Rio Tinto Alcan (NZ)

Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) is the world’s largest aluminium company, based in Montreal, Canada. RTA has worldwide interests in bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting, including in Australasia.

Its New Zealand interests are owned by Rio Tinto Alcan New Zealand Limited (formerly Comalco New Zealand Limited) which operates an aluminium smelter – New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) at Tiwai Point, near Invercargill, in the south of the South Island. The smelter is near Codfish Island (Whenua Hou) and Anchor Island, where the current centres for kakapo recovery are located.

When Comalco was approached in 1988 to sponsor the Kakapo Recovery Programme (KRP), it initially declined as it was wary of being seen to be buying environmentalist support. However, Comalco had been looking for a way to encourage more public participation in their aluminium can recycling programme and in 1990 made one of the largest commitments of its kind to a threatened species sponsorship when it became involved with the rescue programme for the world's rarest parrot, the kakapo. Its decision linked the sponsorship into the aluminium can recycling programme: the more cans the public returned the more money for the bird.

More than $1 million was donated by Comalco over the project's first six years. Then, in 1996 when the contract came up for renewal, Comalco committed for another six years, although it was no longer involved in can recycling. RTANZ has recently signed a new contract for a period of three years. Its total commitment to the programme to date has been in excess of $3 million.

For RTANZ, it's not just a matter of writing a cheque each year. As part of the Kakapo Recovery Programme, RTANZ representatives meet with DOC and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society regularly each year to agree work programmes and budgets, and oversee the recovery process. It does not direct how the recovery programme is managed on a day to day basis but plays an active role in developing plans and longer-term strategies. For example, RTANZ supported the concept of an expert review of the kakapo programme, which involved two international bird experts, who provided an independent view. It has also sought to emphasise scientific research, to provide a stronger foundation for the recovery of the species.
NZAS entered into an active partnership with the Department of Conservation in 2004, with NZAS employees volunteering to assist with supplementary feeding duties, along with repairs and maintenance of the kakapo inhabited islands.

The partnership has also proved a valuable opportunity to exchange views on wider issues and has provided RTANZ/NZAS staff with excellent opportunities to meet a wide range of people involved in conservation and environmental activities.

RTA in New Zealand
Rio Tinto Alcan New Zealand Limited (formerly Comalco NZ Ltd), wholly owned by Rio Tinto Alcan Limited, Canada, was established in 1988. Based in Wellington its function is to manage New Zealand issues, such as electricity, environment, and external affairs. It owns RTA's interests in New Zealand, principally through its 79.36% stake in New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS).

NZAS operates the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, which is large by world standards. It is a major employer and contributor to the economies of Southland and New Zealand, and is one of New Zealand's largest exporters.
Since commissioning, the smelter has been expanded and upgraded from an initial capacity of 70,000 tonnes per annum from one reduction line, to three and a half reduction lines, which produce more than 350,000 tonnes of primary aluminium annually.

View this link to find out more about RTA/NZAS

NZAS KEY FACTS

• In 2007 NZAS achieved record production of 352,976 tonnes
• NZAS produces the highest purity aluminium in the world
• Around 90% of NZAS aluminium is exported to Japan, other Asian countries, North America & Europe
• 60% of memory discs worldwide are made of NZAS aluminium
• 40% of capacitors worldwide are made of NZAS aluminium
• 41% reduction in Greenhouse Gases since 1990
• The world’s largest passenger airliner, the Airbus A380s wings are made of NZAS aluminium
• In 2007 NZAS was awarded the NZ Business Excellence Foundation (NZBEF) Gold Award – only the third company in NZ to gain this prestigious award.

If you would like to read more about NZAS’ work in these areas, view the NZAS Sustainable Development Reports.