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Alumina

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FY2020 Annual Report · Alumina
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Annual Report 2020

2 About Alumina Limited4 At a Glance5  AWAC – A Global Business6 Chairman and CEO Report12 Sustainability15 Directors’ Report 22  Operating and Financial Review 34  Alumina Limited Financial Review 41 Letter by Chair of Compensation Committee 44 Remuneration Report71  Financial Report105  Directors’ Declaration106  Independent Auditor’s Report113 Financial HistoryAbout 
Alumina Limited

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1

RESILIENT 
ROBUST  
RESPONSIBLE

Qualities that have evolved from decades of 
partnership, planning and perseverance – through 
the good times, and those as challenging as 2020.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020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.

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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.

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

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

Alumina Limited Annual Report 20204

AT A GLANCE

In 2020 Alumina Limited posted a profit after tax  
of $146.6 million compared to the net profit of  
$214.0 million in 2019. Excluding significant items of 
$(0.1) million (2019: $112.6 million), the net profit after  
tax would have been $146.5 million (2019: $327 million). 
Net distributions from AWAC totalled $182.7 million 
(2019: $420.9 million).

The Company declared a fully franked final dividend  
of 2.9 US cents per share, bringing the full year dividend 
to 5.7 US cents per share.

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 
2020 declined 20 per cent to $268 per tonne. In 2020, 
AWAC sold about 97 per cent of its smelter-grade 
alumina on an alumina index or spot pricing basis. 

Primary aluminium demand fell over the first half of  
2020 as a result of the pandemic but in the second half 
aluminium, and as a result alumina, demand recovered 
with the help of Government stimulus. Prices for both 
aluminium and alumina have recovered from COVID 
induced lows and have stabilised. We expect aluminium 
demand to increase during 2021. A narrowing rest of 
world alumina surplus in 2021 is expected to be  
exported to China to meet a deficit there.

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, pay dividends, 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.

Alumina Limited Results

$146.6m

2020 net profit after tax 
2019: $214.0 million

$182.7m

2020 net cash distributions 
2019: $420.9 million

5.7¢per share

2020 dividends 
2019: 8.0 cents per share

$49.6m

2020 net (cash)/debt 
2019: $54.8 million

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AWAC – A GLOBAL BUSINESS

In 2020, AWAC recorded a net profit after tax of  
$401.6 million compared to a net profit after tax of  
$565.1 million in 2019. The decline in profit was due 
to a softening market price for alumina. AWAC’s EBITDA  
for 2020 was $895.9 million (2019: $1,260.7 million)  
and excluding significant items would have been  
$895.2 million (2019: $1,586.0 million).

In 2020 AWAC’s average realised alumina price was  
$268 per tonne (2019: $336 per tonne).

AWAC benefited from record annual alumina production 
of 12.8 million tonnes (by the existing refinery portfolio) 
and a five per cent improvement in the average cost  
of production to $199 per tonne (2019: $210 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.

AWAC Results (USGAAP)

$401.6m

2020 AWAC net profit after tax 
2019: $565.1 million

$671.7m

2020 AWAC cash from operations 
2019: $906.3 million

$268 per tonne

2020 realised Alumina price 
2019: $336 per tonne

$895.2m

2020 AWAC EBITDA excl significant items 
2019: $1,586.0 million

Alumina Limited Annual Report 20206

CHAIRMAN AND 
CEO REPORT

The Company’s resilient 
financial performance for 
2020 reflected the quality 
of Alumina’s investment in 
AWAC, which has successfully 
managed through the shocks 
triggered by the COVID 
pandemic.

The Company reported a profit of $146.6 million and 
declared fully franked dividends to shareholders of  
US 5.7 cents.

The low cost, long-life quality of the bauxite mines and 
alumina refineries in Western Australia and Brazil were 
a key factor in the Company being able to perform well 
in 2020.

While world commodity markets and the alumina price 
experienced volatility and weakness, the Company was 
able to continue to deliver healthy dividends. Alumina 
prices declined by 18% over the year. However, Alumina 
Limited continued to receive net cash distributions from 
AWAC of $182.7 million in 2020. This enabled the 
Company to continue to deliver regular dividends.

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A year to test resilience

The low cost position of AWAC’s bauxite and alumina assets 
enabled it to generate solid profits and cash flows in the face 
of COVID challenges. AWAC maintained its low cost position 
during the year, with its cash cost of alumina production 
falling by 5%. This partly offset the lower alumina prices 
received by AWAC in 2020. Favourable exchange rates also 
contributed to lower conversion and bauxite costs and the 
key input cost of caustic was also lower.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 20208

The spot Alumina Price Index (API) for 2020 averaged  
$271 as alumina prices weakened (compared to an average 
price of $332 in 2019). This was largely due to the impacts 
of COVID in reducing aluminium demand and prices and 
the flow on effect into lower alumina prices.

AWAC’s assets operated safely and consistently despite 
the COVID disruptions. AWAC achieved records in both 
bauxite and alumina production for the year. AWAC’s alumina 
production of 12.8 million tonnes in 2020 represented an 
increase of 0.2 million tonnes compared to the previous year. 

AWAC delivered alumina margins of $69 per tonne, in  
a year of volatility and lower commodity prices. This was  
a decline from the margin of $126 per tonne in 2019 but  
was still a strong platform for AWAC to distribute dividends 
of $517 million to its joint venture shareholders. 

Some specific measures were taken to conserve cash 
in response to the pandemic. AWAC put on hold all 
growth capital expenditure for part of 2020, deferred 
non-critical sustaining capex and reduced working 
capital and overheads. 

The Company’s results and AWAC operating performance 
are discussed in more detail in the Operating and  
Financial Review.

Alumina market 

The Company operates in a commodity market where 
change, reflected in fluctuations in market conditions, is 
constant. Between 2017 and 2019, factors that affected our 
commodity markets were generally favourable. Alumina 
prices and operating margins were strong in those years.

In 2020, COVID came as an exogenous shock to the 
alumina market, causing substantial declines in alumina 
prices in the second and third quarters. 

The global health responses to COVID-19 caused a rapid 
and substantial decline in global economic activity. This 
produced a decline in aluminium consumption and falls  
in aluminium and alumina prices. Global primary metal 
consumption fell by 5% in 2020. The decline in global 

metal consumption was largely due to a decline in western 
world consumption. The alumina market operates relatively 
efficiently and increased alumina production costs later in 
2020 were reflected in higher prices. 

However, aluminium smelter production did not contract 
in line with the fall in consumption. This softened the 
negative effect on demand for alumina and alumina prices 
because the aluminium surplus over consumption was 
able to be warehoused and also exported to China.

China’s economy rebounded rapidly later in 2020 and 
drove demand for alumina and aluminium. Increasing 
aluminium prices at this time also resulted in greater 
aluminium production. These are positive developments 
for the alumina market for the beginning of 2021. Whilst 
we are prepared if the market conditions of 2020 are 
repeated, there are some reasons for optimism on the 
alumina market outlook for 2021, compared to 2020. 

Portland smelter

The energy supply arrangements for the Portland 
aluminium smelter expire in mid-2021. The future of 
the smelter has been dependent upon identifying a  
lower cost and reliable power solution.

In March 2021, Alcoa of Australia Limited and Eastern 
Aluminium (Portland) Pty Limited through their ownership 
of Portland Aluminium signed electricity supply agreements 
for a five-year period effective from 1 August 2021 ending 
30 June 2026. Additionally, the Commonwealth and 
Victorian State Governments are expected to provide 
financial assistance to support the ongoing operations  
of the Portland Smelter. 

The AWAC Portland smelter has been working to reduce 
its carbon dioxide emissions – on an intensity basis they 
have decreased by approximately 18 percent since 2015. 
This has been the result of an increase in the proportion  
of renewable energy that is supplied to the smelter and 
improved energy efficiency. Renewable energy generated 
by wind and solar now represents approximately 33 percent 
of electricity supplied to the smelter from the grid.

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Alumina’s strategy 

Alumina is the co-owner of AWAC, a best in class,  
global resource business. AWAC’s long-life, low cost  
resource assets in West Australia are exceedingly rare. 

AWAC is a long-term business. Its West Australian bauxite 
and alumina assets were developed 60 years ago and 
continue to have a long life ahead of them. Similarly the 
bauxite assets in Brazil have decades of production life. 
Alumina’s strategy is to:

• 

• 

 Maintain AWAC’s low position on the bauxite and 
alumina cost curves. This is the key to weathering severe 
market shocks such as the impact of COVID, and low 
points in the cycle. AWAC’s enviable cost competitiveness 
also enables it to take advantage of positive market 
developments as they arise, such as the sudden global 
supply shock caused by the suspension of production by 
a major competitor, which occurred in 2018 and 2019. 

 Remain a focused bauxite and alumina investor. 
Alumina Limited participates predominantly in the bauxite 
and alumina parts of the aluminium industry chain, 
because we believe they demonstrate attractive market 
fundamentals. We aim to provide an uncompromised 
investment choice, through that focus and by AWAC 
selling at alumina market index prices that directly reflect 
the specifics of the particular markets we supply.

• 

• 

 Maintain low financial leverage. A strong, clean balance 
sheet enables Alumina to weather challenging industry 
conditions and cycles and also provides investors with 
undiluted exposure to AWAC’s reliable and strong cash 
flows. The Company seeks to pay out to shareholders 
dividends that it receives from AWAC, after corporate 
costs and net of any contributions back into the  
joint venture. 

 Contribute as an active, informed and engaged joint 
venture partner in the AWAC joint venture. This involves 
undertaking independent research and analysis to have  
a different and informed perspective on the bauxite, 
alumina and aluminium markets. It also encourages an 
informed discussion within the joint venture on matters 
such as portfolio management, investment opportunities 
and disruptive threats. 

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202010

Sustainability

The Company in 2020 continued its focus on climate 
change analysis and improving our sustainability reporting. 

• 

 During 2020 AWAC established separate new carbon 
reduction targets for its operations. AWAC is targeting 
to reduce emissions from its refineries from current 
levels by approximately 12 per cent by 2030. 

•  We continue to work with AWAC on:

• 

 its implementation of strategies for responding to 
climate change, identifying and assessing climate 
change risks and opportunities; and

• 

 evaluating technological and carbon 
abatement measures 

• 

 AWAC has introduced low carbon alumina as a  
separate product that is available to its customers.  
This development is leading the industry. AWAC is 
currently one of the lowest carbon emitters in the 
alumina industry. 

There continues to be substantial activity by the bauxite 
and alumina industry and AWAC on residue storage 
management. Alcoa is a member of the International 
Council of Metals and Mining and this involves AWAC 
committing to implement the new Global Industry 
Standard on Tailings Management across its operations.

AWAC has set a number of sustainability objectives and 
projects for 2021 and beyond, including the ratio of land 
disturbance to rehabilitation and the reuse of bauxite 
residue, as well as water consumption in areas of water 
scarcity and biodiversity. 

All of these sustainability activities support AWAC’s licence 
to operate in the future. Alumina Limited’s and AWAC’s 
sustainability targets and outcomes are discussed in 
greater detail in the Sustainability Report and Update  
on the Company’s website.

Capital management /  
shareholder returns

Alumina Limited received $182.7 million in net cash 
distributions from AWAC in 2020 (2019: $420.9 million). 
Your Company has been able to pay most of its free  
cash flow to shareholders by way of dividends. The total 
declared dividends for the year were US5.7 cents per 
share. This represents a yield of 5% to shareholders  
for 2020, based on the average share price for the year. 
Average dividends since 2016 over the last five years  
have been 11.2 cents per share which has delivered  
an average yield for shareholders of 7.5%.

The Company’s net debt at 31 December 2020 was only 
$49.6 million which is a gearing of less than 2.8%. The 
Company’s low debt level enables cash received from 
AWAC to be readily distributed to shareholders. The 
Company has debt facilities of $350 million with  
maturities ranging from 2022 to 2024.

Board and management

Ms In’t Veld joined as an independent Non-Executive 
Director on 3 August 2020. A former Chief Executive  
Officer of Verve Energy and senior executive in the 
resources industry (including with Alcoa), Ms In’t Veld  
brings to the Board extensive experience in the  
aluminium industry, energy and financial markets and  
in the management of long-life assets. As part of normal 
director succession planning, Ms Stein has indicated she 
will retire from the Board as a Non-Executive Director after 
the 2021 Annual General Meeting. Ms Stein has been an 
independent Non-Executive Director of the Company 
since 2011 and has provided significant and valuable 
counsel to the Board and management. We welcome  
Ms In’t Veld and thank Ms Stein.

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Conclusion

The Company demonstrated impressive resilience 
through this most recent COVID period, with markets 
characterised by significant uncertainty and volatility.  
Our investment in AWAC’s portfolio of low cost, long-life 
assets, together with a strong balance sheet, underpinned 
the Company’s capacity to deliver strong returns to 
shareholders throughout the cycle. The impact of 
COVID-19 did affect the financial result for the year,  
but Alumina’s business model has to-date successfully 
met the challenges of the pandemic.

The dividends paid in 2020 confirmed a consistent record 
of returns to shareholders. The recent improvement in the 
outlook for the alumina market provides some cause for 
optimism that this can continue in 2021.

The Board thanks the employees of Alumina Limited  
and AWAC for their work in 2020.

W Peter Day • Chairman

Mike Ferraro • Chief Executive Officer

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202012

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability governance – first and foremost

Effective governance is a key part of continued success 
in any field of business, to drive improvement and ensure 
that company goals are achieved in an ethical and 
sustainable manner.

included an update on climate science, the implications  
of national and international policy developments, carbon 
pricing, Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure 
(TCFD) and energy and emissions issues and opportunities.

In 2020 Alumina Limited’s sustainability governance and 
strategy was strengthened by the formation of a Sustainability 
Committee of the Board. The committee consists of all of 
Alumina Limited’s Non-Executive Directors and is chaired 
by Mr Day. The Committee meets on a quarterly basis  
and operates under a Charter that specifies its role and 
responsibilities. A copy of the Committee Charter is available 
in the Governance section on the Company website.

The Committee members and the senior management 
received targeted climate change and ESG training from 
independent third-party specialists. In 2020, the training 

The Committee established goals for 2020 and beyond 
which include improving the transparency, structure, 
content and quality of disclosure in the Company’s 
sustainability reporting. ESG specialists were engaged to 
review and benchmark existing reports and also conduct  
a gap analysis to peer reporting and relevant reporting 
standards. As a result, the 2019 Sustainability Report 
(covering the year ended 31 December) was updated  
and restructured to provide a clearer and more informed 
report which has led to improved ranking by analysts 
commending the Company’s sustainability efforts.

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Sustainability action in 2020

Effective sustainability governance and strategy requires 
an understanding of the most important environmental, 
social and governance risks and opportunities facing the 
Company and the business. For that purpose, in 2020, 
senior management conducted a “materiality assessment” 
of Alumina Limited and AWAC’s business, with the findings 
presented to the Sustainability Committee. Material topics 
were categorised under four themes of: governance, 
community, environment and people. A fuller description 
of the material topics and how they map to the UN 
Sustainable Development Goals can be found in the  
2019 Sustainability Report available on the  
Company website.

A gap analysis between Alumina Limited reporting 
practices and the TCFD was also completed in 2020. The 
analysis identified some disclosure gaps and will assist in 
the development of a TCFD/business resilience roadmap 
in 2021. Also, ESG matters will be further imbedded in the 
Company’s Risk Management profile.

Other environmental sustainability 
actions undertaken in 2020

Sustainability efforts must continue to be more aligned 
to future performance planning, notwithstanding what 
has been achieved in the past, by the creation of new and 
challenging targets and continuing to build pathways to 
reducing environmental and social impacts. 

New targets and standards for AWAC operations were rolled 
out in 2020. New biodiversity standards were developed 
and biodiversity action plans implemented at AWAC sites 
to govern and direct biodiversity actions in operations.

An increased focus on water stewardship at water scarce 
areas such as AWAC’s Western Australian operations has 
been introduced with new water targets to reduce water 
intensity by 5% by 2025 and 10% by 2030 using a base 
year of 2015.

Refining bauxite ore into alumina generates substantial 
amounts of bauxite residue. The target is to reduce bauxite 
residue storage land requirements per tonne of alumina 
produced by 15% by 2030 using a base year of 2015  
to be achieved, in part, by using filtration technology  
to create a dry cake rather than a greater volume of wet 
slurry. Studies are also advanced on extracting red sands 
from the residue for potential use in other industries  
such as concrete production.

The goal of bauxite mining is to achieve a running five-year 
average ratio of 1:1 or better of active mining disturbance 
(excluding long-term infrastructure) to mine rehabilitation. 
This means at a minimum, the goal for each unit of land 
disturbed, a unit or more, will be rehabilitated 
contemporaneously. 

In relation to GHG emissions, an intensity (tonnes of  
GHG per tonne of production) reduction target has been 
set for AWAC’s refining operations of 4% by 2025 and  
12% by 2030 using a base year of 2015. AWAC’s refining 
portfolio is the lowest CO2e emitter amongst major 
producers and positioned AWAC to launch the world’s first 
low-carbon alumina brand, EcoSource. EcoSource alumina 
is a smelter-grade alumina with carbon emissions that are 
better than the vast majority of the industry and has no 
more than 0.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents 
per tonne of alumina produced (global industry average 
1.2t/tonne of alumina).

