Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs
Purpose & Values
The drive for innovation and continuous improvement is at the heart of our purpose
Business Strategy
Climate change is at the heart of our business strategy
Innovation
Finding better ways to do things is in our DNA
We supply the metals and minerals used to help the world grow and decarbonise
Iron Ore
Iron ore is the primary raw material used to make steel
7 things the world will need for a low-carbon future
Wind, sun and water – what else do you need to make renewable energy work?
Sustainability – the expectation, not the exception
Shaping our aluminium product offering to meet demand for greener metals
Bringing to market materials critical to urbanisation and the transition to a low-carbon economy
Look inside a mine of the future
Our most intelligent mine yet is pioneering new mining technologies
Rincon Project
A long-life, low-cost and low-carbon lithium source
Simandou Project
The world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit
Providing materials the world needs in a responsible way
Sustainability Reporting 2023
As temporary custodians of the land where we operate, we are entrusted with accessing the world’s essential materials and making them available for society’s use
Climate Change
We’re targeting net zero emissions by 2050
Tailings
We’ve launched a new interactive map of our tailings facilities
We aim to deliver superior returns to our shareholders while safeguarding the environment and meeting our obligations to wider society
Reports 2023
Download our 2023 Annual Report, Climate Change Report, Sustainability Fact Book and Taxes Paid Report
Get the latest news, stories and updates
Things you can't live without
Our podcast discussing what needs to happen to create a sustainable future for the everyday items we have come to rely on
A new way to decarbonise steel
Tackling a global challenge
Tackling it all
A short documentary series with the Queensland Reds is inspiring working women everywhere
Discover more about life at Rio Tinto
Graduates and students
If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it
Empowering families with flexibility
Supporting new parents of any gender with equal access to parental leave
Available jobs
Join our team
Product
Production (Rio Tinto share)
Ownership
Started
2023 figures
New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) converts alumina into aluminium using renewable hydroelectricity, resulting in one of the lowest carbon footprints for an aluminium smelter in the world.
The smelter is located on Tiwai Peninsula in Southland and the majority of the plant's alumina is supplied from our Yarwun and Queensland Alumina Limited refineries. Around 90% of the aluminium produced at NZAS is exported.
NZAS is a joint venture owned by Rio Tinto (79.36%) and Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical Company (20.64%).
The power supply arrangement for the smelter is set to expire in December 2024. But we’re working closely with Ngāi Tahu, Southland and key industry leaders to find the best way for the smelter to continue operating and contributing to the local and national economies beyond 2024.
In 2022, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ngāi Tahu – the primary iwi with guardianship responsibilities over the South Island of New Zealand – which focuses on positive environmental outcomes for NZAS.
The agreement lays a path for us to work together on plans to remove waste, conduct environmental monitoring, and remediate NZAS – a priority for both mana whenua and Rio Tinto.
We have also identified 34 cultural heritage sites located on land owned and managed by the smelter. They include European burials and structures, as well as Māori sites such as middens, ovens, burials and an adze workshop. Wahi tapu, wahi taoka and mahinga kai are also present on Tiwai Peninsula. We have a Cultural Heritage Management System Plan in place to look after these important sites.
MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto has reached an agreement on a new electricity agreement with Meridian Energy that allows New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) to continue operating the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter until December 31, 2024. The extension provides certainty to employees, the local community and customers while providing more time for all stakeholders to plan f
MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto will start planning for the wind-down of operations and the eventual closure of New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) following the conclusion of its strategic review which has shown the business is no longer viable given high energy costs and a challenging outlook for the Aluminum industry. As a result, NZAS has given Meridian Energy notice t
MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto is now offering independently certified, responsibly produced aluminium from its smelters in Australia and New Zealand that predominantly use hydro-powered electricity. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has granted its Performance Standard and Chain of Custody certifications to Rio Tinto’s Amrun and Weipa bauxite mines, Yarwun alumina refinery, and t
NZAS is proud to have its metal marketed under Rio Tinto's RenewAl brand. As the world moves towards a lower carbon future, the RenewAl brand can help NZAS take advantage of growing demand for high-quality aluminium to be used in more sustainable, low-carbon products. RenewAl certifies NZAS metal as being some of the lowest carbon in the world.
In 2019, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) granted its Performance Standard and Chain of Custody certifications to our NZAS aluminium smelter. ASI certification means customers can be assured that the aluminium they purchase has been produced to the highest environmental, social and governance standards, ranging from greenhouse gas emissions to human rights.
We strive to establish and maintain community relationships that positively contribute to the quality of life where we live and work, and by supporting partnerships that are mutually beneficial and deliver long-term, sustainable results.
We have been the major sponsor of the annual NZAS Southland Science & Technology Fair since 2003. Students are required to investigate a topic of their choice using a scientific method of hypothesis, method, test and conclusions.
We also have a longstanding partnership with Southland Girls' High School, designed to encourage students to pursue careers in engineering and science. Each year we host students at the smelter for a week so they can learn about career options and work on a project gathering, testing and analysing data. Almost half of the participants have gone on to study engineering at university.
In addition to offering in-kind support, NZAS also donated $480,353 in 2023 to 32 non-profit organisations in the Southland community.
As part of our agreement with Ngāi Tahu, in 2023, NZAS and Ngāi Tahu awarded $1.15 million in support to 7 local cultural and business projects.
We’re committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that different perspectives are welcomed and valued.
Tiwai is a place where we treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.
We want a diverse workplace – not only because it is good for our business, but because it is the right thing to do.
We strive wherever possible to buy locally and employ locally, investing in our community by supporting economic activity and contributing towards a sustainable future.
We also focus on training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities. Our graduate program is designed to attract and develop employees to bring fresh thinking, different perspectives and new skill sets.
Tiwai Road Invercargill New Zealand
T: +64 3 218 5999
NZAS Private Bag 90110 Invercargill New Zealand
E: NZAS Community Enquiries T: +64 3218 5440
How we process personal data provided or obtained through this website.
With the exception of the use of cookies, Rio Tinto generally does not seek to collect personal data through this website. However if you choose to provide personal data to Rio Tinto through this website (for example, by sending us an email), we will process that personal data to answer your query and if relevant, to manage our business relationship with you or your company. We won't process that personal data for other purposes except where required to meet our legal obligations or otherwise as authorised by law and notified to you.
If you choose to subscribe to our media releases or other communications, you can unsubscribe at any time (by following the instructions in the email or by contacting us).
With your consent, our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site. A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer if you agree. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive.
As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of our Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
With the exception of the use of cookies (explained below), Rio Tinto generally does not seek to collect personal data through this website. However if you choose to provide personal data to Rio Tinto through this website (for example, by sending us an email), we will process that personal data to answer your query and if relevant, to manage our business relationship with you or your company. We won't process that personal data for other purposes except where required to meet our legal obligations or otherwise as authorised by law and notified to you.
Part 1 of this Privacy Policy contains the Rio Tinto Data Privacy Standard, which provides an overview of Rio Tinto’s approach to personal data processing. There is additional information in the appendices to the Data Privacy Standard, including information about disclosures, trans-border data transfers, the exercise of data subject rights and how to make complaints or obtain further information relating to Rio Tinto’s processing of your personal data.
If you choose to subscribe to our media releases or other communications, you can unsubscribe at any time (by following the instructions in the email or by contacting us at digital.comms@riotinto.com).
With your consent, our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site.
A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer if you agree. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive.
As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of this Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
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