Kitimat Modernization Project
Project Owner: Rio Tinto
Location: Kitimat, BC
Description: Rio Tinto ’s modernized aluminium smelter is now one of the lowest-cost and most efficient aluminium production facilities in the world. The plant is powered exclusively by Rio Tinto’s wholly owned clean and renewable hydro power meaning that Rio Tinto will produce some of the world’s most responsible aluminium with the lowest carbon footprint at Kitimat. The Kitimat aluminium smelter began production in 1954 and has more than 900 employees. A major modernization project to replace the original smelter was completed in June 2015. Following a gradual ramp-up of production, the plant reached full capacity in March 2016.
Our involvement: The project was delivered by nearly 10,000 Building Trades Unions’ members, 99 per cent of which were Canadian, including local, First Nations and British Columbian workers. Approximately 25 per cent of the workforce was made up of apprentices throughout the life of the project.
Fast Facts about Kitimat Modernization Project
- 9791 total members worked on site, a peak of about 4000 workers
- 99% Canadian workers (38% local including First Nations and 87% BC)
- Only 1% temporary foreign workers – all from USA affiliates
- World class camp and facilities for workers
- 23 million hours worked
- Only 13 loss time injuries (while we all support zero harm, this is an excellent statistic)
- 3.6 million hours worked with no lost time due to injury
- 3.6 million bricks laid
- 162,000 metres of concrete poured
- 40,000 tons of steel erected
- 2.4 million metres of cable laid
- 62,000 metres of pipe installed
- 275 squares of cladding placed
- 23%-26% apprentices throughout the Project
Project Owner: Rio Tinto
Location: Kitimat, BC
Description: Rio Tinto ’s modernized aluminium smelter is now one of the lowest-cost and most efficient aluminium production facilities in the world. The plant is powered exclusively by Rio Tinto’s wholly owned clean and renewable hydro power meaning that Rio Tinto will produce some of the world’s most responsible aluminium with the lowest carbon footprint at Kitimat. The Kitimat aluminium smelter began production in 1954 and has more than 900 employees. A major modernization project to replace the original smelter was completed in June 2015. Following a gradual ramp-up of production, the plant reached full capacity in March 2016.
Our involvement: The project was delivered by nearly 10,000 Building Trades Unions’ members, 99 per cent of which were Canadian, including local, First Nations and British Columbian workers. Approximately 25 per cent of the workforce was made up of apprentices throughout the life of the project.
Fast Facts about Kitimat Modernization Project
- 9791 total members worked on site, a peak of about 4000 workers
- 99% Canadian workers (38% local including First Nations and 87% BC)
- Only 1% temporary foreign workers – all from USA affiliates
- World class camp and facilities for workers
- 23 million hours worked
- Only 13 loss time injuries (while we all support zero harm, this is an excellent statistic)
- 3.6 million hours worked with no lost time due to injury
- 3.6 million bricks laid
- 162,000 metres of concrete poured
- 40,000 tons of steel erected
- 2.4 million metres of cable laid
- 62,000 metres of pipe installed
- 275 squares of cladding placed
- 23%-26% apprentices throughout the Project