Progress against these targets is disclosed in the 2019 
Sustainability Report on the Company website.

To further underscore the governance strength underpinning 
the business, all of AWAC directly owned and operated 
facilities have been certified by the Aluminium Stewardship 
Initiative (ASI). ASI certification means that AWAC sites 
have been assessed and proven to operate in accordance 
with performance standards for a set level of human rights, 
ethics, compliance, environmental and biodiversity 
indicators. AWAC facilities are committed to meet the 
International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) 
operating mining principles defining good practice 
environmental, social and governance requirements.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202014

Social and community

Human Rights and the protection and advancement of 
indigenous people’s rights are an important part of the 
Company ethos and AWAC’s ethical and operational 
position. From 2019, Human Rights due diligence 
assessments using external experts have been conducted 
at AWAC’s West Australian and Brazilian operations that 
pleasingly did not identify any major gaps. The due 
diligence process involved comparison to international 
standards set by the International Labor Organisation 
and UN conventions. The work also included examination 
of local treaties, sectorial agreements, national and state 
agreements and legislation. A separate Human Rights 
risk due diligence exercise will be undertaken and 
completed in 2022.

In regard to engagement with indigenous peoples, 
Alcoa, as manager/operator of AWAC, issued an 
Indigenous Peoples Statement regarding respect for 
the diversity, cultures, customs and values of indigenous 
peoples. Following the completion of the Indigenous 
Peoples Statement, Alcoa have undertaken to develop 
a formal engagement approach aligned with the ICMM 
Position Statement on Indigenous Peoples and Mining. 
This program will underpin a framework for engaging 
with Indigenous Peoples with respect to new operations 
or major capital projects that are located on or near 
lands traditionally owned by or under customary use 
of Indigenous Peoples and which are likely to impact 
them. Also, in 2020, Alcoa of Australia (an AWAC asset) 
progressed the first stage of its Reconciliation Action 
Plan, a guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 
engagement and reconciliation.

2020 was a significant year from a 
sustainability perspective however, Alumina 
Limited and AWAC are focussed on continuing 
to improve sustainability performance. 

Projects

Decarbonisation strategies are being examined by AWAC 
including assessing the viability of introducing mechanical 
vapour recompression technology in the alumina refinery 
system in the longer-term. This technology has the potential 
to reduce consumption of steam obtained from heating 
water in a boiler, improve thermal performance and reduce 
fossil fuel usage and hence CO2 emissions. The vapour 
recompression system would utilise renewable solar 
energy to power the mechanical vapour recompression. 
This technology could reduce 70% of CO2e (10 million 
CO2e per annum) and reduce water use by approximately 
25 GL per annum.

2020 was a significant year from a sustainability perspective 
however, Alumina Limited and AWAC are focussed on 
continuing to improve sustainability performance.  
Additional information on 2020 sustainability efforts  
and outcomes will be available with the publication  
of the 2020 Sustainability Report in the second half  
of the 2021 calendar year.

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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 2020 (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, S E In’t Veld (appointed 
3 August 2020), M P Ferraro (Managing Director and  
Chief Executive Officer).

Board of Directors

The Company’s Directors in office as at 31 December 2020 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 and Risk Management Committees and Chair of the 
Sustainability Committee. 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.

Mr W Peter Day
LLB (HONS), MBA, FCA, FCPA, FAICD

INDEPENDENT  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ms Emma R Stein
BSC (PHYSICS) HONS, MBA, FAICD,  
HON FELLOW WSU

INDEPENDENT  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr Chen Zeng
MIF

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ms Deborah O’Toole
LLB, MAICD

INDEPENDENT  
NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr John A Bevan 
BCom

INDEPENDENT 
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ms Shirley E In’t Veld
BCom LLB (HONS)

INDEPENDENT  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr Mike P Ferraro
LLB (HONS) 

MANAGING DIRECTOR AND  
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202016

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 Adbri Limited (formally known as Adelaide 
Brighton Ltd) (appointed October 2019) and Worley Ltd. 
She is a former Non-Executive Director of Cleanaway 
Waste Management Limited (formerly known as Transpacific 
Industries Group Ltd) (appointed August 2011 and resigned 
December 2020), 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). Ms Stein also 
remains a Non-Executive Director (appointed September 
2017) of Infigen Energy which has been acquired by the 
Iberdrola Group. Formerly the UK Managing Director for 
French utility Gaz de France’s energy retailing operations,  
Ms Stein moved to Australia in 2003. Before joining Gaz  
de France, she was UK Divisional Managing Director for  
British Fuels. 

Ms Stein is Chair of the Compensation Committee (since 
1 January 2014), current member and former Chair of 
the Audit and Risk Management Committee (Chair from 
28 November 2013 to 31 December 2013), current 
member and former Chair of the Nomination Committee 
(from 22 June 2017 to 31 March 2018) and member of the 
Sustainability Committee. As a senior executive, she gained 
considerable international experience in management and 
leadership, strategy development and implementation in 
global industrial, energy and utilities markets. She has 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, Sustainability and Audit and Risk Management 
Committees (appointed 7 August 2014). Mr Zeng is also 
currently the Chairman and President of CITIC Pacific Limited, 
the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CITIC Pacific 

Mining Management Pty Ltd (“CITIC Pacific Mining”)  
and CITIC Mining International Ltd, the holding company  
of CITIC Pacific Mining. He is also the Chairman of Dah 
Chong Hong Holdings Limited (focused on distribution  
of automobile, healthcare and consumer goods). He is a 
former Executive Director of CITIC Limited (listed on the 
Hong Kong Exchange) and Non-Executive Director of 
CITIC Dameng Holdings Limited (listed on the Hong Kong 
Exchange), Macarthur Coal Limited (July 2007–October 
2011) and Marathon Resources Limited (resigned in 
January 2014). Mr Zeng also served as a Director on  
the Board of CITIC Group between January 2010  
and December 2011.

Before joining CITIC Pacific Mining, Mr Zeng was an 
Executive Director, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer (CEO) of CITIC Resources Holdings Limited (“CITIC 
Resources”), a CITIC Group controlled Hong Kong listed 
company focused on crude oil production, metal mining 
and refining, and commodity trading. Mr Zeng was 
redesignated as Non-Executive Director of CITIC Resources 
in March 2014. Mr Zeng is also the Chairman of CITIC 
Australia. Mr Zeng has over 30 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, 
Sustainability Committee, the Compensation Committee 
and Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee 
(from 1 April 2018). Ms O’Toole is a Non-Executive Director 
of Boral Limited (appointed September 2020), Sims 
Limited (appointed November 2014), Pacific National Rail 
(appointed October 2016) and Credit Union Australia Ltd 
(appointed March 2014). She is a former Non-Executive 
Director of Boart Longyear Limited (appointed 1 October 
2014 and resigned September 2017), Wesley Research 
Institute (appointed March 2013 and resigned 

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6 November 2019), 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, the Sustainability Committee and the Nomination 
Committee and Chair of the Nomination Committee from 
1 April 2018. Mr Bevan is currently a Non-Executive Director 
and Chairman of BlueScope Steel Limited (appointed 
March 2014), a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of 
Ansell (appointed August 2012), Non-Executive Director  
of Humpty Dumpty Foundation (since 2017) 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.

Ms Shirley E In’t Veld

Ms In’t Veld was elected as an independent Non-Executive 
Director of the Company on 3 August 2020. 

She is currently a Non-Executive Director with APA Group 
Limited (appointed 19 March 2018), Northern Star Resources 
Limited (appointed 2016) and NBN Co Limited (appointed 
2 December 2015). She is formerly Deputy Chair of CSIRO 
(term ceased 30 June 2020), a Non-Executive Director  
of Perth Airport, DUET Group, Asciano Limited, Alcoa of 
Australia Limited and a Council Member of the Chamber  
of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. 

Ms In’t Veld was also the Managing Director of Verve 
Energy (2007–2012) and, before that, she worked for  
10 years in senior roles at Alcoa of Australia, WMC 
Resources Ltd, Bond Corporation and BankWest.

In 2014, she was Chairman of the Queensland Government 
Expert Electricity Panel and a member of the Renewable 
Energy Target Review Panel for the Department of Prime 
Minister and Cabinet. Ms In’t Veld’s experience with the 
Renewable Energy Target Panel and CSIRO will also bring 
to Alumina expertise in renewables, research and innovation.

Ms In’t Veld is a member of the Compensation Committee, 
Audit and Risk Management Committee, Nomination 
Committee and Sustainability Committee.

As a former Chief Executive Officer of Verve Energy and 
senior executive in the resources industry, Ms In’t Veld will 
bring to the Board extensive experience in the aluminium 
industry, energy markets and management of long-life assets.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202018

Mr Mike P Ferraro

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

Between 2008 and 2010 Mr Ferraro was Chief Legal 
Counsel at BHP Billiton Ltd. Mr Ferraro has considerable 
experience in the resources sector and has over 30 years 
of experience in joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, 
fund raising and regulatory issues across a wide range  
of sectors and countries. He also has considerable 
experience in the commercial and financing aspects  
of large transactions gained from a number of years  
in investment banking as a corporate adviser.

Company Secretary

Company Sectretary 
Mr Stephen Foster
BCOM LLB (HONS) GDIPAPPFIN (SEC INST)  
GRADDIP CSP, ACIS

GENERAL COUNSEL/COMPANY SECRETARY

• 

 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 64 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 64 of  
this report.

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: 

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.

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Alumina Limited Directors’ attendance at meetings January to December 2020

Board 
meeting

Board 
Committee 
meetings

Audit and Risk 
Committee 
meetings

Compensation 
Committee 
meetings

Nominations 
Committee 
meetings

Sustainability 
Committee 
meetings

Directors

Eligible  
to attend

Attended

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

S In't Veld2

13

13

13

13

13

13

6

12

12

13

13

13

13

5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

8

8

8

7

8

8

3

3

3

3

2

3

8

8

8

8

8

8

4

4

4

4

4

4

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

8

8

4

8

8

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

8

8

2

8

8

2

4

4

2

4

4

2

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

capacity as CEO.

2.   Ms In’t Veld was appointed a Non-Executive Director of the Company on 3 August 2020 and was only eligible to attend meetings subsequent  

to her appointment.

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 6b of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements found on page 89.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020 
20

Principal activities

Environmental regulation

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 2020 financial year 
attributable to members of the Company was $146.6 million 
profit (2019: $214.0 million profit). Excluding significant 
items, there would have been a net profit after tax of 
$146.5 million (2019: $326.6 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 22 to 40 of this report. 

Matters subsequent to the end of the  
financial year

Other than as reported in Note 15 of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements (refer to page 100), 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 2020.

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 22 and 40 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 2020. 

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 Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (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 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.

Auditor

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

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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 99.

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 99. 

Corporate Governance Statement

The Company has, for the 2020 reporting year, elected to 
disclose the Corporate Governance Statement only on the 
Company’s website. The Corporate Governance Statement 
can be found at aluminalimited.com/about-governance.

Auditor’s independence declaration

As lead auditor for the audit of Alumina Limited 
for the year ended 31 December 2020, 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, 23 March 2021

PricewaterhouseCoopers
ABN 52 780 433 757
2 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006  
GPO Box 1331 Melbourne VIC 3001

T: 613 8603 1000  F: 613 8603 1999  www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under  
Professional Standards Legislation

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202022

OPERATING AND 
FINANCIAL REVIEW

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 

22
25
28
32
34
37

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 and 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).

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.

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 totaling, 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.

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Atlantic

3.1m  tonnes 
alumina production

4.5m  bdt 
3rd party bauxite 
shipments

Global

12.8m  tonnes 
alumina production1

6.5m  bdt 
3rd party bauxite 
shipments

San Ciprian

Al Ba’itha

Ras Al-Khair

CBG

Juruti

MRN

Alumar

Western Australia

Kwinana

Huntly

Pinjarra

Willowdale

Wagerup

Pacific

9.7m  tonnes 
alumina production

2.0m  bdt 
3rd party bauxite 
shipments

Portland

AWAC operated

Non-AWAC operated

Bauxite mine

Smelter

Refinery

Location

Bauxite mine

Refinery

1. Excludes alumina production from the Ras Al-Khair refinery

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202024

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.

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.

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. and Alcoa 
World Alumina LLC (AWA LLC). In addition to the Strategic 
Council meetings, Alumina Limited’s Management and 
Board visit and review AWAC’s operations, 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.

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

Alumina Limited is primarily focused on investing in 
long-life, low-cost bauxite and alumina assets. Alumina 
Limited does this currently through the AWAC joint venture 
with its partner, Alcoa. Alumina Limited and Alcoa are 
different companies with different shareholders, different 
governance requirements and different objectives. 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.

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2.  Principal risks

Fluctuations in exchange rates

The risk management processes are summarised in the 
Corporate Governance Statement located on the Company 
website at aluminalimited.com/about-governance/. 

Alumina Limited’s Risk Management Framework  
provides for the production of a Risk Profile, 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 probability and 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.

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.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202026

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. 

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, 
and having low cost refineries. Additionally, remaining at 
the low end of the alumina greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
curve in the longer-term may make AWAC attractive to 
customers seeking relatively lower GHG alumina. 

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, 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,

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• 

• 

• 

• 

 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.

Technology risk exposure is the risk of substituting existing 
products and services with lower-emissions options. If AWAC 
is unable to remain low on the alumina GHG emissions 
curve, there is a risk that customers may choose alternate 
suppliers. Alternatively demand, and consequently the 
price of alumina may decrease. 

Market Risk exposure measures the changes in revenue 
mix and sources as a result of climate risk. AWAC’s 
customers may be exposed to industries that may be 
impacted by carbon prices. 

Additional information in respect of climate change risks, 
can be located in Alumina Limited 2019 Sustainability report, 
and Alumina Limited’s Climate Change Position Statement. 
These documents can be found at aluminalimited.com/
sustainability/.

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;

 loss of technological advantage and accuracy, operations 
on site or proprietary data due to organised espionage 
or breach of IT systems through cyber attacks.

 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.

 As AWAC has a global presence and its locations,  
staff, markets, logistics and supply chains, may be 
impacted by a public health crisis such as the COVID-19 
pandemic. This may result in decreased production, 
decreased demand for alumina and consequently cash 
flow and liquidity, the financial position of customers, 
and failure to meet health and safety obligations, which 
all may have a negative financial impact on AWAC. To 
combat the increased uncertainty, AWAC introduced 
cash conservations initiatives, and heightened the focus 
on health and safety of its workforce. Whilst AWAC has 
not experienced any significant interruption to operations, 
COVID-19 continues to be monitored closely.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202028

3.  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 enables AWAC to generate strong returns 
throughout the commodity cycle. Having long-life bauxite 
mines located in a close proximity to most AWAC refineries 
is a key competitive advantage in terms of driving a low 
position on the cost curve.

AWAC operates in locations throughout the world that 
have experienced significant health, economic, and 
logistical impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
AWAC acted early to focus on the health and safety of 
its workforce, and to bolster the stability of operations. 

AWAC also undertook a number of prudent cash 
preservation actions to combat uncertainty of COVID-19  
and its impact on commodity prices. These actions included 
reviewing non-critical maintenance activities, deferring 
certain sustaining and growth capital expenditure projects, 
and actively reducing operational costs. 

Bauxite mining

AWAC operated mines

Production (million bone dry tonnes (“BDT”))

Cash cost ($/BDT of bauxite produced)

Non-AWAC operated mines

AWAC equity share of production1 (million BDT)

Third party sales

Shipments to third parties (million BDT)

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

In 1H 2020, COVID-19 reduced demand for aluminium 
products resulting in higher aluminium warehouse stocks, 
which further exacerbated an already surplus market.

After a small rebound in the alumina price at the start  
of 2020, it began to decline, reaching a low point of  
$225 per tonne in April.

During 2H 2020, aluminium prices rose and consumer 
confidence started to return with the alumina price 
gradually recovering to over $300 by the end of the year. 

Despite COVID challenges, AWAC’s refineries performed 
strongly, achieving an annual production record of 12.8 
million tonnes for the current portfolio of assets. Increased 
production helped drive lower cash costs, which partially 
offset the impact of the decline in the average realised 
alumina price. 

AWAC’s cash conservation initiatives, stable production, 
focus on health and safety, and its low position on the cost 
curve promoted a strong operational performance in 
2020. AWAC continues to be able to return cash to its joint 
venture partners, despite COVID and lower alumina prices. 

31 Dec 2020

31 Dec 2019

Change

Change (%)

41.0

9.6 

4.7

6.5

240.8

40.7

10.2

4.1

6.2

0.3 

(0.6)

0.6 

0.3 

274.7

(33.9)

0.7

(5.9)

14.6

4.8

(12.3)

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 $43.6 million for 2020 (2019: $79.1 million).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AWAC operated mines 

AWAC operated mines increased production by 0.7% 
driven by increased demand from AWAC owned refineries 
to achieve an annual production record for the current 
portfolio of assets. 

