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A basic view of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.
Picture: Getty Images
The Southland Business Chamber states it is assisting companies to get ready for the possible closure of the Tiwai Smelter at the end of the year.
The aluminium smelter supplies an approximated 750 direct tasks and supports 2500 tasks in the area, producing approximately 330,000 tonnes of aluminium a year.
In 2020, Rio Tinto revealed it would unwind the smelter the list below year. In 2021, that was pressed back till completion of December this year after a brand-new offer was struck.
With unpredictability about whether that date would be pressed out once again, the Southland Business Chamber has actually been working to guarantee the area’s companies were well-prepared if that took place.
Last May, the chamber protected 5 years of federal government financing for an engineering and production cluster to assist the area shift and diversify its economy.
President Sheree Carey stated they were getting ready for the closure, however they stayed confident the Tiwai Smelter would belong of the area’s economy and neighborhood for several years.
“Being able to protect (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) financing for 5 years has actually indicated we’ve had the ability to develop the Southland Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster to map and develop ability in this sector to guarantee they’re all set to diversify into brand-new markets and get chances in your area, nationally and worldwide,” she stated.
The crucial focus was bring in proficient employees to the production engineering market, she stated.
She did not think it was an option in between one or the other, stating the Tiwai Smelter and brand-new markets consisting of hydrogen production would co-exist.
“This job is transformational not simply for Southland however nationally, as the effective pilot design can be presented throughout other areas,” Carey stated.
The recently developed Southland Innovation Centre – which was opened by the chamber – was intended to promote development and financial development, and assistance services to team up.
It got backing from Murihiku Rūnaka and Rio Tinto/NZAS Community Development Fund.