Graduate Careers

Queensland Alumina Ltd (QAL) is one of the world’s largest alumina refineries, producing some 3.95 million tonnes of the world’s best smelter grade alumina per year and is owned by a consortium of two international companies including Rio Tinto Alcan, and Rusal.

The Graduate Development Program at QAL is designed to assist graduates to move from university into a dynamic working environment and is part of a long-term strategy to bolster skilled
workforce numbers in the refinery and the local region.

The program is an excellent initiative designed to ease graduates into real life operational environments and is tailored to suit each specific department and the future roles of the graduates. Experienced staff provide mentoring throughout the program and are very accessible.

Our operations

QAL commenced operations in March 1967 with a production rate of 600,000 tonnes of alumina per year. Today, QAL remains one of the world’s largest alumina refineries, producing some 3.95 million tonnes of the world’s best smelter grade alumina per year. 

Estimated replacement value of QAL is approximately US$4 billion. The refinery covers 80 hectares of a 400-hectare site on the southeast outskirts of the city of Gladstone, Queensland. Adjacent to the plant is a wharf and storage facility on South Trees Island, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway bridge.

Our process

QAL’s bauxite supplies are mined at Weipa in far north Queensland. The bauxite is loaded onto specially designed, and QAL chartered, coal-fired ships that transport the bauxite around Cape York and 2,000 km down to Gladstone. Alumina is produced at QAL through the continuous four stage “Bayer Process” involving:

• Digestion – dissolving bauxite’s alumina content
• Clarification – settling out undissolved impurities
• Precipitation – forming alumina crystals
• Calcination – high-temperature drying of alumina

Our vision

QAL will be recognised as the best producer of alumina in the world

• The best to work for
• The best corporate citizen
• The supplier of choice
• The best to own
• The best to supply

Our basic strengths will be the initiative, innovation and teamwork of our workforce, together with our ability to anticipate and effectively respond to change, and our commitment to continuous improvement across all facets of our business activity.

Our people

QAL operates with an average workforce of 1,100 employees, and some 400 plus contractors, involving a wide variety of operative, technical, trade and administrative skills. About half the workforce work shift to maintain round-the-clock operations.

Employment at QAL is merit-based and we encourage the best person for the job regardless of their background or personal beliefs, age, gender, disability or family responsibilities. Work ethics and values support a common desire to create a working environment where all people are treated with dignity and respect.
 

FURTHER INFORMATION 

Email: recruitment@qal.com.au

Web: www.qal.com.au