Rio Tinto is now offering independently certified responsibly produced aluminum from all of its Canadian operations, with the extension of the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Chain of Custody certification to include the BC Works smelter and Kemano Power Operations in Kitimat, British Columbia.

The certification provides independent verification that material can be traced through a chain of custody spanning Rio Tinto’s Gove bauxite mine in Australia to its alumina refinery, aluminum smelters and casthouses in Québec and British Columbia, Canada.

ASI certification means customers can be assured the aluminum purchased through Rio Tinto’s Canadian operations has been produced to the highest environmental, social and governance standards.

Rio Tinto has led the establishment of responsible production certification for the aluminum industry as a founding member of the ASI, working alongside customers and a broad range of stakeholders.

Rio Tinto launched the industry’s first certified low carbon aluminum, RenewAl, in 2016.

In 2018, Rio Tinto was the first company to receive the ASI’s first Performance Standard certification—the highest internationally recognized standard for robust environmental, social and governance practices— and Chain of Custody certification, covering five aluminum smelters, the Vaudreuil refinery, casting centers, port and railway facilities in Quebec, Canada.

The BC Works smelter and Kemano Power Operations received certification against the Performance Standard in January 2019 and have now been included in the Chain of Custody certification.

Rio Tinto is now working with the ASI on audits and certifications for other sites in its global aluminum business.

The ASI is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards setting and certification organization. It works toward responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminum following an entire value chain approach. ASI launched its Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard in December 2017.

ASI’s 60+ members include leading civil society organisations, companies with activities in bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminum smelting, semi-fabrication, product and component manufacturing, as well as consumer and commercial goods, including the automotive industry, construction and packaging, as well as industry associations and other supporters.