Alcan close to deal on Kitimat smelter

Posted by anzhuo on December 15th, 2015

    MONTREAL — — Alcan Inc. says a deal is close with the British Columbia government and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority to allow the aluminum producer to go ahead with a -billion smelter in Kitimat.

    Michel Jacques, president of Alcan's primary metal group, said Thursday at the annual meeting in Montreal the company wants the project to go ahead and isn't asking for anything new.

    Mr. Jacques says there's already a provision in Alcan's agreement with the province that allows energy to be sold to the Northwest B.C. from its existing facility.

    There have been discussions with officials of the District of Kitimat, which opposed Alcan's proposal to sell power from its Kemano hydroelectric project to the B.C. Hydro grid.

    The Kitimat modernization also includes a reduction of the work force.

    Alcan has been steadily reducing its work force in Kitimat, currently at 1,550, down from 2,500 and the upgrade would increase production but cull the employee count further to 1,000.

    Alcan Inc. says an agreement is close with the British Columbia government and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority to allow the aluminum producer to move ahead with the -billion Kitimat smelter.

    A company official says the planned state-of-the-art smelter will use 30 per cent less energy, issue 40 per cent less greenhouse gasses and produce 60 per cent more aluminum.

    The modernization also includes a reduction of the work force.

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