Smelter talks to continue after Xmas

Smelter talks to continue after Xmas
Staff reporters
Talks to extend the closure date of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter are continuing, but no announcement is expected before Christmas.The government is negotiating with operator Rio Tinto to keep the smelter operating for another three to five years to limit the disruption the closure would create in the electricity market, give more time to develop options for using the surplus supply and help the more than 1,000 people who work at the smelter.The plant, NZ’s biggest electricity user, is currently scheduled for closure next August.Talks...