Low Water Levels Threaten Rio Tinto Alcan’s New Zealand Smelter

Tiwai Point smelter that Rio Tinto Alcan holds a majority stake has being threatened again by the low water levels. The problem has troubled the New Zealand smelter for years, and in 2006 its production was cut to 337,300 tons from 351,400 tons in 2005 with bouncing back to a new record of 353,000 tons last year. Rio Tinto Alcan said it has been paying close attention to the power supply situation, and hydro system management has said though water levels in key lakes are as low as 32% of average levels at this time last year, they are not as bad as those of the earlier years, “ we haven’t yet intended to cut the consumption. ” COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of WAM News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of WAM.