Cash cost per BDT of bauxite produced^

$10.2 

Bauxite production: change by mine (million BDT)

40.7 

0.1

0.2

41.0

($0.1)

($0.1)

$9.6

($0.4)

2019

Labor

Fuel

Services &
maintenance

Other#

2020

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

2019

Huntly & Willowdale

Juruti

2020

Non-AWAC operated mines 

Production at Willowdale increased to meet demand  
from the Wagerup refinery to achieve a facility production 
record. Huntly’s production decreased slightly as a result of 
conveyor belt maintenance. Juruti’s production increased 
in order to meet greater production from Alumar and 
third-party demand. 

In Western Australia, relocation of the Willowdale crusher 
to a new mining area has begun. 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 and approximately $85 million 
was spent during 2020. Planning for a new plateau in Juruti 
is being undertaken which involved sustaining capital 
expenditure of approximately $2 million during 2020. 

AWAC’s cash cost per BDT of bauxite produced decreased 
by 5.9% to $9.6 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.

AWAC’s equity share of production at MRN and  
CBG increased by 0.6 million BDT (14.6%) in 2020. 

CBG’s production increased by 17% to 3.6 million BDT,  
as the benefits from an expansion project are realised.  
The expansion has added an additional 1.1 million BDT 
to AWAC’s share of production.

MRN’s production was relatively stable, resulting in 
AWAC’s equity share of production of 1.1 million BDT.

AWAC’s equity accounted share of profit after tax from 
CBG and MRN was $23.0 million (2019: $18.2 million).

Third party bauxite sales

AWAC’s shipments to third party customers increased by 
4.8% to 6.5 million BDT with an increase in shipments from 
Huntly, CBG and MRN, partially offset by a decline in 
shipments from Juruti.

Third party revenue decreased by 12.3% due to lower 
average realised bauxite price and a decrease in freight 
revenue, offset by an increase in third party shipments.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202030

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.

AWAC operated refineries 

Production from AWAC operated refineries was 12.8 million 
tonnes, an annual record for the current portfolio of assets, 
emphasising that COVID-19 did not materially impact 
operating performance. Wagerup, Pinjarra and Sao Luis 
achieved annual production records. Kwinana’s production 
improved throughout the year, finishing with both a record 
month and quarter. San Ciprian refinery production was 
negatively impacted by the industrial action at the  
San Ciprian smelter in the last quarter. 

The first half of 2020 was characterised by a drop in alumina 
prices due to lower aluminium demand as a result of 
COVID-19, increasing aluminium inventories and additional 
alumina supply following the restart of Alunorte and the 
ramp up of Al Taweelah. However, the second half of 2020 
saw alumina prices trending upwards due to a return of 
consumer confidence and rising aluminium prices.

31 Dec 2020

31 Dec 2019

Change

Change (%)

13.2 

12.8

268 

199 

69 

97

270

12.9

12.6

336

210

126

94

0.3 

0.2 

(68)

(11)

(57)

3

344

(74)

1.810

0.454

1.839

(0.029)

0.462

(0.008)

2.3

1.6

(20.2)

(5.2)

(45.2)

3.2

(21.5)

(1.6)

(1.7)

Alumina production: change by refinery (kt)

68 

178 

12,823 

(43) 

12,620 

2019

Pinjarra
Wagerup
Kwinana

Alumar

San
Ciprian

2020

 
 
 
 
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Approximately 97% of AWAC’s alumina shipments were 
priced on a spot or index basis. AWAC’s average realised 
price of $268 per tonne, down $68 per tonne compared to 
the previous corresponding period, reflected the average 
index alumina price decline of 21.5% to $270 per tonne

The average cash cost per tonne of alumina declined by 
approximately 5% to $199 per tonne. Improved production, 
reduced energy usage and the strength of the US dollar 
had a favourable effect on the cash cost of production. 
Caustic and oil prices were also favourable, offset by the 
increase in gas prices due to the commencement of new 
gas supply contracts at the WA refineries. 

Cash cost per tonne of alumina produced^

$2

$210

($6)

($2)

$199

($5)

2019

Energy

Caustic

Bauxite

Conversion*

2020

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

Ma’aden Joint Venture

The Ma’aden refinery production decreased by 1.6% in 2020 to 1.81 million tonnes of alumina (AWAC’s share was  
0.454 million tonnes), operating at 101% of nameplate capacity. 

The equity accounted loss relating to the Ma’aden joint venture for AWAC was $22.6 million during 2020 
(2019: $6.4 million equity profit). The decline was predominantly driven by lower realised alumina prices.

Portland 

AWAC’s 55% equity share

Production (thousand tonnes)

EBITDA ($ million)

31 Dec 2020

31 Dec 2019

Change

Change (%)

160 

3.7 

161 

(20.0)

(1) 

23.7 

(0.6)

(118.5)

Portland’s aluminium production decreased by 0.6% compared to 2019. 

The improvement in earnings was primarily as a result of a lower cash cost of production due to lower alumina prices and 
a slight increase in the government facility forgiveness. This was partially offset by a decline in metal prices. LME 15 day 
lag decreased by 5.7% from $1,799/t in 2019 to $1,696/t in 2020. 

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202032

4. AWAC financial review

The decline in AWAC’s 2020 net profit was largely as a result of lower realised alumina prices partially offset by 
improvements in the cash cost of production and lower charges for significant items.

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

Year ended 31 Dec 2020

Year ended 31 Dec 2019

Net profit after tax

Add back: Income tax charge

Add back: Depreciation and amortisation

Add back: Net interest expense/(income)

EBITDA

Add back: Significant items (pre-tax)

EBITDA excluding significant items

401.6

205.6

288.4

0.3

895.9

(0.7)

895.2

565.1

394.8

306.0

(5.2)

1,260.7

325.3

1,586.0

AWAC’s net profit included the following significant items:

Significant items (US GAAP)

US$ million

Year ended 31 Dec 2020

Year ended 31 Dec 2019

Suralco restructuring related charges1

Point Comfort restructuring related charges1

New operating model restructuring charges

Other2

Total significant items (pre-tax)

Total significant items (after-tax)

(9.9)

(11.3)

–

21.9

0.7

(5.2)

(12.6)

(289.0)

(17.1)

(6.6)

(325.3)

(315.2)

1.  Including holding costs.
2.   Other significant items include net charges related to Portland government facility forgiveness, restructuring, severance and other payments, and in 

2019 Afobaka hydroelectricity dam accelerated depreciation.

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AWAC balance sheet (US GAAP)

US$ million

31 Dec 2020

31 Dec 2019

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Inventories

Deferred income taxes

Property, plant and equipment

Other assets

Total assets

Borrowings and capital lease obligations

Accounts payable

Taxes payable and deferred

Assets retirement obligations

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity

440.2

307.0

567.1

190.3

3,151.7

1,753.4

6,409.7

78.5

590.0

174.7

500.2

951.9

2,295.3

4,114.4

418.7

272.8

518.8

225.6

3,138.0

1,789.5

6,363.4

78.7

548.1

226.3

453.3

781.9

2,088.3

4,275.1

The increase in the value of assets and liabilities includes 
the effect of the stronger Australian dollar offset by a weaker 
Brazilian Real against the US dollar as at 31 December 2020.

The increase in property, plant and equipment was as a 
result favourable exchange rate, offset by depreciation  
and amortisation.

The reduction in taxes is mainly attributable to a decrease 
in the taxable income, particularly for Australian operations.

A slight decrease in other assets comprise of changes in 
the fair value of derivative assets offset by a recognition  
of a non current asset reflecting the AoA cash payment of 
A$107 million in relation to the ATO transfer pricing matter 
(50% of the assessed primary income tax amount).

Other liabilities increased mainly due to a recognition  
of a non-current liability of approximately A$219 million 
representing a tax deduction available to AoA in 2020  
with respect to the interest assessment in the ATO  
transfer pricing matter.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202034

AWAC cash flow (US GAAP)

US$ million

Year ended 31 Dec 2020

Year ended 31 Dec 2019

Cash from operations

Capital contributions from partners

Net movement in borrowings

Capital expenditure

Other financing and investing activities1

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Cash flow before distributions

Distributions paid to partners

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

1. Includes of proceeds from sales of assets, and other.

671.8

60.1

(0.4)

(211.3)

2.0

16.4

538.6

(517.1)

21.5

906.3

127.5

(5.9)

(176.9)

3.7

3.5

858.2

(1,179.8)

(321.6)

Cash from operations in 2020 decreased primarily  
due to lower average realised alumina prices, which  
was partially offset by improvements in the cash cost of 
alumina production. Consequently, gross distributions 
paid to partners decreased to $517.1 million  
(2019: $1,179.8 million). 

In 2020, sustaining capital expenditure was approximately 
$202 million (2019: $151.0 million) with the most significant 
expenditure relating to Willowdale’s mine crusher move, 
the construction of a new residue storage area at Alumar 
and additional tailing ponds at Juruti. 

Growth capital expenditure was approximately $10 million 
(2019: $26 million). 

5.  Alumina Limited financial review

Alumina Limited profit and loss

US$ million

Year ended 31 Dec 2020

Year ended 31 Dec 2019

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

164.6

(12.6)

(5.2)

(0.2)

146.6

(0.1)

146.5

232.0

(12.1)

(7.3)

1.4

214.0

112.6

326.6

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Significant items (IFRS, post-tax)

US$ million

Year ended 31 Dec 2020

Year ended 31 Dec 2019

Suralco restructuring charges1

Point Comfort restructure-related charges1

New operating model restructuring charges

Other2 

Total significant items 

(4.0)

(4.5)

–

8.6

0.1

(2.2)

(109.0)

(4.9)

3.5

(112.6)

1.  Including holding costs
2.   Other significant items include net credit/(charges) related to Portland government facility forgiveness, restructuring, severance and other payments, 

and in 2019 Afobaka hydroelectricity dam accelerated depreciation.

Alumina Limited recorded a net profit after tax  
of $146.6 million (2019: $214.0 million). 

Excluding significant items, net profit would have  
been $146.5 million (2019: $326.6 million).

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

2020 general and administrative expenses  
were higher than 2019.

The increase in expenses reflects Alumina Limited’s continued 
investment in capabilities and expertise required to manage 
the business in an increasingly complex market. This includes 
hiring additional resources and engaging third party experts 
focusing on critical matters including marketing, sustainability, 
residue storage, climate change and other operational and 
strategic areas.

The Company’s finance costs in 2020 are lower than 2019 as 
a result of termination of the Company’s A$125 million note 
in July 2019, and its replacement with the syndicated bank 
facility which has a lower interest rate. 

Alumina Limited balance sheet

US$ million

31 Dec 2020

31 Dec 2019

Cash and cash equivalents

Investment in associates

Other assets

Total assets

Payables

Interest bearing liabilities

Provisions and other liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

10.4

1,784.5

1.8

1,796.7

0.7

60.0

1.4

62.1

15.2

1,836.8

1.8

1,853.8

0.9

70.0

0.8

71.7

1,734.6

1,782.1

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202036

The decrease in investments in associates was principally 
due to foreign currency balance sheet valuations as well as  
net distributions from investments in associated entities.

Alumina Limited’s net debt as at 31 December 2020 was 
$49.6 million. (2019: $54.8 million) and gearing was 2.8%  
(2019: 3.0%).

Alumina Limited has a US$350 million syndicated bank 
facility with tranches maturing in October 2022 (US$100 
million), July 2023 (US$150 million), and July 2024 
(US$100 million). 

As at 31 December 2020 there was US$60 million drawn 
against the syndicated facility.

Alumina Limited cash flow

US$ million

Year ended 31 Dec 2020

Year ended 31 Dec 2019

Dividends received

Net finance costs paid

Payments to suppliers and employees

GST refund, interest received and other

Cash from operations

Receipts – capital returns from associates

Payments – investment in associates

Payment for shares acquired by the Alumina Employee Share Plan

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Free cash flow available for dividends1

171.4

(4.9)

(12.3)

0.2

154.4

35.8

(24.5)

(0.9)

0.9

165.7

381.7

(8.3)

(11.9)

3.1

364.6

90.2

(51.0)

(0.9)

(0.8)

402.1

1.   For full year periods prior to 2020 free cashflow available for dividends was calculated as cash from operations less net investments in associates plus 

AWAC net distributions up to the date of dividends declaration.

Net distributions from AWAC totalled $182.7 million  
(2019: $420.9 million).

Contributions to AWAC in 2020 of $24.5 million  
(2019: $51 million) were mainly to support working  
capital requirements in Spain and Americas.

The reduction in distributions received from AWAC 
resulted primarily from lower average alumina prices.

Alumina Limited’s dividend policy is to distribute free  
cash flow derived from net AWAC distributions less the 
Company’s corporate and finance costs, whilst taking into 

consideration its capital structure, any capital requirements 
for AWAC and market conditions. Whilst the policy remains 
unchanged, effective from the 2020 interim dividend, the 
Company decided to adjust the dividend calculation method 
in order to simplify and better align it to the free cash flow 
in the relevant reporting period. 

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan was applied to the 2020 
interim dividend. DRP shares were issued to shareholders 
at a 1.5% discount.

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan has been suspended and 
will not apply to the 2020 final dividend.

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6.  Market outlook and guidance 

Aluminium

In 2020, COVID-19 impacted the consumption of aluminium 
and production costs in the value chain, but did not materially 
affect primary aluminium production. Global aluminium 
consumption in 2020 shrunk by around 5%. The only sector 
to have any positive growth was packaging. The main falls 
were in the transportation sector, which fell by around  
16% and the engineering sector, which fell by nearly 5%. 
All aluminium consumption sectors are expected to have 
material positive growth in 2021, contributing to forecast 
global aluminium consumption growth of nearly 7%.

Chinese primary production grew in 2020, while the rest  
of the world’s production was flat. A COVID-19-related drop 
in aluminium consumption outside China led to around  
2.5 million tonnes of primary aluminium being added to 
stocks and around 1 million tonnes exported to China, 
partly offset by some remelt exports from China.

China has experienced a strong economic recovery since 
the second quarter of 2020. Key aluminium consuming 
sectors, such as real estate, automotive and power grids  
all recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of the 
year. China’s fixed assets’ investment increased by 2.9% in 
2020, while investment in real estate was up by 7% and car 
production was down by 2%. Lingering COVID-19 impacts 
outside China resulted in a 15% decrease in Chinese 
aluminium product exports in 2020. Overall, primary 
aluminium consumption in China grew by 1% in 2020  
over 2019, thanks to growth in packaging, home appliances 
and machinery, as well as replacement of scrap aluminium 
due to a COVID-19-triggered scrap supply shortfall. 

Chinese primary aluminium production grew by 4% to  
37.3 million tonnes, as around 2.5 million tonnes per annum 
of new capacity was commissioned, particularly in the 
second half of 2020. As China recovered ahead of the rest 
of the world, coupled with a weak US dollar and low LME 
aluminium prices, the arbitrage window was open at the 
end of the second quarter of 2020 for China to import 
primary aluminium. China imported 1.1 million tonnes  
of primary aluminium, the largest volume since the  
GFC, resulting in an overall Chinese surplus of around  
1.1 million tonnes. 

Chinese producers are focusing on sustainability more 
than ever. Approximately 1.7 million tonnes of primary 
aluminium capacity have been moved to the South-west  
of China, taking advantage of lower cost and hydro power 
there. Another 2.4 million tonnes per annum of new smelting 
capacity is expected to be built in 2021, a majority of which 
will be based on hydro power. Chinese primary aluminium 
supply is forecast to grow by 4.7% in 2021 to 39 million 
tonnes, with the expected higher Chinese aluminium 
consumption in 2021 to result in a more balanced  
market compared with 2020. 

China introduced a centralised carbon trading scheme on 
1 February 2021 which, in the long-term, is likely to add costs 
to coal-based heavy emitters and steepen the aluminium 
cost curve. This scheme may incentivise smelters and refiners 
to convert to greener energy sources in the medium to 
longer-term.

Outside China in 2021, primary aluminium production is 
forecast to grow by 3.6%, assuming economies continue  
to recover from COVID-19. There is the potential for a  
boost to demand for primary aluminium from Government 
stimulus packages. The LME cash aluminium price, 
averaging $2,004 per tonne over January 2021, has been 
incentivising smelters to try to increase extra production  
or consider restarting curtailed production. Whilst the 
alumina price early in 2021 was hovering just above  
$300, around the high point of 2020, the percentage  
of the API (Alumina Price Index) over the LME aluminium 
price, sitting at around 15%, was on the low side of recent 
history. This has contributed to improved smelting profitability, 
along with the higher LME prices. Regional supply issues 
and tighter aluminium scrap availability early in 2021 have 
contributed to increased regional aluminium premiums.  
A lower primary aluminium surplus, expected in 2021, 
together with increasing consumer demands for low 
carbon aluminium, may lead to the development of a  
more widespread “green aluminium premium”.

