New Zealand's Aluminium Smelter (NZAS)

Simeon Brown brought the fine weather with him to Tiwai on Friday. As Energy Minister he was particularly interested in the recent potline shutdown, which saw power from Tiwai flow back into the grid to help keep the lights on. As well as seeing the team getting cells back into operation, the Minister took some time to thank the team for the work to deliver demand response when it was needed, which was appreciated. The Minister noted that this was actually his second visit to the smelter. He had been here as a teenager over the summer on a public tour. However he said this time, the tour was a little more in-depth! Liam McNamara Ben Craven Chris Blenkiron Simon King Steve McDonald Darren Schwass Jackie McKenna Matthew Black

We were thrilled to announce support for fourteen outstanding Murihiku Southland projects and initiatives in the second round of funding, from the Community Development Fund, which is administered jointly by Rio Tinto, NZAS and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Murihiku Regeneration Rūnaka. Funding in this second round included support for a broad range of projects. From arts and culture initiatives such as South Sea Spray Wāhine – a one-of-a-kind street art festival showcasing female artists throughout Southland – to community infrastructure such as funding KiwiHarvest’s new delivery truck, and the refurbishment of Southland Help's support centre. Community and youth education and support services also shine through with projects such as financial mentoring provided by Jubilee Budget Advisory and Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Kiwi Can and Career Navigator. Environmental projects are also well represented, including Bluff Hill Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust (BHMET) which received a grant for a critical trap upgrade to support the journey towards Bluff Hill Motupōhue becoming Predator-Free. Collectively, these projects will make Southland an even better place to live, which is important to the team at Tiwai, who all call this place home. We look forward to continuing to be a part of the Southland community, as we have been over the past 53 years!   Full details in the link below, courtesy of Logan Savory and the Southland Tribune. Dion Williams Simon King Chris Blenkiron Andrea Carson

We delayed this post so as not to jinx anything, but on 5 September Tiwai reached a significant safety milestone of 365 days recordable injury free. A recordable injury is an injury requiring more than basic first aid treatment – lacerations requiring stitches, broken bones requiring plaster cast, or surgical treatment for example. This is a result of the collective efforts of every single person that has worked on our site over the past year. Running an operation like an aluminum smelter is complex, with many health and safety hazards to be managed, to ensure everyone goes home safely. The commitment, determination, and perseverance of everyone at Tiwai over the past 12 months, has been the key factor in achieving this milestone. Whether it was conducting quality pre-start toolbox’s, Take-5 moments, or on the spot leadership coaching as part of day-to-day operations, it has all made a positive difference in keeping everyone safe. We now look forward to reaching our next safety milestone! Chris Blenkiron Dion Williams Craig Scarlett Darren Schwass Steve McDonald Angela Schrider Paula Checketts Matthew Black Simon King Darryl Smith Gerry Forde Jason Laverty Todd Simms

The Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Rio Tinto/New Zealand's Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) and Murihiku Rūnaka Community Development Fund looks to help organisations that support community wellbeing, environmental outcomes and resilience. The recent grant to enable the South Alive Hub to install solar panels fit that mandate perfectly - providing a sustainable future for the Hub so it can continue its great work around Invercargill, driving community connection. Now let the sun shine! Dion Williams Andrea Carson Murihiku Regeneration Simon King Chris Blenkiron

It was a pleasure to have Rio Tinto’s Chief Scientist Nigel Steward in Wellington last week. He was in town to provide his perspectives to a range of interested stakeholders, including Resources Minister Hon. Shane Jones as New Zealand develops a critical minerals strategy. He also gave a quick science lesson on the periodic table! As a company that mines and smelts the materials the world needs for the energy transition, Rio Tinto looks forward to continuing to lend its knowledge as New Zealand assess its approach to exploring for these materials. Chris Blenkiron Matthew Black Simon King Josie Vidal Craig Barry Wayne Scott Jeremy Harding Josh Adams Karen Boyes

We have announced a further reduction in electricity usage today as New Zealand's current energy squeeze continues, and winter really starts to bite in some areas ❄. While we would prefer to be smelting aluminum, we are pleased to be able to offer this additional support for New Zealand’s power grid at this time of energy constraint. Meridian Energy

"Line 1 has been safely and successfully taken out of circuit." Behind those simple words in an email today to staff at NZAS lay a huge amount of hard work across Tiwai, to get 185 Megawatts (MW) back into the electricity system to meet the current energy squeeze. To give you an idea of what that means, Transpower New Zealand load data had all of Taranaki receiving approximately 158 MW today. Taking out a potline is not a simple exercise, requiring planning and meticulous execution; we last did it in 2008.  In true Tiwai manner, it was done professionally, safely and without drama. NZAS is playing its part as NZ’s biggest electricity user to help the system when under stress, which was a core part of the agreements we recently reached with both Meridian Energy and Contact Energy Ltd. Chris Blenkiron Matthew Black Steve McDonald

Jamiee Thompson, Jared Gorrie and Tailah Boniface headed up to the Women in Trades NZ event in Timaru and we had Georgia Ryan, Savannah Egerton, Alex McRoy and Amanda Smith at Murihiku’s largest careers expo, CareerFest organised by Great South. We love kōrero with Aotearoa’s rangitahi and are looking forward to meeting more of the community tonight and tomorrow as the CareerFest continues at ILT Stadium Southland. #whytiwai #newzealandaluminiumsmelter #riotinto #careers #nzas #tiwai

Busy few days in New Zealand, where New Zealand's Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) recently signed a 20-year power supply deal for our aluminium smelter at Tiwai with Meridian Energy, Contact Energy Ltd and Mercury NZ. Great to see firsthand the dedication and pride our team take in producing some of the world’s lowest carbon aluminium, including the production of Ultra High Purity aluminium. Tiwai is one of the very few smelters globally that has this specialist capacity. Honoured to connect with our partners Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. The relationship we have is truly special and they have been instrumental in ensuring our stewardship of the land at Tiwai is world class. I was deeply touched by the insight and knowledge Tā Tipene O’Regan and the iwi generously shared on our visit. Also an honour to meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Deputy PM Winston Peters and Resources Minister Shane Jones. It was good to discuss what the aluminium we produce at Tiwai means for New Zealand as one of the country’s largest exports, and the role it plays in the broader global energy transition. The highlight of my visit had to be meeting our fantastic staff who finally have some clarity on the future. We can now think long term and further strengthen this excellent smelter together. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eA7w5DqG #FindingBetterWays

Jamiee, Jared and Nadine headed north this week to be part of the Women in Trades NZ expo in Lower Hutt. It was a joy to share Tiwai’s story with the rangatahi that came and hear their career aspirations. There are inspirational young wāhine out there, excited to discuss pathways for their future and it was a privilege to talk to them about how trades can be that pathway.