Rio Tinto is investing US$1.1Bn to expand its aluminium smelter in Quebec, with US$113M in funding support from the Quebec Government. 

Rio Tinto, along with the Canadian government, will invest in the expansion of its AP60 smelter in Quebec. The AP60 technology was specifically developed by Rio Tinto’s Research and Development team as an alternative low-carbon aluminium smelting technology. The investment will see the expansion of a total of 134 AP60 pots and 220kt of primary aluminium per year, while concurrent closure of its Arvida smelting potrooms is expected. Moreover, the commissioning of recycling operations by 2025 will add an additional 30ktpy of green aluminium capacity for the Quebec operations.

Carbon emissions associated with the aluminium industry represent an estimated 4% of global emissions. Aluminium demand is predicted to grow by 30% of its current size over the next decade and with growing concerns surrounding carbon emissions, the industry is necessitating innovation and the adoption of more efficient smelting technologies.

In addition to the US$113M project funding, the Canadian Government has also supported the collaborative research and development of the ELYSIS technology by ALCOA and Rio Tinto, which looks to eliminate carbon emissions from aluminium smelting altogether. These types of investments and the continued support of the Canadian government towards such projects represent a step towards the decarbonisation of the sector. Furthermore, in keeping with the decarbonisation strategy, Rio Tinto and the Canadian Government have also signed a memorandum of understanding to improve low-carbon supply chains for primary metals.