Extra smelting production of around 1 million tonnes is 
expected mainly in Siberia, Malaysia, Iran, Norway, India 
and Argentina in 2021. Potential reductions in Spain and 
New Zealand are looking less likely. Downside risks include 
economic disruption due to COVID-19-relapses, higher-
than-expected Chinese primary production, lower Chinese 
prices and a sentiment-based reversal of the recent 
direction of the LME aluminium price.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202038

Alumina

As the production of primary aluminium was flat in 2020 
outside China, so too was the demand for metallurgical 
alumina. However, demand for non-metallurgical alumina 
fell by over 12% outside China in 2020 due to COVID’s 
impact. Total alumina production outside China grew  
by 4% over 2020, while falling in China by around 1%. 
Sporadic supply disruptions in and outside China had 
temporarily boosted Chinese alumina prices in the second 
half of 2020. Eventually prices rationalised towards the 
marginal costs’ level and stabilised around RMB 2,300 per 
tonne towards the final quarter of 2020. Over 2020, the API 
averaged $271 per tonne, compared with $332 per tonne 
over 2019. The API was higher in the second half of 2020 
due to increasing demand for alumina, short-term supply 
tightness, higher alumina refining costs and a rally in LME 
aluminium prices. Since December 2020, the API surpassed 
Chinese import parity prices (the Chinese domestic price 
minus extra costs and taxes of importing alumina) on higher 
LME aluminium prices, which stimulated greater alumina 
demand outside China. This, together with on-going exports 
to China, caused some regional supply/demand tightness, 
despite an overall alumina surplus outside China. Some 
supply restrictions in China in January 2021 caused the 
gap between the Chinese alumina import parity price  
and the API to narrow again. 

Despite COVID-triggered curtailments in the first half of 
2020, China’s alumina production in the second half of 2020 
recovered, with the resumption of idled capacity and the 
rollout of new capacity in Southern provinces. However, 
severe pollution towards the end of the year saw temporary 
capacity curtailments in northern China. Metallurgical 
production in China registered a marginal drop of 1%  
to 67.5 million tonnes. 

China continued to import alumina, importing a total of  
3.8 million tonnes in 2020. China’s metallurgical alumina 
market over 2020 is estimated to have been broadly 
balanced, with a marginal deficit of 0.4 million tonnes. 

In 2021, around 4 million tonnes per annum of alumina 
capacity is expected to be added in China. China’s 
metallurgical alumina production is forecast to grow by 
6%. Driven by growth in demand from primary aluminium, 
China’s metallurgical alumina market is expected to be in 
deficit again, which will be balanced by importing alumina. 

Average Chinese alumina production costs dropped  
by 13% to $271 per tonne in 2020. Most input costs such 
as bauxite, caustic soda and coal decreased, as China  
uses more imported bauxite, which requires less caustic 
and lower energy, coupled by subdued prices for  
those materials. 

Outside China, refining costs dropped by around 10% in 
2020, averaging $218 per tonne. Fuel costs fell by 22% as 
the oil price plunged and bauxite costs fell by 6%, due to 
lower energy and freight costs. Caustic soda costs also fell 
by 10%. Alumina costs globally in 2021 are expected to  
be higher due primarily to higher energy costs and likely 
higher freight costs. 

A stronger RMB against the US dollar is expected to raise 
the Chinese refining cost curve in US dollar terms. 

Over the medium to longer-term, more cost-effective 
refineries are expected to be built along the Chinese 
coast, replacing high-cost inland capacity. China is 
expected to produce sufficient alumina to only meet its 
internal demand, while importing the surplus from outside 
China when the arbitrage window is open. China is not 
expected to be a net exporter of alumina in the medium  
to longer-term, although there may be temporary periods 
of export if there are supply shocks outside China, as 
occurred in 2018. 

Outside China, just around 600,000 tonnes of alumina 
production from new capacity is expected in 2021. This  
is forecast to come mainly from the Bintan greenfields 
refinery and phase 2 of the Well Harvest Winning refinery, 
both in Indonesia. However, alumina production there is 
expected to be delayed to later in the year than they were 
previously forecast. This is expected to be supplemented 
by some extra alumina from an expanded Utkal refinery in 
India. In February 2021 Vedanta announced approval of 
resumption of its brownfields expansion at the Lanjigarh 
refinery in India.

Absent a stronger-than-expected aluminium production 
recovery in 2021, and subject to the consumption recovery 
of non-metallurgical alumina, a surplus of metallurgical 
alumina is still expected outside China of nearly 2.9 million 
tonnes. This would be smaller than the 2020 surplus of  
3.8 million tonnes and would be likely exported to China 
to balance the market globally. 

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Bauxite

China’s demand for imported bauxite continued to grow in 
2020, importing a total of 112 million tonnes, a 11% increase 
over 2019. Guinea (47%), Australia (33%) and Indonesia 
(17%) made up 97% of the bauxite imports into China. In 
December 2020, Indonesia extended its deadline to ban 
bauxite exports from January 2022 to June 2023. 

By the end of 2020, nearly 60% of China’s bauxite 
consumption was from imported sources. With more 
alumina capacity planned in coastal China, and the 
on-going decline in Chinese domestic bauxite quality, the 
appetite for imported bauxite is likely to grow in China.

Average delivered bauxite prices to China (normalised) 
dropped from $51.70 per tonne in 2019 to $46.70 per 
tonne in 2020, due to lower oil prices and an on-going 
supply surplus, particularly from Guinea. Some Chinese 
refiners hold collectively around 59 million tonnes of 
imported bauxite inventory, or 30 weeks of supply, which 
adds more pressure to bauxite prices. Assuming the oil 
price and freight market recover from the COVID shock, 
third-party bauxite costs are expected to rise in 2021, 
although the expected bauxite supply surplus is likely to 
continue to exert downward pressure on the bauxite price.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202040

AWAC guidance

The following 2021 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 shipments 

Alumina Price Index sensitivity1: +$10/t

Caustic price sensitivity2: +$100/dry metric tonne

Australian $ Sensitivity: + 1¢ AUD/USD

Brazilian $ Sensitivity: + 1¢ BRL/USD

2021 guidance

Approximately 12.8 million tonnes

Approximately 163,000 tonnes

Approximately 8.0 million BD tonnes

Approximately +$115 million EBITDA

Approximately -$90 million EBITDA

Approximately -$21 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 $225 million

Approximately $25 million

Approximately $15 million 
Approximately $30 million

Approximately $10 million
Approximately $35 million

Approximately $5 million
Approximately $10 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 2021 are that total receipts by Alumina Limited should 
exceed its corporate needs.

In 2021, Alumina Limited anticipates there could be equity calls by AWAC entities in relation to working capital support. 
However, this is subject to market conditions.

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LETTER BY CHAIR OF 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Dear Shareholders,

As always it gives me pleasure to write to you to frame Alumina’s remuneration report. As I retire from the Alumina  
Board following the 2021 AGM (having joined in February 2011), this is my last letter to you. In this letter I address both  
the performance and remuneration outcomes for this year, and also reflect on the remuneration journey the Board has 
travelled over the past seven years in particular as it has strengthened Alumina’s executive remuneration framework  
and policies to align with the context in which Alumina seeks to create value for its shareholders.

2020 business context

2020 has been an awful year for many people in the  
world. In early 2020, our management teams and Board 
acknowledged the huge uncertainty that lay ahead and 
responded quickly to potential impacts and risks as best 
as we could see them. At that time, the precise ways the 
world’s health, economies, markets and funds flow might 
fare was almost impossible to predict. Key steps taken were:

• 
• 

• 

Initiatives to protect employees’ health
 Increased level of communications regarding AWAC’s 
operational planning and crisis management in the 
event of forced operations closure. Consideration of 
the potential implications of different operating and 
financial scenarios which might have impacted Alumina 
Limited results.
 Judicious actions to hold additional balance sheet liquidity 
within Alumina in the event of deteriorating funding 
markets or if operating free cash flow should erode.

These steps were coupled with ongoing focus on key 
sustainability matters such as tailings dams’ integrity  
and governance, climate change and TCFD reporting. 

Only now can we see what transpired – at Alumina and 
AWAC, our world-wide operations from Australia, to 
Europe, to Brazil have been kept operating. 2020‘s 
production level of 12.8 million tonnes of alumina 
compares with 12.6 million tonnes in 2019. As a result, 
Australian government employment schemes such as 
Job-keeper were not required for Alumina Limited.

While generally companies in the energy, mining and 
minerals sectors continued trading through 2020, some  

of Australia’s core commodities have experienced weak 
prices, others have enjoyed price highs. 

The alumina price fell sharply from around $300/t in early 
March to $225/t in mid-April. Alumina prices ended up 
averaging $271/t for 2020, approximately 7% lower than 
the alumina price of the second half of 2019. By the end 
of 2020, the alumina and aluminium prices were $305/t 
and $1,974/t respectively, close to what they were in the 
beginning of the year.

At these levels, whilst the resultant margins of $69/tonne 
are not at the highs that were seen in 2018 and first half 
2019, they are nevertheless healthy and, notwithstanding 
the impact of lower commodity prices, annual cash flow 
has been sufficient to pay a dividend at a yield of 5% to 
our shareholders.

Detailed economic analysis in respect of alumina and 
aluminium prices has been provided in the Market, 
Outlook and Guidance section of the Operating and 
Financial Review.

2020 remuneration decisions and outcomes

In making its remuneration decisions in 2020, the Board 
therefore considered:

• 

 The huge pressure that our country has been under  
as a result of COVID-19 and the fact that, for many 
Australians, businesses and livelihoods have been lost. 
This broader social context was considered when taking 
decisions on fixed remuneration and STI outcomes.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202042

• 

• 

• 

 In evaluating performance against the corporate objectives 
or personal targets, the Board did not identify any 
instances where COVID might have made achievement 
easier and no credit was given where COVID made 
realisation harder. In the final review of the scorecard, 
the judgements made in assessing performance and  
the resultant mathematical outcomes were considered 
fair and appropriate. The Board was satisfied with the 
quality of the outcomes achieved and that the actual  
STI payments were appropriate and fair.
 The share price of the company and its linkage with 
commodity prices and exchange rates and potential impact 
on equity values used in remuneration. The Board used 
analysis to look for unusual movements which might result 
in executives benefiting in an unforeseen way, noting of 
course that a deteriorating share price will erode historic 
equity entitlements. The Board determined that there were 
no unusual movements impacting equity values used in 
remuneration and specifically, it was appropriate to grant 
the quantum of LTIs (at %’s consistent with the past).
 The Company TSR performance. In testing the two  
LTI tranches that expired in 2020, before approving the 
vesting, the Board considered the occurrence of negative 
absolute TSR, and that the degree varied by currency and 
by tranche which fell about six months apart. Having 
analysed other financial performance outcomes over 
the period (including dividend yield, return on invested 
capital and the relativities within the international peer 
group), the Board authorised vesting. As a highly cyclical 
company, the Board has concluded that it is more 
meaningful to examine the testing outcomes as they 
occur rather than introduce a further hurdle or gateway.

2020 key decisions can be summarized as:
• 

 2021 Conditional Rights (CR’s) and LTI’s granted to the 
CEO valued at $472,800 and $525,281 respectively at 
the time of the grant.
 LTI vesting of the CEO pro-rated tranche 17 in May 2020 
of 87% (as a result of partial vesting using the ASX 
comparator group and top percentile performance against 
the international comparator). Grant of pro-rated FY 17 
tranche was authorised by shareholders at the 2018 AGM.
 LTI vesting of tranche 18 at end December 2020 of 50% 
(as a result of no vesting using the ASX comparator 
group but positively, top percentile performance 
against the international comparator). 

• 

• 

• 

  STIs which are applicable for KMP other than the CEO 
and CFO were 89% of target award and 63% of maximum 
award (which compares with 97% and 75% in 2019). 
In total $417,000 was awarded and reflects that two 
executive KMP were covered in the 2020 scheme for 
the whole of the year (which compares to $513,00 in 
2019 where a 3rd, now former executive KMP, was 
included for part of the year).

Looking ahead to 2021, the following decisions were made:
 No increases to 2021’s fixed remuneration for executive KMP;
• 
 No increase to 2021 non-executive directors’ base fee, 
• 
consistent with decisions on fixed remuneration for 
executives and staff as a whole. 
 No increase to the 2021 non-executive directors’ 
committee fees, except for increase the fee for the Chair 
of the Nomination Committee from $10,000 to $15,000 
due to the increased workload. 

• 

Remuneration in a business context

Over my time on the Board, Alumina has had three CEOs. 
On each appointment, the Board has tested its thinking in 
terms of the qualities, experience and skill set sought in 
our CEOs as well as the remuneration structures and 
policies best suited to the Company. At the heart of this, 
the following considerations have been upper most:
 The non-operating and pure play nature of the 
• 
company, Alumina as the joint venture partner in AWAC 
provides shareholders with a unique exposure to tier 1 
alumina assets. This opportunity simply doesn’t exist 
through others in the sector that have, either more 
diversified downstream interests in the aluminium supply 
chain and/or businesses engaged in other metals or 
minerals. Alumina offers very direct exposure to the 
alumina price for our shareholders.
 The cyclical nature of this capital-intensive sector 
where the underlying alumina commodity price is a key 
direct determinant of AWC’s share price, earnings, free 
cash flow and dividends. For example, in 2020, global 
concerns about demand resulted in weakening alumina 
prices – through to quarter 3, AWAC’s realised alumina 
price declined by 20.2%, with EBITDA margin declining 
45.2%. In upswings of the cycle, prices and earnings can 
leap the other way. Dynamics such as these stem from 
worldwide supply imbalances and economic sentiment 
and remain external risks to the company.

• 

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• 

 The role of Alumina and its management team in the 
joint venture. AWAC’s businesses are based on long-life 
assets. As well as the day-to-day operational management, 
these assets require sustaining capital, timely reinvestment 
for growth and long-term customer and supply chain 
positions. There are significant responsibilities to our 
communities too. This done well, coupled with appropriate 
balance sheet settings, underpins sustainable value 
creation and protection through the cycle. Alcoa’s role  
is that of manager and equity owner. Alumina’s role is  
to influence Alcoa in its position as manager of the joint 
venture and share in the custodianship, while exercising 
its position and rights in the joint venture arrangements 
appropriately to support shareholders’ interests and 
optimising our investment.

Remuneration policies for AWC’s leadership team

The Alumina board has continued to think carefully about 
its remuneration policies such that they are aligned with 
shareholders and with longer-term outcomes (yet balance 
the exposure executives should bear to the rise and fall of 
commodity pricing and have specific mechanisms in place 
to ensure that overall remuneration is reduced in times of 
poor returns).
We believe that these considerations are captured by the 
following policies:
• 

 To pay fixed remuneration at a competitive level that  
will attract and retain high calibre executives – we look 
for strong leadership, relationship and influencing skills, 
proven track record in commercial and M&A transactions 
together with an ability to grasp the detail of complex 
matters pertaining to a global asset base while thinking 
strategically and tactically.
 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. 
 As part of their Remuneration, the CEO and CFO have 
no STI, but as a part of their remuneration CR’s are 
awarded with a three-year trading lock.
 LTIs are delivered wholly in equity, with testing against 
two peer groups using TSR. LTIs are set at a level such 
that the quantum would be considered modest when 
compared with more traditional senior executive 
remuneration structures.
 STI, as applicable for other senior KMP, is grounded in 
corporate objectives and a scorecard and designed with 
an appropriate exposure to short-term financial results 
such that on the one hand, large windfall gains (say as a 
result of peak world alumina price rises or exchange 

• 

rate movements) do not flow through to remuneration 
and, on the other hand, STI’s are curtailed when returns 
are poor. Furthermore, Mr Foster (Company Secretary 
and General Counsel) is required to applied 50% of STI 
award towards purchasing shares. 
 To set overall remuneration levels with additional 
reference to the nonoperating nature of the company. 
When benchmarked last in 2019 against ASX 51-100 
peer group, the CEO’s overall remuneration was at the 
“8th” percentile.

• 

CEO remuneration

With Mr Ferraro’s appointment in 2017, the Board evolved 
its CEO’s remuneration structure further such that his 
remuneration consists of FAR, equity CR’s (no STI) and an 
LTI. This, in turn, built on the structure introduced in 2014 
for his predecessor Mr Wasow. Mr Wasow’s remuneration 
consisted of FAR, equity exposed CR’s, significantly 
reduced STI and LTI. 

As seen in the benchmarking analysis, the Board has been 
consistent in its discipline to offer and maintain attractive 
and aligned remuneration, however at a much more 
modest overall level than typically applies.

The Board continues to believe that, for Alumina, the pay 
mix is appropriate for its CEO whose leadership skills, 
abilities to gain traction with Alcoa while maintaining a 
focus on Alumina’s long-term agenda and stakeholder 
relationships is key. His remuneration is significantly 
exposed to the company’s share price, in his CR’s and 
through the LTI. Since his appointment, as AWC’s share 
price has followed the fortunes of the commodity, the 
values of the CEO’s on foot CR’s as at 31 December 2020 
are lower than on grant, by approximately $291,000 or 19%. 

