An electrolytic reduction cell for the production of a metal is disclosed. The cell includes a plurality of collector bars (21). Each collector bar includes an elongated first section (27) that contacts the cathode (15) and at least one end section (29) that extends through one of the cell side walls (5) and is electrically connected to the electrical current carrier. The cell is characterised in that, for the purpose of controlling current distribution, the first section of each collector bar includes a core (31) of relatively high electrical conductivity material and an outer housing (33) of a more mechanically and chemically resistant material than the core material and the end section of each collector bar is formed from relatively low thermal conductivity material.
