RTA's du Plessis says Alcan purchase was "badly timed"

The company's new CEO, Sam Walsh, who took over from Tom Albanese, said the company was reviewing a number of potential non-core assets for divestment in addition to Pacific Aluminium.

RTA announced its first ever net loss of just under US$3 billion in February – and an accusatory finger was pointed at the Alcan purchase, which ultimately led to the departure of Tom Albanese.

In future, said Walsh, the company would only invest in projects that delivered returns 'well above our cost of capital'.

RTA chairman Jan du Plessis said the Alcan purchase was badly timed and that it had a 'significant negative impact on shareholder value'.