Rio looks to extend power deal for aluminium plant

LONDON (Reuters) - Rio Tinto (RIO.L: Quote, Profile, Research) (RIO.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) is seeking to secure power supplies for its primary aluminium smelter in Britain beyond the expiry of its present contract at the end of 2009, a company spokesman said on Thursday. "We're still negotiating and hoping we can extend our power contract beyond next year," he said. The Anglesey smelter in Wales takes its energy from the nearby Wylfa nuclear power station, which is due to be decommissioned at the end of 2010. The company was also looking at its options further into the future, the spokesman said, adding that no decisions had yet been made. "We need power and we clearly need a contract which can provide power at a reasonable price," he added. Last year, the plant, which is 51 percent-owned by Rio Tinto, produced almost 144,000 tonnes of primary aluminium. In June, a localised fire at the plant led to a loss of power and it continues to operate at reduced capacity. Kaiser Aluminum KLU.N also owns 49 percent of the plant. Source: Reuters