PLANS FOR SMELTER

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30576, 20 October 1964, Page 3

PLANS FOR SMELTER

Invercargill Optimism (N.Z. Press Association) INVERCARGILL, Oct. 19. The Mayor of Invercargill (Mr N. L. Watson) returned to Invercargill tonight convinced that Comalco Industries, Pty., Ltd., still intends to establish a large aluminium smelter in Southland using power from the Manapouri scheme.

However, said Mr Watson, establishment of a smelter of the size envisaged (100,000 tons a year) depended on the world demand for aluminium remaining at its present increasing level. He said chief officials of Conzinc Riotinto, of Australia, and Comalco had assured him that Comalco still adhered to its original objective which was to develop Weipa bauxite deposits, to develop an alumina plant at Gladstone, in Queensland, and to establish a smelter near Bluff drawing power from Manapouri. The smelter here, said Mr Watson, would be designed to supply a world market. Its production could not be absorbed in Australia and New Zealand alone.

Mr Watson has spent 10 days in Australia holding talks with Comalco and Conzinc officials. He was sent by the city council, at Its expense to maintain contact with the aluminium industry. It was felt within the city council that contact must be maintained so the council could, if necessary, plan for the advent of an aluminium smelting industry near the city.