The CEO’s remuneration remains performance based, 
however, the CEO’s personal performance against corporate 
objectives and leadership is assessed formally annually  
by the Board and this assessment underpins the Board’s 
decision-making regarding his remuneration (including 
FAR and CR’s) as well as the LTI’s. The value of the CR’s on 
vesting reflects the share price and dividend performance 
since grant. The LTI award mechanism requires company 
outperformance against two cohorts (Australian ASX top 
companies and a sector international peer group) to 
trigger vesting.

In closing, I would like to thank shareholders and  
other stakeholders for your thoughtful dialogue on our 
remuneration report and policies; your ongoing input  
is of considerable value.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020 
 
 
44

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 governance framework

1.4  Remuneration strategy, components and mix

2. 

 Company performance and executive 
remuneration outcomes

2.1  Company performance

2.2  Remuneration decisions and outcomes for 2020

2.3 

2.4 

2.5 

2.6 

 CEO, CFO and Senior Executives performance  
under the LTI plan

 Senior Executives (excluding CEO and CFO) 
performance under the STI plan

 CEO and Senior Executives 2020 statutory 
remuneration

 Actual “take home” 2020 remuneration 
awarded to CEO and Senior Executives

3.  Non-Executive Directors remuneration

3.1  Remuneration outcomes in 2020

3.2  Non-Executive Directors share holdings

4.  Additional disclosures

4.1  Reconciliation of Conditional Rights held by CEO

4.2 

 Value change over time of the CEO’s Conditional Rights

4.3 

4.4 

 Reconciliation of Performance Rights held 
by Executive KMP

 Reconciliation of ordinary shares held by  
Executive KMP

4.5  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

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1.  Remuneration framework

1.1  Persons covered by this Report

This Report sets out remuneration information for Key Management Personnel (“KMP”) which includes Non-Executive 
Directors (NED), Executive Director (the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and those key executives who have the authority 
and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the group, either directly or indirectly (together 
with Executive Director, herein referred to as Executive KMP).

Name

Role

Non-Executive Directors

Peter Day

Emma Stein

Chen Zeng

Deborah O’Toole

John Bevan

Shirley In’t Veld

Executive KMP

Mike Ferraro

Grant Dempsey

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

Former Executive KMP

Non-Executive Chairman

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Appointed Chairman 1 April 2018 
Director since 1 January 2014

Appointed 3 February 2011

Appointed 15 March 2013

Appointed 1 December 2017

Appointed 1 January 2018

Appointed 3 August 2020

Managing Director and CEO

Appointed CEO from 1 June 2017

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Appointed 1 July 2019

General Counsel/Company Secretary

Appointed 4 December 2002

Group Executive Strategy and 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.

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 59,000 
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.

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 must have a clear position 
on the bauxite, alumina and aluminium markets to allow 
detailed and substantive discussion with our joint venture 
partner and our shareholders on portfolio management, 
investment opportunities, sustainability and disruptive threats.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202046

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.

Alumina Limited goal is to be an active, informed and 
engaged joint venture partner and therefore it 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. 

1.3  Remuneration governance framework

The Board of Directors

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

Compensation Committee

Delegated authority to:

• 

• 

 Take advice from management and where relevant, 
independent advisers.
 Devise a remuneration framework, strategy, policies  
and practices.

1.4 Remuneration strategy, components and mix

Remuneration strategy

• 

• 

 Oversee the implementation of the remuneration 
strategy and policy.
 Establish appropriate performance objectives 
and measures.
 Monitor performance against objectives and 
recommend incentive awards.
•  Approve remuneration outcomes.

• 

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

External consultants

• 

 Provide independent advice on remuneration  
trends and practices.

•  Provide benchmarking data and analysis.
• 

 Support the Compensation Committee in relation  
to changes to remuneration policy, employment 
contracts, structures and practices etc.
 Provide governance and legal advice on  
remuneration related matters.

• 

Management

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

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

Alignment

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

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

Sustainability

Transparency

REMUNERATION PRINCIPLES

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

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

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Executive KMP remuneration components and pay mix

The table below sets out the different components of remuneration for Alumina’s Executive 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.

Executive 
remuneration 
components

Fixed  
remuneration  
(“FAR”)

Long-term  
incentive (LTI)1

CEO & CFO equity  
based award

Short-term incentive 
for Senior Executives1

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.

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

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

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.

Delivery

Cash payment

Performance Rights

Conditional Rights

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.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202048

As communicated in last year’s report, in 2019 the Board 
reviewed the CEO’s package and resolved to increase it, 
effective 2020, to recognise the CEO’s contribution, the 
CEO’s leadership and outperformance in role, though with 
significant emphasis on increasing the CEO’s exposure to 
equity in the Company. The CEO’s total reward opportunity 
was increased by 6% effected through a combination of 
increases to FAR (2.2% increase), conditional rights (12.5% 
increase) and LTI opportunity (11% increase), as set out in 
last year’s report. These changes were determined and 
implemented prior to the onset of the global pandemic. 

Over the last 6 years, since the first significant change in 
structure of the CEO remuneration package, exposure to 
equity component increased from 22% to 42% of the total  
award opportunity.

The Board continues to set specific annual objectives for 
the CEO some will relate to the year ahead, whereas others 
may take longer to achieve with specific milestones sought 
in the year ahead. Progress is reviewed formally quarterly 
and at the end of the year. This process provides the Board 
with a basis to assess and discuss CEO performance in the 
short term. Also, and importantly, it provides a basis to 
ensure that the Board and CEO are aligned on priorities 
that will underpin long-term shareholder value creation 
and go to the heart of the role as Alumina’s CEO.

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 and CFO reward opportunity 
positioning in the lowest quartile, the Board also considers 
other factors such as market or inflation increases, maturity 
in role and level of contribution in certain areas of JV 
governance and operations. In 2020 the Board also 
considered the impact of the global pandemic on company 
performance and performance against corporate objectives.

On this basis, the Board decided that the CEO’s and CFO’s 
2021 remuneration packages would remain unchanged.

CEO and CFO

As communicated in last year’s Remuneration Report, the 
CFO succession presented the Board with the opportunity 
to align the CFO’s remuneration structure and performance 
assessment with that of the CEO. 

This alignment promotes a stronger leadership structure 
focused on the value creation activities, whilst eliminating 
potential prioritisation of the short-term goals over 
longer-term strategic objectives.

The CEO’s remuneration package comprises of a FAR 
component of $1,369,600, an equity component delivered 
via Conditional Rights and Performance Rights valued at 
$472,800 and $525,281 respectively at the time of the grant.

% of CEO potential total remuneration

C
A
S
H

E
Q
U
T
Y

I

FAR 58%

Conditional Rights 20%

Restriction period

LTI Performance Rights 22%

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

The CFO’s remuneration package comprises of a fixed cash 
component of $899,400, an equity component delivered 
via Conditional Rights and Performance Rights valued at 
$242,200 each at the time of the grant. 

It is the Board view that a greater proportion of equity 
exposure (delivered via the Conditional Rights and LTI) in 
the CEO’s remuneration package reflects the future strategic 
intent of the role. The change in value of equity component 
over time mirrors the experience of shareholders.

% of CFO potential total remuneration

C
A
S
H

E
Q
U
T
Y

I

FAR 65%

Conditional Rights 18%

Restriction period

LTI Performance Rights 18%

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

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Senior Executives

2.   Company performance and executive 

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.

Each year, the Company strategic, financial and non-
financial objectives are identified. Objectives are weighted 
differently for each of the Executive KMP depending on 
the expected level of input and responsibilities assigned. 
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 and  
STI award is determined with the reference to the  
“Corporate Gate” measure.

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

% of potential total remuneration

C
A
S
H

E
Q
U
T
Y

I

FAR 48%

STI 16.5%

STI Shares 16.5%

LTI 19%

FAR 56%

STI 28%

LTI 17%

Company Secretary

GM Strategy & Development

remuneration outcomes

2.1  Company performance

Alumina Limited has continued its run of strong results, 
recording a net profit after tax of $146.6 million, a strong 
result considering the year that was collectively faced by all.

Alumina Limited announced a fully-franked, final dividend 
of 2.9 US cents per share, bringing the five-year average 
dividend yield to 7.5%, all fully franked.

Last five years average dividend yield (excl. franking credits)  

7.1

6.5

3.9

2.8

2.2

1.7

No dividends

Alumina

Rio
Tinto

South32

Norsk
Hydro

Alba

Rusal

Alcoa
Corp.

Century
Aluminium

The Company’s net debt at 31 December was only  
$50 million, which is a gearing level of 2.8%, declining 
further from the previous year as Alumina Limited  
reduced its level of drawdown on its existing facilities.

2020 was a tumultuous year with suppressed alumina 
prices especially in the first half where alumina prices 
bottomed out at $225/t during April. Prices recovered in 
second half to an average of $278 per tonne for 2020 and 
has settled around $300/t since the middle of December.

A low cost, tier one portfolio of assets, supports AWAC’s 
ability to remain profitable despite lower alumina prices. 
Despite market volatility caused by the impact of  
COVID-19, AWAC recorded an EBITDA of $896 million  
and a net profit after tax of $402 million. Deferral of some 
non-critical maintenance and growth capex underpinned  
a robust cash-flow-from-operations of $672 million.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202050

The power of AWAC’s business over the past decade is 
demonstrated by both Its resilience to negative shocks, 
such as COVID and also its ability to take advantage of 
positive shocks like we saw in 2018 resulting from  
supply-side interruption. 

Since the API was introduced a decade ago, AWAC’s 
margin has averaged about $90 per tonne. The portfolio 
has also strengthened over that time, due to increased  
API-linked revenue and the closure or sale of some 
high-cost refineries which operated prior to 2016. 

Alumina Limited’s unique direct and undiluted exposure  
to AWAC’s portfolio of low cost, world class assets, 
together with a continued strong balance sheet, underpins 
the Company’s capacity to deliver strong returns to 
shareholders throughout the cycle. 

Alumina Limited’s TSR compared to relevant ASX indices, 
demonstrates a track record of solid returns to investors 
since 2016 following the completion of AWAC’s asset 
portfolio transformation.

Alumina TSR vs. ASX indices – last 5 years

Margin over the past 10 years (US$/t)

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

Realised price

Cash CAP1

2011

2014

2017

2020

Realised price

Cash CAP

1.  Prior to 2016 the CAP included high-cost refineries that are no longer part  
  of the portfolio and as such have been removed from the calculated CAP.

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

Jan 16

Jan 17

Jan 18

Jan 19

Jan 20

Oct 20

Alumina Ltd. TSR (including franking credits) 

ASX 100 accumulation index

ASX 200 materials accumulation index

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Historical company performance

Net Profit/(Loss) after tax (US$ million)

Net Profit/(Loss) after tax  
(excluding significant items) (US$ million)

Dividend declared (US cents per share)

Share price at the end of the period 
(AUD per share)

Total shareholder return – including 
franking credits (%)

Total shareholder return – excluding 
franking credits (%)

2020

146.6

146.5

5.7

1.835

(14.2)

(16.0)

2019

214.0

326.6

8.0

2.30

15.5

10.8

2018

635.4

689.9

22.7

2.30

7.7

3.8

2017

339.8

363.1

13.5

2.43

41.8

39.1

2016

(30.2)

84.7

6.0

1.83

69.2

66.0

2.2  Remuneration decisions and outcomes for 2020

Fixed remuneration

2020 outcomes

Long-term incentive

2020 outcomes

The following changes in FAR were determined and implemented in 2019, effective in 2020, prior to the 
global pandemic:
• 

 Fixed remuneration for the CFO and Senior Executives increased by 2.5%, which was generally in line 
with the increases applied to the broader staff in the Company. 
 As set out in section 1.3 the CEO’s fixed remuneration was revised including a 2.2% increase to FAR.

• 

The FY18 LTI was tested in 2020 (testing period December 2017 to December 2020) with 50% of the 
total award vesting.
Alumina Limited’s performance against the ASX Comparator group fell below the minimum required 
vesting threshold of 50th percentile ranking and therefore zero per cent of the potential entitlement 
vested. In relation to the International Comparator Group, Alumina Limited’s performance exceeded  
75th percentile resulting in 100 per cent of the potential entitlement vested.
The CEO’s pro-rata FY17 LTI was tested in 2020 (testing period June 2017 to May 2020) with 87% of the 
total award vesting.
Alumina Limited’s performance against the ASX Comparator group was 61.6 percentile rank, therefore 
73.20 per cent of the potential entitlement vested. In relation to the International Comparator Group, 
Alumina Limited’s performance exceeded 75th percentile resulting in 100 per cent of the potential 
entitlement vested.

Short-term incentive

2020 outcomes

In 2020, 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 68% of the maximum STI.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202052

2.3  CEO, CFO and Senior Executives performance under the LTI plan

2020

Key features of the LTI Plan

Description

Performance 
period

Performance 
hurdles

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.

Three years

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.

• 

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

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

Below 50th

Equal to 50th

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

Equal to or greater than 75th

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.

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). 

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2020

Key features of the LTI Plan continued

Opportunity 
levels2

Percentage of FAR (%)3

CEO

CFO

Approx 38

Approx 27

Interim  
CFO

20

Company  
Secretary

40

GE Strategy and 
Development

30

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.

3.   Former Executive KPI, Ms Kraeva, was appointed ICFO from 19 November 2018 to 30 June 2019. Ms Kraeva’s LTI entitlement was up to 20% of FAR. 
Alumina Limited’s performance resulted in 50 per cent of the total potential entitlement in relation to the FY18 LTI and 87 per cent of the total 
potential entitlement in relation to the CEO’s pro-rata FY17 LTI vesting in 2020. 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 Executive KMP as a result of this performance. 
Full reconciliation of number of rights at the beginning and the end of the financial year is provided in section 4.3 of this report.

Alumina Limited’s performance resulted in 50 per cent of the total potential entitlement in relation to the FY18 LTI vesting 
in December 2020. 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 Executive 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.

LTI – FY18 (vested in 2020)

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

(4.56%)

38.9%

59.32%

8.71%

5 December 2017– 4 December 2020

USD1

(8.13%)

Above 75th percentile

(24.68%)

(32.59%)

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

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202054

Executive KMP

Michael Ferraro

Grant Dempsey

Stephen Foster3

Andrew Wood

Number of performance rights
vested in 2020 (FY18 Tranche)1

A$ value of performance
rights exercised 2

99,000

–

47,750

26,750

181,566

–

96,600

49,060

1.   Performance Rights vested in 2020 were issued based on 2017 employment. Mr Dempsey was appointed CFO from 1 July 2019, therefore 

Performance Rights granted are still subject to future performance testing.

2.   The value of Performance Rights exercised is determined by the number of Rights exercised in 2020 multiplied by the market price at the exercise date.
3.   Mr Foster exercised 60,000 rights that have vested in 2019. He did not exercise his rights vested in 2020 as yet. Had he done so on the vesting date 
the value of his respective Performance Rights would have been $87,574. Mr Foster also retained 65,600 rights that vested in 2019 unexercised, had 
he done so on the vesting date the value of his respective Performance Rights would have been $154,816.

LTI – CEO’s pro-rata FY17 (vested in 2020)

Mr Ferraro received a pro-rated FY17 number of performance rights, based on his start date of 1 June 2017.  
The grant of the pro-rated FY17 tranche has been approved by shareholders at the 2018 AGM, at the same time  
as the grant of FY18 tranche.

Alumina Limited’s performance resulted in an 87 per cent of the total potential entitlement in relation to the CEO’s 
pro-rated FY17 LTI vesting in 2020. 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 CEO as result of this performance. 
The full reconciliation of the number of rights at the beginning and the end of the financial year are provided in section 
4.3 of this report.

The number of performance rights vested to in 2020 in relation to FY17 tranche was 122,886 with a total value of 
A$199,690 at the exercise date.

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

5.60%

61.6%

26.50%

(2.44%)

1 June 2017 – 31 May 2020

USD1

(7.30%)

Above 75th percentile

(34.66%)

(45.05%)

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

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2.4  Senior Executives (excluding CEO and CFO) performance under the STI plan

2020

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, subject to the Board discretion, 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 achievements 
by executives.

Opportunity levels

Level of performance

Percentage of FAR (%)1

Company Secretary/ 
General Counsel

GE Strategy and  
Development

Below expectations

Corporate gate not met 
(50% of target)

Corporate gate satisfied 
(100% of target)

Maximum

0

28

56

70

0

17.5

35

50

1. 

 Former Executive KPM, Ms Kraeva, was appointed ICFO from 19 November 2018 to 30 June 2019. Ms Kraeva maximum STI entitlement was up to 
30% of FAR (24% at target).

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202056

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 2020.

In 2020 the Board continued to prioritise strategic objectives designed to focus management efforts on influence over the 
AWAC’s future development and strategic direction of Alumina Limited.

