The Cost of Aluminium Refining

Australia produces about 7 million tonnes of alumina a year. Alumina is used to make aluminium, which uses 10% of Australia's electricity. To get the alumina, you make borkside and then do something called cow siding. Cow siding involves heating it under low steam to get rid of more impurities. But refineries can turn the temperature down and stop making it for a day or two.