Rio Tinto Alcan investment proves QLD open for business

Premier Campbell Newman today officially opened the expanded Yarwun 2 refinery,

cementing Rio Tinto Alcan’s commitment to Gladstone and Queensland.

In Gladstone, the Premier said the Yarwun 2 refinery will transform Rio Tinto Alcan into the world’s leading bauxite and alumina producer and the company’s investment was a vote of confidence in the State of Queensland.

“Queensland is well and truly open for business and this expanded Rio Tinto Alcan refinery is proof,” Mr Newman said.

“To the workers and contractors and I believe there are about 500 of you here today, you’ve built something you can be rightly proud of, a world class refinery.”

Mr Newman said the $2.5 billion investment was not only an investment for today but also an investment in the future of Queensland operations and crucially, an investment in regional communities.

“This is a sign of Rio Tinto Alcan’s commitment to growth in a challenging operating environment,” Mr Newman said.

“Rio Tinto Alcan’s combined Queensland operations employ 3,000 people, each year contribute more than $300 million in salaries and wages, $10 million in royalties and $6.5 million in community investments.

“In the Gladstone community that investment translates to tangible improvements that we can point to, such as sporting fields, housing, parklands and many other projects.”

Mr Newman said the Government was doing everything it could to make sure that Queensland was the best place in Australia for industry and for businesses large and small.

“We want to get our AAA credit rating back and we want to make Queensland prosperous again by rebuilding the economy around four pillars – resources, construction, tourism and agriculture,” Mr Newman said.

“This expanded refinery is exactly the kind of project we support and exactly the kind of project that will get our State back on track.

“I congratulate Rio Tinto Alcan for working smarter as well as harder in a challenging operating environment to continue their commitment to Queensland.”

During the visit to Gladstone, Mr Newman also visited the Gladstone Ports Corporation and addressed a Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd Business Enterprise Luncheon.

[ENDS] 23 October 2012

Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500