Rio Tinto considers reopening aluminium potline at NZAS

This image has been obtained via official media kit

Rio Tinto is looking at bringing part of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter in Tiwai Point back into use after several years of inactivity. The company has announced plans linked to the possible restart of Line 4, a potline that has been shut down since 2020.

The proposal depends on a planned power agreement with Contact Energy. Both sides have signed a letter of intent, opening the door for the arrangement to move forward ahead of a possible restart in 2030. If the project goes ahead, the smelter is also expected to purchase electricity from Contact Energy’s Southland Wind Farm over the long term.

Reactivating the line would lift aluminium production at the site by about 30,000 tonnes a year. Rio Tinto believes the move could provide a sizeable economic benefit as well, with estimates suggesting it may generate an additional NZD 100 million in export revenue annually for New Zealand, or close to USD 59 million.

The development would also strengthen the connection between industrial production and renewable energy investment in the Southland region.

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