Weak aluminium prices won't help smelter

Weak aluminium prices won't help smelter
Rebecca Howard
Aluminium prices fell for another month as global mining giant Rio Tinto reviews the future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, including possibly closing the site near Bluff.The ANZ commodity price index showed aluminium prices were the only locally produced raw material to fall in October, down 1.6 percent in October and 15 percent less than a year ago. The 48-year-old smelter is 79.4 percent-owned by Rio Tinto, which has been selling or shutting smaller, older plants worldwide to focus on its most profitable operations.The plant, whic...

More Primary Sector

EPA’s Allan Freeth sets record straight
Primary Sector

EPA’s Allan Freeth sets record straight

Resignation news a simple case of "bad timing", says environment watchdog CEO.

Pattrick Smellie 07 Nov 2025
War on Nature v Going for Growth
Opinion

Pattrick Smellie: War on Nature v Going for Growth

Some big environmental eggs were broken this week to 'go for growth'.

Pattrick Smellie 07 Nov 2025
Rare Returns: Exporting NZ red meat smarter, not harder
Primary Sector Rare Returns

Rare Returns: Exporting NZ red meat smarter, not harder

Is it time to take The Lamb Company model elsewhere?

Riley Kennedy 07 Nov 2025
Allied Farmers shareholders back sale of NZ Farmers Livestock
Primary Sector

Allied Farmers shareholders back sale of NZ Farmers Livestock

Allied will hold $14m in reserves as it looks for its next investment opportunity.

Staff reporters 06 Nov 2025