Tiwai smelter needs to 'wash its face' to be retained

Chris Blenkiron says Tiwai Point produces six times less carbon than the industry average. (Image: NZME)

Fri, 09 Dec 2022

New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) chief executive Chris Blenkiron says the company is under no illusions that the Tiwai Point smelter will contribute to the broader Rio Tinto portfolio, but it needs to "wash its face" to go forward.That's as negotiations continue with energy generator Meridian, whose Manapouri hydro scheme was built to supply the smelter, to extend its existing power contract past December 2024, or face closure with the loss of more than 1,000 Southland jobs, and another 2,500 indirectly.Rio Tinto, the internat...

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