2020 STI scorecard

Performance measure

Strategic objectives:
• 

 Engage with Alcoa to assess the future of 
AWAC’s activities and long-term options
 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. Develop Alumina Limited 
climate change and sustainability strategy
 Develop a strategic mid-term platform for 
Alumina Limited

• 

• 

• 

• 

•  Undertake full strategy review

Financial objectives:
• 

 Ensure the cash distributions required  
under the AWAC Joint Venture agreements  
for 2020 are received and equity contributions  
properly assessed
 Reconsider and evaluate Alumina Limited’s 
liquidity and leverage position
•  Maintain key financial metrics

• 

Non-financial objectives:
• 

 Effective and good working relationship  
is maintained and enhanced with Alcoa
 Focus on health and safety of employees. 
Support inclusion, communication and  
staff welfare whilst working remotely

• 

Weighting

Performance assessment

65%

Partially achieved:
Sustainability and climate change targets are set. 
Full strategy review is ongoing. 
Alumina Limited mid-term platform to incorporate 
greater focus on green energy.

20%

15%

At target
Whilst the global pandemic did not materially affect 
AWAC operations, to be prepared for potential 
deterioration in financial and commodity markets, 
management assessed potential implications of 
different operating and financial scenarios and 
increased the Company’s available cash on hand, 
recommenced the DRP and achieved a low level  
of gearing with an access to significant liquidity.

At target
The COVID-19 pandemic put the highest priority 
on safety of our people. Management implemented 
strict protocols across the business including 
working from home and travel suspension.

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Despite travel restrictions management maintained a close contact with JV partner Alcoa and progress was achieved 
across all of objectives, however as other priorities emerged during the pandemic, some objectives were partially 
achieved and completion was deferred into 2021.

The above was reflected in the lower percentage of the STI awarded compare to the previous year. 

2020 STI outcomes

Name and role

Executive KMP

Stephen Foster  
(Company Secretary)

Andrew Wood  
(GE Strategy and Development)

Former Executive KMP

Galina Kraeva  
(Interim CFO)1

Total Executive STI

Year

STI  
paid 
A$

Paid as a 
percentage 
of target 
award

Forfeited as 
a percentage 
of target 
award

Paid as a  
percentage 
of maximum 
award

Forfeited as 
a percentage 
of maximum 
award

2020

284,000

2019

302,000

2020

133,000

2019

141,000

2019

70,000

2020

2019

417,000

513,000

89%

97%

89%

97%

97%

89%

97%

11%

3%

11%

3%

3%

11%

3%

71%

78%

63%

68%

78%

68%

75%

29%

22%

37%

32%

22%

32%

25%

1. 

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

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202058

2.5  CEO and Senior Executives statutory remuneration

The following table shows details of the remuneration expense recognised for the Group’s Executive KMP for the  
current and previous financial year measured in accordance with the requirements of the Australian 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.

Year

Short-term benefits 
(A$)

Post employment  

benefits 

(A$)

FAR1

STI

Non monetary2

Other3

Total

Superannuation4

Conditional Rights5

Performance Rights6

Executive KMP

Mike Ferraro

2020

1,358,753

2019

1,318,833

36,078

–

1,394,831

34,689

7,702

1,361,224

Grant Dempsey7

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

Former Executive KMP

Galina Kraeva8 

Total executive 
remuneration

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2019

2020

2019

–

–

–

–

878,052

428,249

30,622

14,758

545,200

284,000

26,594

531,300

302,000

477

404,152

133,000

394,333

141,000

13,546

12,950

289,734

70,000

9,088

3,186,157

417,000

106,840

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

908,674

443,007

855,794

833,777

550,698

548,283

368,822

3,709,997

2,962,449

513,000

71,962

7,702

3,555,113

Share based payments 

Total remuneration 

(A$)

(A$)

Total

233,513

706,313

2,111,991

276,118

696,368

2,078,359

19,443

320,704

1,250,726

–

59,063

512,571

126,347

126,347

1,007,140

131,932

131,932

70,773

72,583

19,868

450,076

500,501

70,773

72,583

19,868

1,224,137

979,814

990,709

642,819

641,633

398,956

5,012,676

4,622,228

10,847

20,767

21,348

10,501

25,000

25,000

21,348

20,767

10,266

78,543

87,301

472,800

420,250

301,262

59,063

–

–

–

–

–

774,062

479,313

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 reflect the SGC contributions for all Executive KMP.
5.   The CEO’s and CFO’s remuneration packages include 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.

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FAR1

STI

Non monetary2

Other3

Short-term benefits 

(A$)

Total

Post employment  
benefits 
(A$)

Superannuation4

Conditional Rights5

Performance Rights6

Total

Share based payments 
(A$)

Total remuneration 
(A$)

10,847

20,767

21,348

10,501

25,000

25,000

21,348

20,767

10,266

78,543

87,301

472,800

420,250

301,262

59,063

–

–

–

–

–

774,062

479,313

233,513

706,313

2,111,991

276,118

696,368

2,078,359

19,443

320,704

1,250,726

–

59,063

512,571

126,347

126,347

1,007,140

131,932

131,932

70,773

72,583

19,868

450,076

500,501

70,773

72,583

19,868

1,224,137

979,814

990,709

642,819

641,633

398,956

5,012,676

4,622,228

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.

2.5  CEO and Senior Executives statutory remuneration

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

current and previous financial year measured in accordance with the requirements of the Australian 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.

Year

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2019

2020

2019

Mike Ferraro

2020

1,358,753

36,078

1,394,831

2019

1,318,833

34,689

7,702

1,361,224

Executive KMP

Grant Dempsey7

–

–

–

–

878,052

428,249

Stephen Foster

545,200

284,000

26,594

531,300

302,000

477

Andrew Wood

404,152

133,000

394,333

141,000

30,622

14,758

13,546

12,950

Former Executive KMP

Galina Kraeva8 

Total executive 

remuneration

289,734

70,000

9,088

3,186,157

417,000

106,840

2,962,449

513,000

71,962

7,702

3,555,113

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 reflect the SGC contributions for all Executive KMP.

5.   The CEO’s and CFO’s remuneration packages include 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.

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

908,674

443,007

855,794

833,777

550,698

548,283

368,822

3,709,997

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202060

2.6  Actual “take home” 2020 remuneration awarded to CEO and Senior Executives

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

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

• 

 Cash salary including superannuation benefits and any salary sacrifice arrangements, but excluding  
termination payments;

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

•  STI cash payment;

Short-term benefits (A$)

STI

Other

Total

Conditional Rights

Performance Rights

Total

termination (A$)

remuneration 

Year

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2019

2020

2019

Executive KMP

Mike Ferraro

Grant Dempsey1

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

Former Executive KMP

Galina Kraeva2 

Total executive 
remuneration

FAR including 
superannuation

1,369,600

1,339,600

899,400

438,750

–

–

–

–

570,200

284,000

556,300

302,000

425,500

133,000

415,100

141,000

300,000

3,264,700

3,049,750

70,000

417,000

513,000

1. Mr Dempsey appointed CFO on 1 July 2019. 
2. Ms Kraeva appointed Interim CFO from 19 November 2018 to 30 June 2019.

–

1,369,600

7,702

1,347,302

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,702

899,400

438,750

854,200

858,300

558,500

556,100

370,000

3,681,700

3,570,452

at the vesting date);

• 

• 

 LTI vested and exercised (being the number of Performance Rights that vested and 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.

Share based payments (A$)

Total “take home” 

remuneration, excluding 

Total 

statutory 

(A$)

381,256

2,169,270

2,111,991

418,414

379,160

79,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

497,414

379,160

–

–

–

96,600

468,000

49,060

156,940

202,578

526,915

827,518

799,670

379,160

79,000

96,600

468,000

49,060

156,940

202,578

1,024,329

1,206,678

–

438,750

512,571

1,726,462

2,078,359

978,400

1,250,726

950,800

1,007,140

1,326,300

990,709

607,560

642,819

713,040

641,633

572,578

398,956

4,706,029

4,777,130

5,012,676

4,622,228

2.6  Actual “take home” 2020 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  

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

termination payments;

•  STI cash payment;

Year

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2019

2020

2019

Executive KMP

Mike Ferraro

Grant Dempsey1

FAR including 

superannuation

1,369,600

1,339,600

899,400

438,750

1,369,600

7,702

1,347,302

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

899,400

438,750

854,200

858,300

558,500

556,100

370,000

3,681,700

3,570,452

Stephen Foster

570,200

284,000

Andrew Wood

425,500

133,000

556,300

302,000

415,100

141,000

Former Executive KMP

Galina Kraeva2 

Total executive 

remuneration

300,000

3,264,700

3,049,750

70,000

417,000

513,000

7,702

1. Mr Dempsey appointed CFO on 1 July 2019. 

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

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• 

• 

 Conditional Rights vested (being the number of Conditional Rights that vested multiplied by the market price  
at the vesting date);

 LTI vested and exercised (being the number of Performance Rights that vested and 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.

Short-term benefits (A$)

Share based payments (A$)

STI

Other

Total

Conditional Rights

Performance Rights

Total

Total “take home” 
remuneration, excluding 
termination (A$)

Total 
statutory 
remuneration 
(A$)

418,414

379,160

79,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

497,414

379,160

381,256

–

–

–

96,600

468,000

49,060

156,940

202,578

526,915

827,518

799,670

379,160

79,000

2,169,270

2,111,991

1,726,462

2,078,359

978,400

1,250,726

–

438,750

512,571

96,600

468,000

49,060

156,940

202,578

1,024,329

1,206,678

950,800

1,007,140

1,326,300

990,709

607,560

642,819

713,040

641,633

572,578

398,956

4,706,029

4,777,130

5,012,676

4,622,228

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202062

3.  Non-Executive Directors remuneration

3.1  Remuneration outcomes in 2020

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 $1,345,165 was paid in Non-Executive Director fees in 2020. 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 Nomination Committees Chair fees for 2021, 
whilst keeping the Chairman, Director base fee and other committee fees unchanged. 

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

2020 
A$

2021 
A$

150,000

150,000

35,000 
10,000

35,000 
10,000

– 
10,000

10,000 
–

35,000 
10,000

35,000 
10,000

– 
10,000

15,000 
–

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.

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The table below provides 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

Year

Short-term benefits (A$)

Post employment 
benefits (A$)

Fees Non-monetary

Total

Superannuation1

Total  
remuneration  
(A$)

Peter Day

2020

388,652

2019

389,233

Emma Stein

2020

205,000

2019

185,000

Deborah O’Toole

2020

205,000

2019

185,000

Chen Zeng

2020

180,000

2019

160,000

John Bevan

2020

190,000

2019

170,000

Shirley In’t Veld2

2020

74,032

Total Non-Executive  
Director remuneration

2020

1,242,684

2019

1,089,233

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

388,652

389,233

205,000

185,000

205,000

185,000

180,000

160,000

190,000

170,000

21,348

410,000

20,767

410,000

19,475

224,475

17,575

202,575

19,475

224,475

17,575

202,575

17,100

197,100

15,200

175,200

18,050

208,050

16,150

186,150

74,032

7,033

81,065

1,242,684

102,481

1,345,165

1,089,233

87,267

1,176,500

1.  The applicable superannuation contribution rate for 2020 and 2019 was 9.5 per cent.
2.  Ms In’t Veld was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on 3 August 2020. 

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202064

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 
their annual fees within five years from their appointment as a Director.

Non-Executive  
Director

Peter Day

Emma Stein

Deborah O’Toole

Chen Zeng

John Bevan

Shirley In’t Veld

Year

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

Number of 
shares as at 
1 January1

Number of 
shares acquired 
during the year

Number of
shares as at 
31 December1

Date on which  
policy compliance 
achieved

75,720

75,720

84,794

84,794

8,000

8,000

4,804

4,804

300,154

300,154

58,050

133,770

03/11/2014

–

–

–

32,000

–

–

–

–

–

75,720

84,794

84,794

40,000

8,000

4,804

4,804

300,154

300,154

24/02/2014

-2

-3

01/01/2018

–

102,563

102,563

03/08/2020

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.  Ms O’Toole is required to achieve compliance with the Director shareholding policy by 1 December 2022.
3.  Mr Zeng is a nominee of CITIC and CITIC holds 548,959,208 ordinary fully paid shares in Alumina Limited.

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4.  Additional disclosures

4.1  Reconciliation of Conditional Rights held by CEO and CFO

Executive 
KMP

Year1

Number of rights

Value of rights (A$)

Total 
as at 
1 January

Granted
during the

year1,2,8

Vested
during
the year3,8

Lapsed
during
the year4

Total
as at
31 Dec5

Granted
during the

Vested
during the

year1,2,8

year6,8

Lapsed
during
the year4

Mike  
Ferraro 
(CEO)

Grant  
Dempsey 
(CFO)

2020

183,515

203,794

(183,515)

2019

169,268

183,515

(169,268)

2020

49,842

104,396

(49,842)

2019

–

49,842

–

–

–

–

–

203,794

472,800

(418,414)

183,515

420,250

(379,160)

104,396

242,200

(79,000)

49,842

118,125

–

–

–

–

Maximum
value of
rights yet
to vest 
(A$)7

–

–

–

1.   Mr Ferraro receives Conditional Rights replacing an STI component. The number of Conditional Rights is determined by dividing the set value  

of $472,800 (2019: $420,250) by a Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) of $2.32 (2019: $2.29), independently calculated by Mercer.
2.   Mr Dempsey receives Conditional Rights replacing an STI component. The number of Conditional Rights is determined by dividing the set value  
of $242,200 (2019: $236,250 pro rated) by a VWAP of $2.32 (2019: $2.37). Mr Dempsey received a pro-rate allocation in 2019 calculated from his 
commencement date of 1 July 2019 as CFO.

3.   The terms of Conditional Rights granted were not altered during 2020. 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 2020, for Mr Ferraro, it was 183,515 Conditional Rights by the share price of $2.28 on 8 January 2020 (2019: 169,268 Conditional Rights by the 
share price of $2.24 on 7 January 2019). In 2020, for Mr Dempsey, it was 49,842 Conditional Rights by the share price of $1.59 on 17 August 2020.
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.

8.   There is a three-year trading restriction on the shares from grant date. The value of the equity remains subject to performance of the Company’s share price.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202066

4.2  Value change over time of the CEO’S and CFO’S Conditional Rights

Executive   
KMP

Mike Ferraro 
(CEO)

Grant Dempsey 
(CFO)

Year

2020

2019

Total

2020

2019

Number  
of rights

203,794

183,515

387,309

104,396

49,842

Total

154,238

Value of rights (A$)1

Granted during the year1,2

As at vesting date3

As at December 20204

472,800

420,250

893,050

242,200

118,125

360,325

–

373,962

418,414

418,414

–

79,000

79,000

–

373,962

191,567

–

191,567

1.   The number of Conditional Rights is determined by dividing the set value of $472,800 (2019: $420,250) by a VWAP of $2.32 (2019: $2.29), 
independently calculated by Mercer. Mr Ferraro’s remuneration package was revised in 2020, which resulted in increase of the total value of 
Conditional Rights grant by 12.5%.

2.   The number of Conditional Rights is determined by dividing the set value of $242,200 (2019: $236,250) by a VWAP of $2.32 (2019: $2.37), 

independently calculated by Mercer. Mr Dempsey’s FAR increased by 2.5% in 2020 therefore the total value of the initial Conditional Rights grant 
increased. 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 2020 is determined by the number of vested Rights multiplied by the market price at the date.

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4.3  Reconciliation of Performance Rights held by 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

Executive KMP

Mike Ferraro

2020

553,200

224,500

(221,886)

(118,014)

437,800

2019

339,900

213,300

Grant Dempsey

2020

–

50,500

–

–

–

–

553,200

50,500

–

–

–

437,800

553,200

50,500

Stephen Foster

2020

319,100

97,500

(60,000)

(47,750)

308,850

113,350

195,500

2019

393,159

98,000

(172,059)

–

319,100

125,600

193,500

Andrew Wood

2020

108,400

54,600

(26,750)

(26,750)

109,500

2019

120,000

54,900

(66,500)

Former Executive KMP

Galina Kraeva

2019

114,487

31,500

(86,687)

–

–

108,400

59,300

–

–

–

109,500

108,400

59,300

1.   2020 include Performance Rights granted on 20 January 2020 (2019: 21 January 2019) for the three-year performance test period concluding  

12 December 2022 (2019: 12 December 2021).

2.  Includes the number of Performance Rights granted that were subject to testing in 2020. 
3.   The terms of Performance Rights granted were not altered during 2020. 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.

4.   For all Executive KMP, the number of Performance Rights that vested in 2020 due to testing of Tranche 18. For the rights tested against the ASX 

Comparator Group, zero per cent vested and 100 per cent vested in relation to the International Comparator Group. The number of performance 
rights vested in 2020 to Mr Ferraro also includes 122,886 FY17 performance rights, prorated based on his start date of 1 June 2017.

