Rio Tinto Opens New Modernized Smelter in Kitimat

October 3, 2016

KITIMAT – Rio Tinto welcomes employees and community members of all ages to visit its modernized 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 modernization 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.”

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 modernized 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.

Share This