Mining giant Rio Tinto announced on Monday that it is now offering independently certified, responsibly produced aluminium from all of its Canadian operations, with the extension of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Chain of Custody certification to include the BC Works smelter and Kemano Power Operations in Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada.
The certification reinforces Rio Tinto’s commitment to responsible mining and metals production, providing independent verification that material can be traced through a ‘chain of custody’ spanning the company’s Gove bauxite mine in Australia to its alumina refinery, aluminium smelters and casthouses in Quebec and British Columbia.
The ASI certification is designed to assure customers that aluminium purchased through Rio Tinto’s Canadian operations has been produced to the highest environmental, social and governance standards.
“This certification continues Rio Tinto’s leadership on responsible production. It increases the availability of ASI certified aluminium in a range of markets, giving customers the ability to offer end consumers products made with aluminium that meets the highest sustainability standards,” Rio Tinto Aluminium VP, sales and marketing and ASI board member Tolga Egrilmezer said.
Rio Tinto has led the establishment of responsible production certification for the aluminium industry as a founding member of the ASI, working alongside customers and a range of stakeholders.