Rio Tinto's modernised Kitimat aluminium smelter opens amid fanfare

Metal and Mining giant Rio Tinto opened the doors of its newly modernised aluminium smelter in Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada. The entire Kitimat community was welcomed by the company for a day-long celebration which included family activities, interactive exhibits, and bus tours of the state-of-the-art facilities.

In an official invite to the Kitimat people Gareth Manderson, general manager of Rio Tinto BC Works said, "This smelter represents the next chapter built on our 60 year legacy as a leading aluminium producer here in Kitimat. The modernisation project was the largest private infrastructure investment in BC's history. It has doubled the production of the smelter while reducing overall emissions by nearly 50 percent. Our leading-edge facility is now one of the greenest in the world and produces aluminium with one of the lowest-carbon footprints supporting the rapidly expanding Pacific Rim and North American markets."

"It is an honour to share this achievement with the people who made it possible – our employees, their families, our local communities, suppliers, contractors and our customers. We are now ready to evolve on the foundation we have created and build a successful and competitive business that will support our employees and communities for years to come," Mr. Manderson stated.

The modernised aluminium smelter illustrates the metal maker's commitment to develop projects that enhances its overall competitiveness through improved productivity while leveraging its hydro power generation capabilities further reducing the smelter's carbon footprint.

Kitimat works is one of BC's largest manufacturing complexes and is a key contributor to its economic and community sustainability. Located alongside a deep-water port the aluminium smelter has an annual nameplate production capacity of 420,000 tonnes of value-added primary aluminium products.

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