Operator George Copeland taps metal from a pot in potline one during a tapping run to reach the magic million tonnes on July 21, 1986 .

Tomago residents being shown the aluminium smelter at Kurri Kurri on July 27, 1980. PIcture: David Johns

A worker in the Alcan plant Kurri Kurri in 1974.

An interior view of the new potroom at Alcan aluminium smelter, Kurri Kurri.

Extensive testing is done in the fully equipped laboratory at the Alcan aluminium smelter at Kurri Kurri. April 16, 1979.

Bulk ships supply bauxite to the port of Newcastle, where is is trucked to the Alcan aluminium smelter at Kurri Kurri in 1969

The casting plant at the Alcan aluminium smelter at Kurri Kurri. Extrusion ingots being made on the direct chill machine, where rapid solidification takes place through the water cooled moulds on April, 16, 1979.

Men with 15 years service at Alcan aluminium smelter, Kurri Kurri. Shown left to right are Tom Moorcroft, George Tweedie, Frank Dawson, Dennis Corr, Derrick Hopper, Len Thomas, Malcolm Knight and Harry Wallace on August 1, 1984. Picture: David Johns

Aerial view of the Alcan aluminium smelter at Kurri Kurri taken on May 24,1988.

A view of a stockpile of primary aluminium ingots awaiting shipment at Alcan Australia Limited's Kurri Kurri smelter.

The interior of the third potline before its start-up at the Alcan aluminium smelter at Kurri Kurri on May 28, 1985.

Construction of Alcan aluminium's third potline in December 1983. Picture: Ken Robson

Alcan announced a $20 million upgrade of the Kurri Kurri aluminium smelter.Acting works manager Malcolm Knight with plant operator Ian Jeffrey, on March 31 1994. Picture: Waide Maguire.

Alcan aluminium smelter, Kurri Kurri on May 7,1974.

Alcan aluminium smelter at Kurri Kurri may shut down due to strike. Mr Dennis Corr, smelter manager standing at the centre of the dispute - the number one potline, on October 24, 1985. Picture: Quentin Jones

Alcan aluminium smelter workers Geoff Logan, Rick Madden, Geoff Baker, Adrian "Spider" Stahlenhoef and Gary Brown with publican Tony Ginty at the Chelmsford Hotel, Kurri Kurri, on 30 October 1991. Picture John Herrett.

Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri acting works manager Malcolm Knight with some of the carbons. Alcan announces a $20 million upgrade of the plant. 31 March 1994 pic Waide Maguire.

A section of the completed number 3 potline, Alcan aluminium smelter at Kurri Kurri. October 1984.

Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri. Holding furnace. 18 October 1969.

Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri. Personnel officer Les Jordan with the piles of applications for apprenticeships. November 20, 1991. Picture Waide Maguire

Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri - apprentice training officers Graham Perry, Greg Tweedie and Mark Bower with apprentice fitter and turners in the background on January 17, 1991. Picture Eddie Cross

Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri. Les Covey, casting plant operator supervises the pouring of 5 kilo foundry ingot for the alloy wheel market.

Healthy workers scheme - Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri. Glen Williams and Kevin Morris on 16 May 1995.

Alcan aluminium smelter acting works manager Malcolm Knight with scrap at the scrap recycling centre on April 28 1984. Picture: John Herrett

Casting plant no LTI for 1 year. Left to right: Graham Waller, furnace man, Terry Turner, the chairman of Safety Committee, Tony Duggan, technician, Norman Phelps, leading hand, Peter Daley, furnace man, Barrie Haigh, casting department manager, on March 19, 1992. Picture: Eddie Cross

Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri - No. 3 potline, October 1984

Peter Marshall works to repair electrical wiring that was damaged ofter a pot of molten aluminium broke open. Fire damage can be seen at back. Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri on September 10, 1992. Picture: Eddie Cross

Alcan aluminium smelter emplyees Alex Trotmar and Graeme Graham, who have 25 years service to the company, on August 3, 1995. Picture: Kylie Dawson

Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri. Les Covey, casting plant operator supervises the pouring of 5 kilo foundry ingot for the alloy wheel market.

Wagner saw operator Terry Mosman looks over the extrusion ingots being loaded. Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri on May 5,1995. PIcture: Waide Maguire

Apprentice fitter and machinist Craig McLennon from Cessnock working in the hydraulic testing room, Alcan aluminum smelter at Kurri Kurri on July 19. 1994. Picture: Ken Robson

Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri - Ken Jordan, process operator with castings on April 19. 1989. Picture: John Herrett

Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri - Ken Jordan, process operator with castings. April 19, 1989. Picture: John Herrett

A potline worker at the Alcan aluminium smelter Kurri Kurri on April 19, 1989: Picture: John Herrett