Kitimat, British Columbia — Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL) announced today that it has met with representatives from the District of Kitimat to continue the dialogue regarding the Company’s presence in the Kitimat-Terrace region and to discuss opportunities to promote the region’s long-term economic sustainability.
"In 2004, Alcan celebrated its 50th anniversary in Kitimat and has contributed more than CAD$2 billion to the economy of British Columbia over the past 25 years. The Company is the region’s single largest employer and remains committed to promoting sustainability in B.C.’s northwest," said Marco Palmieri, President Asia Pacific, Alcan Primary Metal Group. "Alcan's most important business in B.C. and the Kitimat-Terrace region has been and will remain for the foreseeable future, the production of aluminum. Historically, Alcan’s incidental sales of power have fluctuated due to water availability, but have been an integral part of its business in B.C., providing an important stabilizing element to the business and supporting the region’s power needs," he added.
During the discussions with Kitimat’s municipal leaders, Mr. Palmieri conveyed several important points to better express Alcan’s commitment to the region:
- Alcan continues to evaluate technical options to support the possible modernization of the Kitimat smelter, which the Company believes could ensure the smelter’s future for at least another 35 years. If commenced, the smelter’s modernization would provide substantial new construction jobs for a period of 4-6 years. However, once in operation the new smelter would have greater efficiency and employ fewer production workers than today.
- In recognition of this long-term potential impact, Alcan is actively involved in economic and employment development efforts in the Kitimat-Terrace region. The Company’s recently announced office of Regional Industrial Development (RID) is working with the business community, the Haisla First Nation, and organizations such as KTIDS, in realizing this commitment.
- Community and government support at all levels are key factors in all of Alcan’s new project development decisions throughout the world. Accordingly, the security of the long-term presence of the aluminum business in Kitimat depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders.
Palmieri greatly appreciated the candour of the day’s discussions. "We will continue this productive dialogue and I am confident that we will achieve the best long-term future for Kitimat, B.C. and Alcan by working together toward common objectives," he concluded.
Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing, today’s Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs approximately 70,000 people and has operating facilities in 55 countries and regions.
Statements made which describe the Company’s intentions, expectations or predictions may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty; the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.
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investor.relations@alcan.com
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