SYDNEY — Resource giants Glencore, Rio Tinto and Trafigura-owned Nyrstar are seeking potentially billions in government aid for Australian metal smelting and processing operations under threat from rising power costs and Chinese competition.
Glencore’s copper smelter and refinery in Queensland, Rio Tinto’s jointly owned Tomago aluminum smelter in New South Wales, and Nyrstar’s zinc smelter in Tasmania and multi-metal plant in South Australia face significant challenges, according to the companies, who are negotiating with state and federal authorities.
