Published Tuesday, 03 July, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
RIO TINTO ALUMINIUM EXPANSION MEANS MORE JOBS FOR QUEENSLAND: BEATTIE
This morning’s announcement that Rio Tinto Aluminium will more than double annual production at its Yarwun Alumina Refinery in Gladstone means more jobs for Queensland, Premier Peter Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said the US$1.8 billion expansion was a further vote of confidence in Queensland’s future and was another significant boost for the Gladstone region.
“Work on the Yarwun expansion is expected to start soon and should take about three years to complete,” Mr Beattie said.
“Rio Tinto expects the construction workforce to peak at around 2,200 workers during 2009.
“The company says there will a strong emphasis on hiring people locally with the total construction workforce expected to average about 1600 workers during the whole construction period.
“Rio Tinto anticipates that the expanded refinery will employ an additional 270 employees and full-time contractors once it reaches full operation. That is on top of more than 500 full-time staff and contractors already employed at the Yarwun refinery.
“This is more great news for Queensland which continues to lead Australia’s economic growth and development.
“The $1.5 billion first stage of Rio Tinto Aluminium’s Yarwun refinery was officially opened in March 2005.
“The State Government has been heavily involved in planning for the expansion and has provided all necessary approvals for the project to go ahead.
“The refinery expansion will produce an extra 2 million tonnes of alumina a year – up from its present capacity of 1.4 million tonnes,” Mr Beattie said.
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
3 July 2007
Mr Beattie said the US$1.8 billion expansion was a further vote of confidence in Queensland’s future and was another significant boost for the Gladstone region.
“Work on the Yarwun expansion is expected to start soon and should take about three years to complete,” Mr Beattie said.
“Rio Tinto expects the construction workforce to peak at around 2,200 workers during 2009.
“The company says there will a strong emphasis on hiring people locally with the total construction workforce expected to average about 1600 workers during the whole construction period.
“Rio Tinto anticipates that the expanded refinery will employ an additional 270 employees and full-time contractors once it reaches full operation. That is on top of more than 500 full-time staff and contractors already employed at the Yarwun refinery.
“This is more great news for Queensland which continues to lead Australia’s economic growth and development.
“The $1.5 billion first stage of Rio Tinto Aluminium’s Yarwun refinery was officially opened in March 2005.
“The State Government has been heavily involved in planning for the expansion and has provided all necessary approvals for the project to go ahead.
“The refinery expansion will produce an extra 2 million tonnes of alumina a year – up from its present capacity of 1.4 million tonnes,” Mr Beattie said.
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
3 July 2007