5.   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 
of 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.
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.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202068

Year1

Value of Performance Rights (A$)

Granted during 
the year1

Exercised during
the year2

Lapsed during
the year2

Yet to be
exercised1

Minimum value
of grants
yet to vest3

Maximum value of
grant yet to vest1

Executive KMP

Mike Ferraro

2020

2019

Grant Dempsey

2020

Stephen Foster

Andrew Wood

2020

2019

2020

2019

Former Executive KMP

134,700

283,689

58,328

112,613

130,340

63,063

73,017

381,256

(176,251)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

96,600

(68,044)

135,612

468,000

–

129,368

49,060

(38,119)

156,940

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

418,389

828,354

58,328

242,953

266,428

136,080

149,255

81,510

Galina Kraeva

2019

41,895

202,578

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

Year1

Number of ordinary shares

Total as at 
1 January1

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

Executive KMP

Mike Ferraro

2020

359,432

221,886

2019

190,164

Grant Dempsey

2020

–

Stephen Foster

2020

970,293

2019

798,234

Andrew Wood

2020

355,533

2019

289,033

Former Executive KMP

–

–

60,000

172,059

26,750

66,500

Galina Kraeva

2019

25,770

86,687

183,515

169,268

49,842

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

764,833

359,432

49,842

54,404

– 1,084,697

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

970,293

382,283

355,533

112,457

1.   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.

2.   For 2020, includes 2018 vested Performance Rights that were tested in December 2020 and Rights vested in prior years, which were exercised during 

2020. For 2019, includes vested 2017 vested Performance Rights that were tested in December 2019 and exercised in 2019.

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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 period1

Termination payments2

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 and Andrew Wood

•  No fixed term.

•  An additional payment which is the greater of:

• 

• 

• 

 Six month notice from the Company, 
three month notice from Mr Dempsey 
and Mr Foster.

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

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

• 

 A payment equivalent to six months Base Remuneration; or

•  A payment comprising:

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

within employment contract),

-   severance payment of 2.5 weeks per complete year of service, 

pro-rated for completed months of service; and

-  nine weeks ex gratia payment.

1.   Former Executive KMP, Ms Kraeva agreement stipulates three months notice from the Company and three month notice from Ms Kraeva.  

All termination benefits are same as for other Executive KMP (except for CEO).

2.   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.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202070

4.6  Cessation of employment

Subject to Board discretion, where an executive ceases 
employment during the performance period any unvested 
incentives will be pro-rated to time and left-on foot to be 
tested in accordance with the original terms of the LTI.

4.7  Change of control

• 

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

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

In the event of a change in control, the Board may bring 
forward the testing date for the LTI performance conditions, 
or waive those conditions, and/or 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.

4.9  Share trading and hedge prohibition

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

 4.8 Clawback policy

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

• 

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

•  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 • 23 March 2021

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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 2020

About this report 

Group structure and AWAC performance 

1. 
2. 
3. 

Segment information 
Investment in associates 
Investments in controlled entities 

Financial and capital risk 

Financial assets and liabilities 
Financial risk management 

4. 
5. 
6.  Capital management 

Key numbers

Income tax expense 

7.  Expenses 
8. 
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

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 36, 2 Southbank Boulevard, 
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 22–40 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 23 March 2021.

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

Directors’ declaration 
Independent auditor’s review report to the  
members of Alumina Limited 

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020

72
73
74
75

76

77
78
82

83
85
89

90
91
94
96

97
98
99
100
100
100
102

104

105

106

  
72

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

Revenue from continuing operations

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

General and administrative expenses

Foreign exchange gains/(losses)

Finance costs

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year attributable to the owners of Alumina Limited

Other comprehensive (loss)/income

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 year attributable to the owners  
of Alumina Limited

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

Notes

2(c)

7(a)

7(b)

8

9(b)

US$ million

2020

0.1

164.6

(12.6)

0.2

(5.2)

147.1

(0.5)

146.6

2019

2.5

232.0

(12.1)

(1.0)

(7.3)

214.1

(0.1)

214.0

(11.5)

(14.7)

1.8

(33.2)

(7.5)

(3.4)

(33.7)

112.9

(34.8)

179.2

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

9(a)

9(a)

5.1¢

5.1¢

7.4¢

7.4¢

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

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Consolidated balance sheet

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Other assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Investment in associates

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Payables

Provisions

Tax payable

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

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

US$ million

Notes

2020

2019

4(a)

2(c)

4(b)

9(a)

9(a)

10.4

1.8

12.2

1,784.5

1,784.5

1,796.7

0.7

0.6

0.1

1.4

60.0

0.7

60.7

62.1

15.2

1.8

17.0

1,836.8

1,836.8

1,853.8

0.9

0.3

–

1.2

70.0

0.5

70.5

71.7

1,734.6

1,782.1

2,706.7

(0.8)

2,682.9

(0.8)

(1,310.0)

(1,283.9)

338.7

1,734.6

383.9

1,782.1

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202074

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Notes

Contributed and
other equity1

US$ million

Reserves

Balance as at 1 January 2019

Profit for the year

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)

–

–

–

0.4

–

–

(31.4)

–

–

(0.5)

Retained 
earnings

706.1

214.0

(3.4)

Total

2,135.8

214.0

(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

Balance as at 1 January 2020

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive loss for the period

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Dividends paid

Movement in share capital

Movement in treasury shares

9(a)

Movement in share-based payments reserve

2,682.1

(1,283.9)

–

–

–

23.8

–

–

–

(26.2)

–

–

–

0.1

383.9

146.6

(7.5)

1,782.1

146.6

(33.7)

(184.3)

(184.3)

–

–

–

23.8

–

0.1

Balance as at 31 December 2020

2,705.9

(1,310.0)

338.7

1,734.6

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.

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Consolidated statement of cash flows

Cash flows from operating activities

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

GST refund received

Dividends received from associates

Finance costs paid

Interest paid under cross currency interest rate swap

Interest received under cross currency interest rate swap

Tax paid

Other

US$ million

Notes

2020

2019

(12.3)

0.5

171.4

(4.9)

–

–

(0.4)

0.1

(11.9)

0.5

381.7

(8.3)

(3.3)

3.3

–

2.6

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

10(a)

154.4

364.6

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

Net payments related to cross currency interest rate swap

Payments for shares acquired by the Alumina Employee Share Plan

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.

(24.5)

35.8

11.3

197.0

(207.0)

–

(0.9)

(160.5)

(171.4)

(5.7)

15.2

0.9

10.4

(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

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202076

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020

About this report 

Alumina Limited is a for profit company limited by shares 
incorporated and domiciled in Australia whose shares are 
publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange. The 
consolidated financial report of the Group for the year ended 
31 December 2020 was authorised for issue in accordance 
with a resolution of the Directors on 23 March 2021.

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 2020.

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

• 

 presents reclassified comparative information  
where required for consistency with the current  
year’s presentation.

The notes to the financial statements

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

• 

• 

• 

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

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

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• 

• 

 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 
22–40 of the Annual Report.

The equity interest in AWAC is represented by investments 
in a number of entities in different geographical locations.  
The total assets other than investments in associates and 
total liabilities are broken down by location.

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.

Foreign currency translation

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

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

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

• 

• 

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

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

Alumina Limited Annual Report 202078

About this report continued

Year ended 31 December 2020

Australia

Investments in associates

Other assets

Liabilities

Consolidated net assets

1,188.0

11.6

(61.9)

1,137.7

Year ended 31 December 2019

Australia

Investments in associates

Other assets

Liabilities

Consolidated net assets

1,118.1

7.3

(71.7)

1,053.7

Brazil

448.0

0.3

–

US$ million

Spain

133.5

–

–

448.3

133.5

Brazil

570.6

9.5

–

US$ million

Spain

114.0

–

–

580.1

114.0

Other

15.0

0.3

(0.2)

15.1

Other

34.1

0.2

–

34.3

Total

1,784.5

12.2

(62.1)

1,734.6

Total

1,836.8

17.0

(71.7)

1,782.1

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

2020

2019

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 
issues 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.

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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 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.

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 considerations reviewed as a part of impairment 
indicators assessment are the 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.

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, therefore 
there was no requirement to prepare a full impairment 
analysis and no impairment loss was recognised in the 
years ended 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202080

2. 

Investment in associates continued

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

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

US$ million

2020

1,349.4

5,305.6

2019

1,355.4

5,191.7

(1,184.7)

(1,072.9)

(1,613.9)

(1,490.9)

3,856.4

3,983.3

40%

40%

1,542.6

1,593.4

175.8

98.5

(32.4)

175.8

100.6

(33.0)

1,784.5

1,836.8

1,836.8

2,060.2

(11.3)

164.6

(34.2)

(39.3)

232.0

(34.4)

(171.4)

(381.7)

1,784.5

1,836.8

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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

Share of net profit of associates accounted for using equity method

2020

4,329.5

415.3

415.3

(85.6)

329.7

40%

166.1

(2.1)

0.6

164.6

2019

5,215.8

583.8

583.8

(84.2)

499.6

40%

233.5

(2.1)

0.6

232.0

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 
entity or asset with which the liability is associated.

As previously reported, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) 
has undertaken a transfer pricing examination in respect of 
certain historical third-party alumina sales made by Alcoa 
of Australia Limited (AoA) over a 20-year period. As a result 
of that examination, the ATO had issued a statement of 

audit position (SOAP) to AoA. The SOAP was the subject of 
an internal review process within the ATO. The ATO completed 
that process, and on 7 July 2020 issued AoA with Notices 
of Assessment (the Notices) in respect of this matter. The 
Notices assert claims for additional income tax payable  
by AoA of approximately A$214 million.

The Notices also include claims for compounded interest 
on the primary tax amount totalling approximately  
A$707 million. AoA has made submissions to the ATO  
that the interest amount should be remitted (i.e. should  
not be fully payable).

In accordance with the ATO’s dispute resolution practices, 
on 30 July 2020, AoA paid 50% of the assessed primary 
income tax amount (exclusive of interest and any penalties), 
being approximately A$107 million, out of cash flows. In 
exchange, the ATO will not seek further payment prior to 
final resolution of the matter.

AoA’s obligation to make any further payment of this 
primary tax amount, or payment of any penalty or interest 
amount advised by the ATO, will be determined through 
the objection and court processes available to AoA. If AoA 
is ultimately fully successful, the 50% part-payment to the 
ATO would be refunded. Further interest on the unpaid 
amounts will continue to accrue during the dispute.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202082

2. 

Investment in associates continued

The ATO has issued to AoA its preliminary position on  
the penalties the ATO proposes to impose in relation  
to the AoA amended assessments. The ATO proposes 
penalties of approximately A$128 million. AoA has made 
submissions to the ATO that no penalties and interest 
charges should be payable in respect of this matter.

The Company understands that AoA will defend its 
position in respect of the ATO’s Notices and any  
penalties imposed, and pursue all available dispute 
resolution methods, up to and including the filing  
of court proceedings.

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, mostly 
before 2021, was $98.1 million at December 31, 2020. 

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 2021 and 2024, was $5.7 million at 
December 31, 2020.

3. 

Investments in controlled entities

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Alumina Limited as  
at 31 December 2020 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 2020 are set out below.

Name

Notes

Place of incorporation

Percentage ownership

Alumina Employee Share Plan Pty Ltd

Alumina Finance Pty Ltd.

Alumina Holdings (USA) Inc.

Alumina International Holdings Pty. Ltd.

Alumina Brazil Holdings Pty Ltd

Alumina Limited Do Brasil SA

Alumina (U.S.A.) Inc.

Butia Participaçoes SA

Westminer Acquisition (U.K.) Limited

A

A

B

C

A

D

B

D

D

VIC, Australia

VIC, Australia

Delaware, USA

VIC, Australia

VIC, Australia

Brazil

Delaware, USA

Brazil

UK

2020

2019

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.

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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.

2020

Cash and cash equivalents – Note 4(a)

Total financial assets

Payables

Borrowings – Note 4 (b)

Total financial liabilities

Net financial (liabilities)/assets

2019

Cash and cash equivalents – Note 4(a)

Total financial assets

Payables

Borrowings – Note 4 (b)

Total financial liabilities

Net financial (liabilities)/assets

At fair value through 
profit or loss

At amortised 
cost

Total

US$ million

–

–

–

–

–

–

US$ million

–

–

–

–

–

–

10.4

10.4

(0.7)

(60.0)

(60.7)

(50.3)

15.2

15.2

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(55.7)

10.4

10.4

(0.7)

(60.0)

(60.7)

(50.3)

15.2

15.2

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(55.7)

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.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202084

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

2020

9.1

1.3

10.4

2019

15.2

–

15.2

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

Total borrowings

US$ million

2020

60.0

60.0

2019

70.0

70.0

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 2020 there was  
US$60 million drawn against the syndicated facility so the undrawn available facility amount as at 31 December 2020  
was $290 million.

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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 
and sensitivity analysis

Cross-currency interest  
rate swaps

Market risk: 
interest rate

Credit risk

Long-term borrowings at fixed rates

Sensitivity analysis

Cross-currency interest  
rate swaps

Cash and cash equivalents, and derivative 
financial instruments

Credit ratings

Credit limits, letters of credit, 
approved counterparties list

Liquidity risk

Borrowings and other liabilities

Cash flow forecasting

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.

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. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202086

5.  Financial risk management continued

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

2020

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)

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)

USD

AUD

Other

Total

US$ million

9.8

9.8

–

–

–

9.8

–

9.8

5.7

5.7

–

–

–

5.7

–

5.7

0.5

0.5

(0.7)

(60.0)

(60.7)

(60.2)

–

(60.2)

US$ million

1.1

1.1

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(69.8)

–

(69.8)

0.1

0.1

–

–

–

0.1

–

0.1

8.4

8.4

–

–

–

8.4

–

8.4

10.4

10.4

(0.7)

(60.0)

(60.7)

(50.3)

–

(50.3)

15.2

15.2

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(55.7)

–

(55.7)

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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:

2020

Cash and cash equivalents

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial (liabilities)/assets

Weighted average interest rate before derivatives

Weighted average interest rate after derivatives

2019

Cash and cash equivalents

Total non-derivative financial assets

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

Net non-derivative financial (liabilities)/assets

Weighted average interest rate before derivatives

Weighted average interest rate after derivatives

Floating 
interest

Fixed 
interest

Non-interest 
bearing

Total

US$ million

9.1

9.1

–

–

–

9.1

2.6%

2.6%

15.2

15.2

–

–

–

15.2

3.7%

3.7%

–

–

(0.7)

–

(0.7)

(0.7)

–

–

–

–

(0.9)

–

(0.9)

(0.9)

1.3

1.3

–

(60.0)

(60.0)

(58.7)

–

–

US$ million

–

–

–

(70.0)

(70.0)

(70.0)

5.5%

4.4%

10.4

10.4

(0.7)

(60.0)

(60.7)

(50.3)

–

–

15.2

15.2

(0.9)

(70.0)

(70.9)

(55.7)

Had interest rates on floating rate debt during 2020 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$1.0 million lower/higher (2019: US$0.8 million 
lower/higher).

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202088

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:

Expiring within one year

Expiring beyond one year

Total undrawn borrowing facilities

US$ million

2020

–

290.0

290.0

2019

–

280.0

280.0

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

Less than 6 months

6-12 months

1-2 years

2-5 years

Total

2020

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

2019

Payables

Borrowings

Total non-derivative financial liabilities

0.7

–

0.7

0.9

–

0.9

US$ million

–

–

–

US$ million

–

–

–

–

60.0

60.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

70.0

70.0

0.7

60.0

60.7

0.9

70.0

70.9

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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 2020 and 31 December 2019 were as follows:

Total borrowings

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

Total borrowings

Total equity

Total capital

Gearing ratio 

b)  Dividends

Interim dividend of US2.8 cents fully franked at 30% per fully paid share declared  
25 August 2020 and paid on 25 September 2020 (2019: US4.4 cents fully franked at  
30% per fully paid share declared 23 August 2019 and paid on 12 September 2019)

Final dividend of US3.6 cents fully franked at 30% per fully paid share declared  
25 February 2020 and paid on 17 March 2020 (2019: US14.1 cents fully franked  
at 30% per fully paid share declared 21 February 2019 and paid on 14 March 2019)

Total dividends

US$ million

2020

60.0

(10.4)

49.6

60.0

1,734.6

1,794.6

2.8%

2019

70.0

(15.2)

54.8

70.0

1,782.1

1,852.1

3.0%

US$ million

2020

80.6

2019

126.7

103.7

406.1

184.3

532.8

Since the year-end the Directors have recommended the payment of a final dividend of US2.9 cents per share 
(2019: US3.6 cents per share), fully franked based on the tax paid at 30%. The record date to determine entitlements 
to the dividend is 1 March 2021. The aggregate amount of the proposed dividend expected to be paid on 16 March 2021 
out of retained earnings at 31 December 2020, but not recognised as a liability at the year-end, is $84.1 million.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202090

6.  Capital management continued

c)  Franked dividends

Franking credits available for subsequent financial years, based on a tax rate of 30% (2019: 30%)

A$ million

2020

376.6

2019

383.5

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

Fully franked dividends received from AWAC in the financial year 

Key numbers

7.  Expenses

a)  Employee benefits expense 

US$ million

2020

171.4

2019

381.7

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

US$ million

2020

2019

0.2

5.6

5.8

0.2

5.0

5.2

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b)  Finance costs 

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

Finance costs:

Interest expense

Commitment and upfront fees

Amortisation of capitalised upfront fees

Total finance costs

8.   Income tax expense

a) 

Income tax expense and deferred taxes

US$ million

2020

2019

2.9

2.0

0.3

5.2

4.6

2.3

0.4

7.3

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 changes 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. 

