Rio Tinto planning to close Tiwai Point smelter

Rio Tinto has announced it has started planning for the wind-down of operations and the eventual closure of the Tiwai Point Aluminum Smelter.

Rio Tinto says the business is no longer viable given high energy costs and a challenging outlook for the Aluminum industry.

As a result, New Zealand Aluminum Smelters has given Meridian Energy notice to terminate the power contract, which will end in August 2021, when the wind-down of operations is expected to complete.

Corin Dann spoke to Stu Hamilton the CEO and Site General manager of New Zealand Aluminium Smelters and asked him if this was the end of the line.

Rio Tinto planning to close Tiwai Point smelter
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