The BC Work’s smelter in Kitimat is powered by the Kemano Powerhouse, which receives water from the Nechako Reservoir via a single tunnel that is over 60 years old. Since the completion of the second tunnel, Rio Tinto has been operating both T1 and T2 together, ensuring the long-term reliability of the power supply that energizes Rio Tinto’s BC Works smelter in Kitimat. The smelter produces aluminium with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world.  

Rio Tinto estimates the project contributed approximately $850 million to the BC economy and employed approximately 340 people at its peak. Rio Tinto and all the contractors working on the Kemano T2 Project worked to maximize the involvement of local businesses and First Nations throughout the duration of the project.