Rio Tinto advances Kitimat operations with new conveyor commissioning

KITIMAT, Canada – Rio Tinto has commissioned a new alumina conveyor at its BC Works smelter in Kitimat, marking a key milestone in its CAN$135 million investment to strengthen the reliability of its operations.

The 1.1-kilometre system will transport approximately 800,000 tonnes of alumina per year, ensuring a steady supply of the raw material used in aluminium production. Designed with a 50-year operational life, it replaces infrastructure dating back to the 1960s.

The new conveyor represents a step change in environmental performance for the management of raw materials at BC Works. By using a sealed pipe design, a 40% reduction in particulate emissions has been achieved through containing the transported alumina, reducing the number of transfer points and using high efficiency dust collectors. Maintenance and operations are simplified and the alumina recovered is reintroduced into the process, supporting more efficient material handling.

Rio Tinto BC Works General Manager Simon Pascoe said: “This project is a key milestone for Kitimat and a strong signal of our confidence in the future of our operations. The new alumina conveyor strengthens a critical part of our smelter and is built to support reliable performance for decades to come. It is also a testament to the expertise, rigour and commitment of the teams who delivered this complex project safely and successfully.”

Rio Tinto has operated in Kitimat for more than 70 years and continues to invest in the long-term future of its aluminium operations in British Columbia.