Current tax

Deferred tax

Aggregate income tax expense

US$ million

2020

(0.5)

–

(0.5)

2019

(0.1)

–

(0.1)

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202092

8.   Income tax expense continued

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

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

2020

2019

(0.1)

(0.1)

0.7

0.6

1.3

1.2

(1.2)

–

–

–

0.5

0.4

0.9

0.9

(0.9)

–

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.

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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%

US$ million

2020

147.1

(44.1)

2019

214.1

(64.2)

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

Share of equity accounted profit not assessable for tax

(164.6)

(232.0)

Foreign income subject to accruals 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

Tax effect of the above adjustments at 30% (2019:30%)

Under provision of tax in prior years

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

Aggregate income tax expense

c)  Tax expense relating to items of comprehensive income

7.6

–

9.8

0.6

–

(146.6)

43.9

(0.3)

43.6

(0.5)

4.9

5.8

9.4

1.0

(3.2)

(214.1)

64.2

(0.1)

64.1

(0.1)

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

US$ million

2020

(4.9)

(3.3)

(8.2)

2019

0.8

(2.1)

(1.3)

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202094

8.   Income tax expense continued

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

9.  Equity

a)  Contributed equity

US$ million

2020

1,187.3

1,109.3

2,296.6

285.3

332.8

618.1

2019

1,204.0

944.7

2,148.7

290.9

283.4

574.3

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

Movement for the year1

Total issued capital

2020

2019

2,879,843,498

2,879,843,498

21,837,919

–

2,901,681,417

2,879,843,498

2020

2,682.9

23.8

2,706.7

2019

2,682.9

–

2,682.9

1. Movement for the year represents shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

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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$

Balance brought forward

Shares acquired by Alumina Employee Share 
Plan Pty Ltd (average price: A$1.53 per share 
(2019: A$2.55 per share))

Employee performance rights vested

Total treasury shares

2020

435,368

944,500

2019

689,267

484,500

2020

786,253

928,073

2019

1,247,997

874,248

(591,166)

788,702

(738,399)

435,368

(933,146)

(1,335,992)

781,180

786,253

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.

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

Number of shares

2020

2019

2,884,845,133

2,879,143,308

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

2020

2019

(1,355.0)

(1,321.8)

(14.7)

(33.2)

(1,369.7)

(1,355.0)

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202096

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 payables

(Decrease)/increase in other liabilities

(Decrease)/increase in provisions

Decrease/(increase) in other assets

US$ million

2020

146.6

(164.6)

171.4

1.0

(0.4)

154.0

(0.1)

–

0.5

–

2019

214.0

(232.0)

381.7

0.8

1.4

365.9

(0.3)

(0.4)

0.1

(0.7)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

154.4

364.6

b)  Non-cash financing and investing activities 

In September 2020, 21,837,919 shares in Alumina Limited, valued at $23.8 million were issued to shareholders,  
who elected to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan which was applicable to the interim dividend for 2020.

c)  Net debt reconciliation

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

Cash and cash equivalents

Borrowings – repayable after one year

Net debt

Cash and liquid investments

Gross debt – fixed interest rates

Net debt

US$ million

2020

10.4

(60.0)

(49.6)

10.4

(60.0)

(49.6)

2019

15.2

(70.0)

(54.8)

15.2

(70.0)

(54.8)

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US$ million

Cash/bank 
overdraft

Borrowings due 
within 1 year

Borrowings due 
after 1 year

Total

183.8

(167.8)

(0.8)

–

15.2

(5.7)

0.9

–

10.4

(88.0)

86.3

–

1.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

95.8

(70.0)

(151.5)

–

–

(70.0)

10.0

–

–

(0.8)

1.7

(54.8)

4.3

0.9

–

(60.0)

(49.6)

Net debt as at 1 January 2019

Cash flows

Foreign exchange adjustments

Other non-cash movements

Net debt as at 31 December 2019

Cash flows

Foreign exchange adjustments

Other non-cash movement

Net debt as at 31 December 2020

Additional disclosure

11.  Related party transactions

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

a)  Ownership interests in related parties

Interests held in the following classes of related parties are set out in the following notes:
•  associates – Note 2.
•  controlled entities – Note 3.

b)  Compensation of key management personnel

Detailed remuneration disclosures for the key management personnel, defined as Group Directors, CEO and  
Senior Executives, are provided in the remuneration report on pages 44 to 70 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 2020 of 0.6908 (2019: 0.6952) 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 

2020

3,421

125

875

4,421

2019

3,229

121

681

4,031

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 202098

11.  Related party transactions continued

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 
2020, between the Group, its related parties, the Directors or key management personnel (2019: Nil).

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 44 to 70 of this annual report.

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

2020

Grant date

Expiry date

Balance at 
start of  
the year 
number

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 number

Yet to vest 
at the end 
of the year
number

1/6/2017

31/5/2020

141,900

18/1/2018

4/12/2020

467,408

21/1/2019

12/12/2021

454,300

–

–

–

20/1/2020

12/12/2022

–

549,800

(122,886)

(19,014)

(233,705)

(233,703)

–

–

–

58,782

–

–

–

–

–

–

454,300

549,800

–

–

454,300

549,800

Total

2019

1,063,608

549,800

(356,591)

(252,717) 1,004,100

58,782

1,004,100

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

(454,480)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

125,600

–

141,900

467,408

454,300

–

–

–

141,900

467,408

454,300

Total

1,063,788

454,300

(454,480)

– 1,063,608

125,600

1,063,608

The weighted average remaining contractual life of performance rights outstanding at the end of the period was 1.5 years 
(2019: 1.3 years).

In addition to the ESP, the CEO’s and CFO’s remuneration includes an annual 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 47 of this Annual Report.

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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

13.  Remuneration of auditors

US$ 000’s

2020

466

326

208

1,000

2019

500

292

41

833

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

2020

2019

393

3

20

16

432

380

3

29

13

425

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.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020100

14.  Commitments and contingencies

Capital commitments

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

Contingent liabilities

There are no contingent liabilities of the Group as at 
31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019, other than  
as disclosed in Note 2(d) and Note 16(c).

15.  Events occurring after the reporting period

Except as disclosed in the Director’s report or elsewhere  
in the Financial Statements, there have been no significant 
events occurring since 31 December 2020.

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

16.  Parent entity financial information

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

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.

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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.

US$ million

2020

2019

11.6

3,762.8

1.2

67.8

7.3

3,779.0

1.2

77.5

2,706.7

2,682.9

236.4

751.9

236.3

782.3

3,695.0

3,701.5

153.9

153.9

363.9

363.9

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.

Alumina, 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 27th 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.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020102

16.  Parent entity financial information continued

c) 

 Contingent liabilities of the parent entity

The parent entity did not have any contingent liabilities as at 31 December 2020 or 31 December 2019. 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 2020.

17.  Deed of cross guarantee

Alumina Limited and Alumina International Holdings Pty. Ltd. are parties to a cross guarantee under which each of these 
companies guarantees the debts of the other. By entering into the deed, wholly-owned entities have been relieved from 
the requirement to prepare a financial report and directors’ report under Class Order 2016/785 (as amended) issued by 
the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
The above companies represent a “closed group” as defined in the Class Order, and there are no other parties to the 
deed of cross guarantee that are controlled by Alumina Limited, they also represent the “extended closed group”.

a) 

 Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and summary movements 
in consolidated retained earnings

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

Dividends and distributions

Other income

General and administrative expenses

Foreign exchange gains/(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

US$ million

2020

171.4

0.1

(12.5)

0.2

(5.3)

153.9

–

153.9

–

153.9

649.6

153.9

(184.3)

619.2

2019

381.7

2.4

(11.7)

(1.0)

(7.5)

363.9

–

363.9

–

363.9

818.5

363.9

(532.8)

649.6

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b)  Consolidated balance sheet

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

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

US$ million

2020

2019

10.2

252.7

1.3

264.2

1,631.4

1,734.5

3,365.9

3,630.1

0.6

0.6

1.2

65.9

0.7

66.6

67.8

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

3,562.3

3,568.7

2,706.5

2,682.9

236.6

619.2

236.2

649.6

3,562.3

3,568.7

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020104

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 the annual reporting period 
commencing 1 January 2020:

•  AASB 2018-7 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Definition of Material [AASB 101 and AASB 108]

•  AASB 2018-6 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Definition of a Business [AASB 3]

• 

• 

• 

 AASB 2019-3 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Interest Rate Benchmark Reform  
[AASB 9, AASB 139 and AASB 7]

 AASB 2019-5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Disclosure of the Effect of New IFRS  
Standards not yet issued in Australia [AASB 1054]

 Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting and AASB 2019-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting  
Standards – References to the Conceptual Framework.

The group also elected to adopt the following amendments early:

• 

 AASB 2020-3 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Annual Improvements 2018-2020 and Other 
Amendments [AASB 1, AASB 9, AASB 116, AASB 137 and AASB 141].

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 2020 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. 

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Directors’ declaration

In the Directors’ opinion:

a)   the financial statements and notes set out on pages 71–104 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 2020 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 Corporations Act 2001.

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

W Peter Day • Chairman • 23 March 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020 
 
106

INDEPENDENT 
AUDITOR’S REPORT

To the members of Alumina Limited

Report on the audit of the financial report

Our opinion

In our opinion:

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

 giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 31 December 2020 and of its financial performance 
for the year then ended 

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

What we have audited

The Group financial report comprises:
•  the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2020;
•   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 significant accounting policies and other  

explanatory information; 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 & 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: 613 8603 1000  F: 61 3 8603 1999 | www.pwc.com.au
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

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Our audit approach

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

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

Alumina Limited’s (Alumina) sole business undertaking is investing globally in bauxite mining 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 in an 
associate and is accounted for under the equity method.

Key audit 
matters

Audit 
Scope

Materiality

Materiality

Audit Scope

•   For the purpose of our audit we used overall 
Group materiality of $19.4 million, which 
represents approximately 5% of the Group’s 
three-year average profit before tax, adjusted  
for one-off and other infrequent items (referred 
to in the annual report as “significant items”). 

•   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 three-year average profit 

before tax, adjusted for one-off items and other 
infrequent items 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 
two component audit teams, which performed an audit of the 
financial information of Alcoa of Australia and AWAC respectively. 
•   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 inspected 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 Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 
(US GAAP)), to comply with Australian Accounting Standards (AAS). 

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

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020108

Key audit matters

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

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 $165 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, defined 
pension plans, and the reversal of fixed asset uplifts 
included in Alcoa World Alumina Brasil Ltda. 

• 

• 

• 

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 by reference to AAS.
 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:
 Tested material US GAAP to AAS adjustments by  
agreeing the adjustments to supporting schedules  
and documentation, considering the appropriateness  
of any judgements made; and
 Considered whether all material transactions during  
the year that required a different treatment under AAS 
compared with US GAAP had been adjusted for. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 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 the 
Group and recalculating Alumina’s 40% share; and
 Compared dividends, distributions and capital returns 
received from AWAC and additional investments made 
through cash calls to the relevant declaration documents 
and bank statements.

• 

• 

 Considered the reasonableness of the disclosures made in 
the financial report against the requirements of Australian 
Accounting Standards.

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Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

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

(Refer to note 2)

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

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

Alumina’s conclusion was that there was no indicator 
of impairment for the year ended 31 December 2020.

We considered the impairment indicator 
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, exchange rates, energy 
prices and other input prices.

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

• 

• 

 Developed an understanding of the process by which the 
Group conducted the impairment indicator assessment  
and whether it was appropriate under AAS.
 Performed an independent assessment of indicators of 
impairment by:

• 

• 

• 

 Considering future alumina and aluminium prices, 
exchange rates, energy prices and other input prices 
published by external economic and industry analysts; 
 Comparing the Group’s market capitalisation to its  
net assets at 31 December 2020, noting that market 
capitalisation exceeded net assets by approximately  
$2.4 billion; and
 Evaluating 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.

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 2020, 
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.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020110

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: https://www.
auasb.gov.au/admin/file/content102/c3/ar1_2020.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 44 to 70 of the Directors’ Report for the year ended 
31 December 2020.

In our opinion, the remuneration report of Alumina Limited 
for the year ended 31 December 2020 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 • 23 March 2021

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Details of shareholdings and shareholders

Listed securities – 25 February 2021

Alumina Limited has 2,901,681,417 issued fully paid ordinary shares. 

Range of units as of 25/02/2021

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

20,384

22,115

7,622

8,661

410

9,559,586

56,347,900

57,637,316

219,021,370

2,559,115,245

59,192

2,901,681,417

0.33

1.94

1.99

7.55

88.19

0.00 
100.00

Of these, 6,903 shareholders held less than a marketable parcel of $500 worth of shares (293) a total of 1,103,707 shares. 
In accordance with ASX Business Rules, the last sale price on the Company’s shares on the ASX on 25 February 2021 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

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

BESTBUY OVERSEAS CO LTD

BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 

CITIC RESOURCES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

10

BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 

793,372,691

406,718,099

322,915,527

219,617,657

154,114,590

140,342,527

76,145,410

60,907,186

59,282,343

56,471,203

27.34

14.02

11.13

7.57

5.31

4.84

2.62

2.10

2.04

1.95

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020112

Details of shareholdings and shareholders continued

Rank

Name

Units % Units

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

CITIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 

WOODROSS NOMINEES PTY LTD

ARGO INVESTMENTS LIMITED 

CS THIRD NOMINEES PTY LIMITED  

MR KENNETH JOSEPH HALL 

UBS NOMINEES PTY LTD

39,799,208

27,154,017

16,118,582

12,429,285

10,381,209

10,000,000

7,894,979

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 

6,428,771

BNP PARIBAS NOMS (NZ) LT

AUSTRALIAN UNITED INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED

5,848,498

5,500,000

1.37

0.94

0.56

0.43

0.36

0.34

0.27

0.22

0.20

0.19

Totals: Top 20 holders of ORDINARY FULLY PAID SHARES (Total)

Total remaining holders balance

2,431,441,782

470,239,635

83.79

16.21

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, 944,500 Alumina Limited fully paid ordinary shares were purchased on market  
by the Alumina Employee Share Plan at an average price of $1.5233.

Substantial shareholding as at 25 February 2021 

Shareholding 

CITIC Resources Australia Pty. Ltd. 

Allan Gray Australia Pty. Ltd. 

547,459,208 

288,665,312 

Schroder Investment Management Australia Limited 

178,390,106 

%

19.01

10.02

6.19

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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

US$ million

2020

2019

2018

2017

0.1 

2.5 

1.6 

0.6 

164.6 

232.0 

653.5 

360.4 

Other income

 –

–

–

–

General and administrative expenses

(12.6)

(12.1)

(11.6)

(13.6)

Change in fair value of derivatives/foreign exchange losses

Finance costs

Income tax (expense)/benefit from continuing operations

0.2 

(5.2)

(0.5)

(1.0)

(7.3)

(0.1)

(1.4)

(6.7)

–

0.7 

(8.3)

–

2016

0.6 

18.1 

–

(25.7)

(14.1)

(9.1)

–

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

146.6 

214.0 

635.4 

339.8 

(30.2)

Total assets

Total liabilities

Net assets

Shareholders’ funds

Dividends paid

Dividends received from AWAC

Statistics

1,796.7 

1,853.8 

2,245.1 

2,342.9 

2,117.8 

62.1 

71.7 

109.3 

109.9 

110.9 

1,734.6 

1,782.1 

2,135.8 

2,234.0 

2,006.9 

1,734.6 

1,782.1 

2,135.8 

2,234.0 

2,006.9 

184.32 

171.4 

532.8 

381.7 

515.5 

657.2 

210.2 

278.1 

135.3 

150.2 

Dividends declared per ordinary share

US5.7c

US8.0c

US22.7c

US13.5c

US6.0c

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 (including franking credits)

Total shareholder return (excluding franking credits)

125.7%

249.0%

8.9%

2.8%

$0.51

5.1

1.835

100%

(14.2%)

(16.0%)

11.0%

3.0%

$0.53

7.4

2.30

100%

15.5%

10.8%

81.0%

30.3%

(4.3%)

$0.66

22.1

2.30

100%

7.7%

3.8%

62.0%

15.8%

2.5%

$0.69

11.8

2.43

100%

41.8%

39.1%

–

(1.5%)

4.0%

$0.61

(1.0)

1.83

100%

69.2%

66.0%

1.  Based on net profit/(loss) attributable to owners of Alumina Limited.
2.   Final dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2020, declared and paid in 2020 and interim dividend for the year ended  

31 December 2020, declared and paid in 2020.

Alumina Limited Annual Report 2020114

Alumina Limited

ABN 85 004 820 419 
Registered Corporate Head Office  
and Postal Address 
Level 36, 2 Southbank Boulevard 
Southbank Victoria 3006 Australia

Telephone +61 (0)3 8699 2600 
Facsimile +61 (0)3 8699 2699 
Website 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

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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 2020. 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.