Rio Tinto has announced Tiwai Point aluminium smelter will stay open to 2024. Photo: ODT filesThe owners of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter say they have reached a deal with electricity provider Meridian Energy that will keep it open until the end of 2024. "As a company we have planned for the eventual exit of the Tiwai Smelter. "It is a private agreement between Rio Tinto - it is a sole deal between Rio Tinto and Meridian . “The deal provides welcome certainty to the Southland community by protecting jobs and incomes as the region plans for the future.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 13, 2021 21:11 UTC