Rio Tinto will donate $120,000 to support British Columbia wildfire response

KITIMAT, BC, Aug. 23, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Rio Tinto will donate $100,000 to Burns Lake and District Community Foundation, a non-profit group leading emergency relief effort in Burns Lake and Lakes District communities in North West British Columbia. Rio Tinto has also contributed $20,000 to the fire relief efforts of the Cheslatta Carrier First Nation to support its response to the wildfire emergencies.

Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Alf Barrios said: "We are making these donations on behalf of our employees to support the many people affected by the wildfires across British Columbia."

"Rio Tinto's Kitimat aluminium smelter and hydroelectricity facilities have been a part of the Northern British Columbia communities for more than 60 years. We wanted to provide support to local organisations that are on the front line supporting those people impacted by the wildfires."

"This is a stressful and challenging time for our region. We appreciate Rio Tinto's response to our call to help. Our community's resilience will get us through this disaster and with Rio Tinto's support, it will assist us through our efforts in recovery," said Bill Miller, Chair Regional District Bulkley Nechako.

Rio Tinto operates an aluminium smelter in Kitimat and hydroelectric power plant in Kemano. The Regional District of Bulkley Nechako is one of Rio Tinto's community partners in the Nechako watershed, which has been impacted by the wildfires.

Rio Tinto Aluminium Fund Canada

The wildfire donations are being made through the Rio Tinto Aluminium Fund Canada. Since its creation in 2008, the Fund has invested over C$10 million annually in major projects and initiatives that benefit communities around our operations.

Rio Tinto Canada : www.riotinto.ca/ 
Burns Lake Foundation: http://blcommunityfoundation.org/

Follow us on Twitter @RioTintoCanada
Follow us on Facebook @RioTintoCanada

SOURCE Rio Tinto

Matt Klar, Chief advisor, Media relations Canada & Americas, Rio Tinto, [phone], [email protected]; Claudine Gagnon, Manager, Media relations Canada & Americas, Rio Tinto, [phone], [email protected]