A TBM has broken through to complete its journey for Rio Tinto’s Kemano T2 hydropower project in British Columbia. The Kemano T2 Project has completed a second tunnel to carry water into the Kemano Powerhouse, to ensure the long-term reliability of the power supply for Rio Tinto’s BC Works smelter in Kitimat.  

The TBM cut 7.6 km through the rock in remote mountains for over 30 months, completing the route for a 16 km tunnel that was started in the early 1990s. 

The TBM - built by Herrenknecht -  is named tl’ughus by the Cheslatta Carrier Nation after a legendary giant monster snake and is decorated with artwork by Haisla Nation students. The 1,300 t weight and 190 m long machine is more than 6 m in diameter.   

The tunnel will be filled up with water in the middle of next year, with the project expected to be complete in the second half of 2022. Click here for a video, and here for more detailed information in the tunnelbuilder archive. Visit https://www.riotinto.com. 41/21