2025 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.
$667M
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
Note: All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
Our People
$212.5M
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)
1146
B.C. employees
15
Active B.C. Apprenticeships
2
Active B.C.
Internships
4
Graduate Roles Offered
14%
Percentage of Female Workforce
Community Partnerships
$5.9M
in community contributions
BC Works’ Operations and Community Partners
Securing our Future with Continued Improvements
Alumina storage and conveyor infrastructure at BC Works.
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The new enclosed alumina conveyor crossing the Kitimat corridor.
Interior view of the new alumina conveyor system at BC Works.
BC Works Alumina Conveyor: 2025 Milestones
In 2025, BC Works made major progress on the construction and commissioning of a new alumina conveyor system at its BC Works smelter in Kitimat, representing a C$135 million investment in the long-term reliability of the operation.
Over the course of this year, the project was substantially completed, with a series of commissioning milestones demonstrating the transition from construction to live operations. On September 1, 2025, the first alumina was successfully transported through the new conveyor, marking the initial activation of the system.
Another major milestone was marked when the system achieved full cutover and began supplying 100% of alumina to the reduction process, establishing the conveyor as a core component of the smelter’s material handling infrastructure.
By early December, the project had reached near-completion, and BC works held a recognition event for teams and contractor partners to celebrate their contributions towards delivering a complex and technically demanding project, reflecting strong collaboration across all phases of execution.
Performance testing began on December 7, 2025, representing an essential step in validating system performance.
Designed with a 50-year operational life, the 1.1-kilometre conveyor system will transport approximately 800,000 tonnes of alumina annually, strengthening operational stability while improving environmental performance through reduced dust and fewer transfer points.
These 2025 milestones mark a significant step in modernizing critical infrastructure at BC Works and reinforce Rio Tinto’s long-term commitment to safe, reliable and more sustainable operations in Kitimat.
Short Form Teaser
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A Commitment to Long-Term Sustainability
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.
Overall trust & acceptance of Rio Tinto BC Works
At operations around the world, Rio Tinto has been working with Voconiq to deliver Local Voices – a community engagement program designed to provide community members with an opportunity to confidentially express their views and experiences. Through Local Voices, communities can share their thoughts with the company and help inform business decision making. In addition, every survey can help earn money for local not-for-profit groups through the Voconiq Local Voices Community Reward program.
Local Voices is now entering its third year in the communities in Northwest B.C. You can find out more about the program by clicking on the link below.
The community rated their overall trust and acceptance of Rio Tinto BC Works with scores of 3.02 and 3.20 out of 5, respectively. Rio Tinto BC Works Kitimat / Terrace region had similar trust scores at 3.01 and slightly higher acceptance scores at 3.26.
Trust the company to act responsibly
How much do you accept Rio Tinto BC works in your community?
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.
406,421 t/y
2025 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.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and GHG intensity will be provided by May 30.
$572K+
contributed to environmental initiatives in the Nechako Watershed, including the sturgeon hatchery, tributary restoration and integrated watershed research
5,113 GWh
of renewable energy produced
- GWh
Due to extremely low water levels in the Nechako Reservoir, there were no significant power exports in 2025
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