KITIMAT, BC, Sept.
24, 2016 /CNW/ - Rio Tinto welcomes employees and community
members of all ages to visit its modernised Kitimat smelter. Throughout the day,
interactive exhibits, family activities and bus tours of the new
state-of-the-art facilities are planned.
Gareth Manderson, general manager
of Rio Tinto BC Works says: "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."
Mr. Manderson continues: "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."
The modernised smelter clearly illustrates Rio Tinto's
commitment to projects that increases our competitiveness through
productivity and leverages our unparalleled hydro power position,
further reducing our environmental footprint.
Kitimat Modernisation Project
Rio Tinto has been present in British
Columbia for over 60 years. Kitimat works is one of the largest
manufacturing complexes in the province of BC and is a significant
contributor to economic and community sustainability in northern
BC. Our aluminium smelter is located alongside a deep-water port
immediately south of the community of Kitimat. It has an annual nameplate production
capacity of 420,000 tonnes of value-added primary aluminum
products.
SOURCE RIO TINTO GROUP