Aluminium Plant Study

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 12

Aluminium Plant Study

(N.Z Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 16. A report on the problems and benefits associated with the establishment of an aluminium industry in New Zealand will : be made bv the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall) to the Government after his visit to . Australia next week. Mr Marshall left today fori Australia, leading New Zealand's delegation to the twenty-fourth session of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, which is being held this year in Canhprrji Mr Marshall will visit an aluminium processing factory in Sydney this afternoon, and on his return from Canberra will fly to Tasmania where he will visit the aluminium smelting plant at Bell Bay. His tour is important because of the negotiations between the Government and the Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation on the establishment of a smelter at Bluff using cheap Manapouri electricity to smelt alumina brought from Australia. It is now almost certain the Australian-based company will go ahead with its plans to build the multi-million dollar smelter. Comalco has until December 1 to take up its option with the Government on large blocks of Manapouri power.

The Government is examin ing the benefits New Zealand can derive from the smelter such as secondary industries which will process some ol the aluminium produced al Bluff. At the E.C.A.F.E. confer ence, there will be discussior

a- on the prospects for setting d up iron and steel industries r, in Asia and the Far East and >s for the establishment of if forest-based industries. it These are two areas in which New Zealand’s experience is likely to be of assistr’ ance to other member coun n tries.