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Rio declares force majeure over Rusal links

Faced with the United States Treasury's ban on business with Rusal major shareholder Oleg Deripaska, Rio Tinto has declared force majeure.

Staff reporter
One-fifth sanctioned: Rio could run into trouble in the US if it doesn't get Rusal out of its 20%-ownership of Queensland Alumina

One-fifth sanctioned: Rio could run into trouble in the US if it doesn't get Rusal out of its 20%-ownership of Queensland Alumina

The major miner said in a statement on Friday it had reviewed its links to Rusal, principally through its 20% holding of the Queensland Alumina refinery, and would have to break some supply contracts. 

"As a result of the imposition of these sanctions, Rio Tinto is in the process of declaring force majeure on certain contracts and is working with its customers to minimise any disruption in supplies," the company said. 

Rio also said it sold bauxite to Rusal's refinery in Ireland and bought alumina for its own refineries in France and Iceland. 

The US sanctions on Deripaska were punishment for Russia's recent actions on the world stage, as he is considered close to the Kremlin. 

The announcement came after the ASX had closed and half an hour from the bell in London. 

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