Rio Tinto receives Corporate Leadership Award for low carbon aluminum smelter


01 November 2017

Rio Tinto has received the Canadian American Business Council’s Corporate Leadership Award for the $6 billion modernization of its BC Works smelter at Kitimat in British Columbia, which produces some of the world’s lowest carbon aluminum.

Canadian American Business Council (CABC) chief executive officer Maryscott Greenwood said "Rio Tinto has shown itself to be a leading North American business through its commitment to sustainability and innovation, and its significant contribution to supporting jobs and economic growth.

"This award celebrates Rio Tinto’s innovation to build a world class modern smelter here in North America, the environmental benefits this is delivering and its long term partnership with the Kitimat community."


Rio Tinto Aluminum chief executive Alf Barrios said "We are proud to be celebrating the outstanding efforts of our people to deliver this state-of-the art smelter.

"The combination of clean hydropower with the leading edge technology in the new smelter allows us to produce aluminum with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world.

"We have increased the smelter’s production capacity by close to 50 per cent, at the same time as improving environmental performance by halving overall emissions."

Each year, the CABC recognizes a company for their commitment to sustainability, innovation, and job creation. In years past, honorees included Johnson & Johnson, Coca Cola, and Campbell’s Soup.

The Corporate Leadership Award is presented at an annual State of the Relationship dinner in Ottawa, Canada, celebrating the ties between Canada and the United States. This year’s event focused on the importance of trade, and was also the first public event for incoming US Ambassador to Canada, Kelly Knight Craft.