

•   Tested material US GAAP to AAS adjustments by  

agreeing the adjustments to supporting schedules  
and documentation.

•   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 schedule prepared  
by management 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.

Impairment Indicator Assessment for Alumina  
Limited’s Equity Accounted Investment in AWAC  
(Refer to Note 2c)

To evaluate the Group’s impairment indicator assessment  
of the AWAC investment we performed the following 
procedures amongst others:

Alumina’s equity accounted investment in AWAC  
($1.8 billion) is the most material balance sheet item  
in the consolidated financial report.

•   Developed an understanding of the process by which the 
Group conducted the impairment indicator assessment.

•   Considered key assumptions including the Group’s long 

Under Australian Accounting Standards, Alumina Limited 
is required to perform an impairment assessment to 
determine whether there are indicators that the equity 
accounted investment in AWAC could be impaired.

term alumina price assumption by comparing it 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 

at 31 December 2019, noting that market capitalisation 
exceeded net assets by approximately $2.9 billion.

Evaluated the completeness of 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.

The Group’s impairment indicator assessment considers 
movements in the key assumptions which drive the 
valuation of the investment in AWAC, the Company’s 
market capitalisation compared to its net assets and 
analysts’ valuations. The key assumption which the 
valuation of AWAC is most sensitive to is the long term 
alumina price, other key inputs include energy prices 
and exchange rates.

Alumina’s conclusion was that there was no indicator  
for impairment for the year ended 31 December 2019.

We considered the impairment assessment a key audit 
matter because Alumina’s equity accounted investment 
in AWAC ($1.8 billion) is the most material balance sheet 
item in the consolidated financial report and significant 
judgement is required to estimate future alumina and 
aluminium prices, energy prices and exchange rates.

94

Other Information
The Directors are responsible for the other information. 
The other information comprises the information included 
in the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2019, 
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 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 on the other 
information that we obtained prior to the date of this 
auditor’s report, 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 auditor’s report.

Report on the Remuneration Report

Our opinion on the remuneration report
We have audited the remuneration report included in 
pages 38 to 60 of the Directors’ report for the year ended 
31 December 2019.

In our opinion, the remuneration report of Alumina 
Limited for the year ended 31 December 2019 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  24 March 2020

95

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019Details of Shareholdings and Shareholders  Listed Securities – 28 February 2020

Alumina Limited has 2,879,843,498 issued fully paid ordinary shares.

Range of Units as of 28/02/2020

Range

1–1,000

1,001–5,000

5,001–10,000

10,001–100,000

100,001 Over

Rounding 
Total

Total Holders

Units

% of Issued Capital

19,850

21,495

7,132

7,566

378

56,421

9,247,606

55,466,345

54,440,655

189,681,805

2,571,007,087

2,879,843,498

0.32

1.93

1.89

6.59

89.28

0.01 
100.00

Of these, 6,291 shareholders held less than a marketable parcel of $500 worth of shares (258) a total of 931,588 shares.  
In accordance with ASX Business Rules, the last sale price on the Company’s shares on the ASX on 28 February 2020  
was used to determine the number of shares in a marketable parcel.

Rank Name

Units

% Units

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUST)

J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA PTY 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

BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 

CITIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

AUSTRALIAN FOUNDATION INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED

ARGO INVESTMENTS LIMITED

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED  

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 

AUSTRALIAN FOUNDATION

BNP PARIBAS NOMS (NZ) LTD 

AUSTRALIAN UNITED INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED

MERRILL LYNCH (AUSTRALIA) NOMINEES PTY LIMITED

20

DJERRIWARRH INVESTMENTS LIMITED

841,475,730

504,753,111

257,380,038

219,617,657

154,114,590

139,600,461

81,009,703

76,145,410

59,282,343

44,251,844

39,799,208

12,745,000

12,429,285

8,635,155

7,996,870

6,413,142

5,824,145

5,500,000

3,804,087

3,060,000

29.22

17.53

8.94

7.63

5.35

4.85

2.81

2.64

2.06

1.54

1.38

0.44

0.43

0.30

0.28

0.22

0.20

0.19

0.13

0.11

Totals: Top 20 Holders of Ordinary Fully Paid Shares (Total) 

2,483,837,779

86.25

Each ordinary 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, 484,500 Alumina Limited fully paid ordinary shares were purchased on market by the 
Alumina Employee Share Plan at an average price of $2.5446.

Substantial Shareholding as at 28 February 2020 
CITIC Resources Australia Pty. Ltd. 
Lazard Asset Management Pacific Limited 
Allan Gray Australia Pty. Ltd. 
Schroder Investment Management Australia Limited 
Vanguard Group 

Shareholding 
547,459,208 
203,273,367 
200,149,083 
145,695,608 
144,023,118 

%
19.01
7.06
6.95
5.06
5.00

96

A LUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT  2019

97

Financial History

Alumina Limited and Controlled Entities as at 31 December

Revenue from continuing operations

Share of net profit/(loss) of associates 
accounted for using the equity method

Other income

General and administrative expenses

Change in fair value of derivatives/ 
foreign exchange losses

Finance costs

Income tax (expense)/benefit from 
continuing operations

Net profit/(loss) attributable to  
owners of Alumina Limited

Total assets

Total liabilities

Net assets

Shareholders’ funds

Dividends paid

Dividends received from AWAC

Statistics

2019

2.5

232.0

–

(12.1)

(1.0)

(7.3)

(0.1)

US$ millions

2017

0.6

360.4

–

(13.6)

0.7

(8.3)

–

2018

1.6

653.5

–

(11.6)

(1.4)

(6.7)

–

2016

0.6

18.1

–

(25.7)

(14.1)

(9.1)

–

214.0

635.4

339.8

(30.2)

1,853.8

71.7

1,782.1

1,782.1

532.82

381.7

2,245.1

109.3

2,135.8

2,135.8

515.5

657.2

2,342.9

109.9

2,234.0

2,234.0

210.2

278.1

2,117.8

110.9

2,006.9

2,006.9

135.3

150.2

2015

0.1

109.9

–

(11.9)

(3.2)

(6.6)

–

88.3

2,110.7

127.8

1,982.9

1,982.9

171.2

61.4

Dividends declared per ordinary share

US8.0c

US22.7c

US13.5c

US6.0c

US6.3c

Dividend payout ratio

Return on equity1

Gearing (net debt to equity)

Net tangible assets backing per share

Basic EPS (US cents)

End of year share price (AUD)

Franking of dividends

Total shareholder return

249%

11.0%

3.0%

$0.53

7.4

2.30

100%

15.5%

81%

30.3%

(4.3)%

$0.66

22.1

2.30

100%

7.7%

62%

15.8%

2.5%

$0.69

11.8

2.43

100%

41.8%

–

(1.5)%

4.0%

$0.61

(1.0)

1.83

100%

69.2%

202%

3.9%

4.8%

$0.60

3.1

1.16

100%

(30.2)%

1.  Based on net profit/(loss) attributable to owners of Alumina Limited.

2. 

 Final dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2018, declared and paid in 2019 and interim dividend for the year ended  
31 December 2019, declared and paid in 2019.

98

The Company’s strong balance sheet and joint 
venture distribution arrangements have been 
crucial in delivering another year of healthy 
dividends to shareholders.

99

ALUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2019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-us.computershare.com/investor 
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

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 2019. 
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.

Alumina Limited’s shares trade on the Australian Securities 
Exchange and also trades as American Depositary Receipts 
in the US on the OTCQX market.

Design ERD.COM.AU      Print BAMBRA PRESS

100

A LUMINA LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT  2019