Increased investment for low-carbon AP60 aluminium production
(Posted on 18/11/21)
Rio Tinto is investing US$87 million to increase its low-carbon aluminium production in Canada with 16 new smelting cells at its AP60 smelter, in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec.
The investment will increase production at the smelter by around 45 per cent, or 26,500 metric tonnes of primary aluminium per year, to a capacity of 86,500 metric tonnes and provide a secure future for approximately 100 employees who work at the facility.
Rio Tinto projects that the global aluminium market will grow at an average rate of 3.3% per annum over the next decade with strong demand driven by the energy transition and decarbonisation.
Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Ivan Vella said: "Rio Tinto is committed to strengthening its position as a leader in low-carbon, hydro-powered aluminium production to meet the clear demand from our customers in North America and Europe. Our AP60 technology is one of the most energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective systems in commercial production today. It produces some of the world’s lowest carbon aluminium with renewable hydropower here in Quebec. We are assessing options for further investments, as we progress development of the ELYSIS™ zero carbon smelting technology with our partners."
The new pots will be built in the existing building of the Complexe Jonquière’s AP60 technology centre, which currently has 38 pots. Work will begin in the spring of 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. At the same time, Rio Tinto will study the potential to add more AP60 cells at the site.
The AP60 technology was developed by Rio Tinto's research and development teams, including the Arvida Research and Development Centre, and generates seven times less greenhouse gases than the industry average. Since their commissioning in Saguenay in 2013, the initial AP60 technology pots have produced more than 465,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium.
Latest News
GSC launches mining advisory division, strengthening global investment capabilities
(Posted on 10/11/25)GSC (Global Strategic Commodities) has announced the launch of its dedicated mining advisory division... Read more
SSAB issues first green bonds amounting to SEK2,800m
(Posted on 10/11/25)SSAB AB has successfully issued its inaugural green bonds under its EUR 2 billion EMTN programme, dated... Read more
Anglo American publishes shareholder circular for merger with Teck
(Posted on 10/11/25)On 9 September 2025, Anglo American plc and Teck Resources Limited announced that they had reached an... Read more
Bunge closes agreement to acquire NWT grain elevator assets
(Posted on 04/11/25)Bunge has successfully closed its purchase agreement for the grain elevator assets of North West Terminal... Read more
NGFA applauds Senate committee for advancing Grain Standards Act reauthorisation
(Posted on 27/10/25)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the USA has applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee... Read more
Rio Tinto announces board changes.
(Posted on 24/10/25)As Rio Tinto previously reported, the size of its Board peaked at 14 Directors during a transitional... Read more
ADM advances quality capabilities with new central milling laboratory
(Posted on 24/10/25)ADM , a global leader in human and animal nutrition, has celebrated the opening of its new Central Milling... Read more
Bunge announces reporting segment changes and recast outlook
(Posted on 20/10/25)Bunge Global SA has announced that it has changed its segment and volume reporting to align with the... Read more
Open Trade Coalition calls for bold and open EU trade policy
(Posted on 20/10/25)As the European Parliament prepares for the confirmation hearings of the new Commissioners, the Open... Read more
Rio Tinto Q3 results show strong production across the portfolio
(Posted on 14/10/25)Multinational mining company, Rio Tinto, has releases its third quarter 2025 production results showing... Read more
