Rio threatens smelter closure in Iceland

Mining major Rio Tinto has submitted a formal complaint to the Icelandic Competition Authority (ICA) alleging abuse of market dominance by local energy supplier Landsvirkjun, to Rio’s ISAL aluminium smelter in Iceland.

Rio is asking the ICA to address anti-competitive conduct by Landsvirkjun through discriminatory pricing and long-duration power contracts, so that the ISAL smelter and other Icelandic manufacturing and businesses are able to compete internationally.