Rio Tinto to ramp up production of New Zealand smelter

Rio Tinto will increase production at its New Zealand smelter later this month.

Its New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) facility in Tiwai Point will ramp up production from June 16 following an agreement with power supplier Meridien Energy.

It will target full production of the 335,000 t/year facility by August 11.

It had been operating at reduced capacity since June last year due to energy security issues in New Zealand’s winter.

The company had reduced a third of the plant’s operations at Meridian’s request

Meridian Energy can ask Rio Tinto to cut its electricity use at Tiwai Point 60 days after the ramp-up finishes.

Meridian Energy CEO designate Mike Roan said: “New Zealand’s hydro storage is looking much healthier than it was just a few weeks ago, so we are now confident regarding security of supply this winter.”
“As a result, we want NZAS to get back to business.”
“This is another example of how willing NZAS is to support New Zealand’s electricity system while making some of the purest, renewable aluminium on the planet and we are hugely appreciative of that.”

Source: www.aluminiumtoday.com