2024 BC Works Communities and Social Performance Report
It’s Made Better by BC Works
Living our Values:
Care, Courage, Curiosity
Producing aluminium right here in B.C. that meets the internationally recognized Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Standards
We’re proud to call British Columbia home.
BC Works’ operation spans more than 400 km in Northwest B.C., from the aluminium smelter in Kitimat to our hydroelectric assets in the Nechako Watershed. We’re grateful to live and work in the unceded traditional territory of the Haisla, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum and Gitga’at Nations, where our smelter is located in Kitimat; and to the Cheslatta Carrier, Skin Tyee, Nee Tahi Buhn, Saik’uz, Stellat’en and Nadleh Whut’en Nations, where we operate in the Nechako region.
B.C. Contributions
Hover here to show contributions made across B.C.
$490.1M
contributed to the B.C. economy through BC Works
Total Benefits
Breakdown
Employee Compensation
B.C. Supply Chain Expenditure
B.C. & Local Taxes
Community Investments
B.C. Supply Chain Investment
Our People
$208M
in annual salaries, benefits and pension payments
![Full Operation[3962] (Medium).JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/62519a_50b34d18929e473ba6cb8af5a788ce76~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_490,h_368,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/62519a_50b34d18929e473ba6cb8af5a788ce76~mv2.jpg)
1113
B.C. employees
20
Active B.C. Apprenticeships
3
Active B.C.
Internships
1
Graduate Program Role Completed
14
Percentage of Female Workforce
Community Partnerships
$1.9M
in community contributions
BC Works’ Operations and Community Partners
Kitimat Smelter
Kemano Powerhouse
Port Facilities
Kemano – Kitimat Transmission Line
Click on the icon to read more about community partnerships
Securing our Future with Continued Improvements
The new bath mill drum in its final position.
The construction team driving 155 piles
into the ground using a vibe system.
Skins Lake Spillway with north gate closed.
In 2024, we made significant capital investments to enhance operational efficiency, ensure long-term sustainability, and reinforce our commitment to environmental responsibility. These improvements mark another milestone in securing BC Works’ future.
Bath Mill Replacement: A Critical Upgrade
One of the largest and most complex projects undertaken this year was the Bath Mill Replacement, a $24 million investment that ensures the continued efficiency of our aluminium production process. The bath mill plays a crucial role in breaking down and reusing spent bath, a key material in the smelting process. The project, which began with a successful pilot phase to validate continuous operations during the replacement, involved months of preparation, collaboration across multiple teams, and precise execution.
The replacement project saw extensive coordination between Project Management, Asset Management, Operations, and Environmental teams to mitigate risks and maintain production continuity. Despite challenges, including bath contamination and unexpected equipment breakdowns, the shutdown process resumed without delay, completing the replacement ahead of schedule. The new bath mill ensures improved reliability, increased efficiency, and reduced maintenance requirements, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and stable operation.
Conveyor Belt Overhaul: Enhancing Material Handling Efficiency
Another critical capital improvement in 2024 was the launch of the overhaul of the Alumina Conveyor System, a project aimed at improving the transportation of raw materials essential to the smelting process. The replacement of key conveyor components enhances operational reliability, reduces downtime, and ensures the efficient handling of alumina, a core material in aluminium production.
The construction phase involves the installation of 155 foundation piles, each 65 feet long, driven into the ground using a vibration-assisted system to stabilize the conveyor infrastructure. Engineers and construction teams have overcome multiple obstacles, including material procurement challenges and weather-related delays. The upgraded conveyor system will provide increased operational efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced safety for workers in 2025 when it is completed.
Watch our impressive team offload the new pipe conveyor and transfer Tower 1 successfully.
Kenney Dam Maintenance and Repairs: Safeguarding Hydroelectric Power
In parallel with industrial improvements, we also prioritized critical infrastructure projects, including the resurfacing of the Kenney Dam and upgrades to the Skins Lake Spillway – essential structures to managing water flow in the Nechako Reservoir, which supplies hydroelectric power to BC Works.
The resurfacing project involved extensive inspections, underwater concrete core sampling, and the repair of aging infrastructure, ensuring that the dam remains structurally sound and compliant with safety standards. Underwater surveys and robotic inspections were conducted to assess the dam’s internal condition, and key support pillars were reinforced to prevent deterioration. These enhancements not only protect water resources but also ensure the long-term reliability of BC Works’ clean energy supply.
A Commitment to Long-Term Sustainability
As we celebrate 70 years of BC Works, we take immense pride in both our history and our future. These investments not only strengthen our position as a leader in sustainable aluminium production but also ensure that we continue to play a vital role in economic growth and environmental stewardship for generations to come.
Living our Values:
Care, Courage, Curiosity
Kitimat and Kemano are certified against the
ASI Performance Standard as part of our commitment to responsible production of aluminium.
419,914 t/y
2024 Aluminium Production
Emissions Management
Note: The increased emissions between 2022 and 2023 is a result of the smelter restart and the resuming of full production in 2023.
$350K+
contributed to environmental initiatives in the Nechako Watershed, including the sturgeon hatchery, tributary restoration and integrated watershed research
5,359 GWh
of renewable energy produced
13,051 GWh
excess energy contributed to the grid
SO2 EEM Program Highlight
We are committed to minimizing the environmental impacts of our operations. Our Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program, based on an Adaptive Management Approach, ensures extensive monitoring, regular reporting, and measurable actions as needed. This program specifically monitors and reports on sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from our smelter.
Watch Meagen Grossman – Environmental Advisor discuss the program and how we track the levels of SO2 produced by our smelter to ensure we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, communities and environment.
Environmental partnerships
Water Engagement Initiative (WEI)
In 2017, Rio Tinto established the WEI to collaborate with organizations and individuals with interests in its operations in the Nechako region. The intent of the WEI is to gain a collective understanding of the diverse interests related to water management in the Nechako, to collaborate to identify opportunities to improve water management related to Rio Tinto operations and select a preferred flow alternative.
WEI adopted Structured Decision Making (SDM) – a collaborative planning framework used to assess different flow options to seek agreement on a preferred flow regime.
Approximately 40 individuals have been involved in the process, sharing wide range of interests, issues and concerns spanning three geographic areas – Nechako Reservoir, Skins-Cheslatta-Murray Lake systems and the Nechako River.
To support a meaningful and effective process, where all voices are heard, an independent facilitator was hired. In addition, a technical coordinator was brought in to coordinate the efforts of a Technical Working Group (TWG).The TWG was formed to provide technical information to support the WEI Main Table. The process also engaged the services of a decision support team to support the SDM process. You can find more information about the facilitator and technical specialists here.
The Main Table adopted a phased approach to implement operational changes and Phase 1 completed in 2024. More information around the other Phases and final report is available to view and download here.
The information has been sourced from the WEI Phase 1 Report prepared by Environmental Dynamics Inc, Ecofish Research Ltd. and Compass Resource Management Ltd.
Kitimat Public Advisory Committee (KPAC)
Rio Tinto BC Works hosts KPAC meetings quarterly and it is comprised of more than 20 community organizations, including District of Kitimat, Haisla Nation, Unifor 2301, Kitimat Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of Environment. KPAC serves as a source of information on our operations, and conversely, ensures that community voices are heard and considered in our decision making on the environmental performance of the smelter. This group has been meeting for 27 years.
Your voice matters!
Be a part of KPAC by emailing: bcworksinfo@riotinto.com