Rio Tinto Celebrates 70 Years’ Operating in Kitimat

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): 1,800 people visited the Rio Tinto Aluminum plant in Kitimat on Saturday to celebrate their 70th Anniversary. 

This included former employees of the plant, stakeholders, partners, and community members. 

BC Works General Manager Simon Pesco added several tours took place. 

“Amazing feedback from our employees about what they could see of the inside working of a fully functioning aluminum smelter,” he said. 

 Cake and meals were also served during the event, with a gift to the plant unveiled during the celebrations. 

“On Saturday, we unveiled a totem pole and that was through a competition we did with first nation artists,” said Pesco. 

The pole stands 12 feet tall and was made by the Haisla Nation selected competition winner, Paul Windsor. 

“We made people’s, not just their day I think their year,” said Pesco. 

He added being in the community for 70 years was really reflected in the plant’s history. 

 “We didn’t just build the power station and the smelter; we also built the town.” 

The Kemano Powerhouse was built for the smelter so they could use hydroelectricity for their operations. 

It was later crucial for expanding hydroelectric power across northern BC.

Courtesy: www.mybulkleylakes.com