aluminum

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chalco) has masterminded its way into mixing alumina and aluminum. Chalco is the only maker of alumina -- which is refined from bauxite and a key material in producing aluminum -- in China. The company produces about 9 million tons of alumina products (including alumina, alumina hydrate and alumina chemicals), which makes it the second-largest maker of alumina in the world. Chalco also produces a million tons of primary aluminum annually. In 2007 the company agreed to acquire sister company Baotou Aluminum for about $2 billion.

Rio Tinto, one of the largest mining companies in the world, started out as a copper operation in Spain but now has operations on six continents, with the largest presences in Australia and North America. Its products include aluminum, copper, diamonds, coal, uranium, gold, iron ore and industrial minerals (borates, titanium dioxide, salt and talc). Rio Tinto, which has dual headquarters in London and Melbourne, is one of the most controversial corporations in a controversial industry.