Construction on a brand new alumina conveyor is underway at Rio Tinto’s Kitimat plant.
Ground broke on Tuesday after being announced in November.
This is replacing an existing conveyor built in the 1960s and approaching its end of life.
The new conveyor will have a 50-year life expectancy and is expected to transport 800,000 tonnes of raw alumina per year over a 1.1 kilometre route.
The project will cost the company more than $135 million and be operational by June 2025.
According to the company, this is the most substantial investment into this operation since the smelter’s modernization 10 years ago.