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| Year | Emissions | Baseline | Gap | ACCUs | SMCs | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24–25 | 352 kt | 353 kt | -2 kt | — | — | Under baseline |
Bell Bay Smelter is a aluminium & non-ferrous metals facility operated by RIO TINTO ALUMINIUM (BELL BAY) LIMITED in TAS. Like all covered facilities, aluminium smelting and refining is one of Australia's most electricity-intensive industries. Under Australia's Safeguard Mechanism, Bell Bay Smelter must keep its annual emissions below a stepping-down baseline — or purchase carbon credits to cover any overage.
In 2023–24, Bell Bay Smelter came in under its baseline — reporting emissions of 352 kt against an obligation of 353 kt, a surplus of 2 kt. Facilities that come in under baseline can generate Safeguard Mechanism Credits (SMCs), which can be sold to facilities that need to cover an overage. Bell Bay Smelter generated 1,770 SMCs in 2023–24.
Across the aluminium & non-ferrous metals sector, 7 of 8 covered facilities reported emissions above their baseline in 2023–24. The table below compares Bell Bay Smelter with other aluminium & non-ferrous metals facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism.
| Facility | Operator | State | Emissions | vs Baseline | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland Alumina Limited Refinery | QUEENSLAND ALUMINA LIMITED | QLD | 3.09 Mt | +324 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Rio Tinto Yarwun | RTA Yarwun Pty Ltd | QLD | 2.11 Mt | +171 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Kwinana Alumina Refinery | Alcoa of Australia Limited | WA | 915 kt | +91 kt | ACCU + SMC |
| Portland Aluminium Smelter | Alcoa Portland Aluminium Proprietary Limited | VIC | 621 kt | +71 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Wagerup Alumina Refinery | Alcoa of Australia Limited | WA | 1.34 Mt | +64 kt | ACCU + SMC |
| Tomago Aluminium Smelter | TOMAGO ALUMINIUM COMPANY PTY LTD | NSW | 1.16 Mt | +57 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Gove Operations | RTA GOVE PTY LIMITED | NT | 134 kt | +19 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Nyrstar Port Pirie Facility | Nyrstar Port Pirie Pty Ltd | SA | 442 kt | 0 t | Under baseline |