The costs are high if New Zealand Aluminium Smelter’s base at Tiwai Point closes, as its owners appears to have done by giving 14 months’ notice on its electricity contract. At Tiwai Point, the smelter was well positioned – close to the Manapōuri Power Station, the deep sea port of Bluff and the well resourced city of Invercargill. ROBYN EDIE/STUFF Rio Tinto owned Tiwai aluminium smelter based near Invercargill, has today announced the plant will close at the end of August 2021. In 2013, the Key Government gave Rio Tinto made a one-off $30m payment in return for a commitment to stay until 2017. Kavinda Herath / Stuff Southland residents discuss their concerns about the closure of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.

Source: Stuff July 09, 2020 01:07 UTC