Ore sorting demonstration project at Havre-Saint-Pierre mine launched
(Posted on 15/06/25)
Rio Tinto is investing CA$7.6 million in an industrial demonstration project to assess the integration of an ore sorting technology at its Lac Tio mine located in Havre-Saint-Pierre. The Government of Quebec will contribute CA$2.5 million to this initiative through its Support Program for the Scale-up of Mineral Processing or Primary Transformation for Critical and Strategic Minerals, administered by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests.
The project aims to test a technology that will allow the sorting of ore directly at the source based on titanium and scandium content, two minerals considered critical and strategic, even at low grades. By separating commercially exploitable rock from waste rock more efficiently, this method could reduce the amount of material transported between the mine and Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Quebec Operations’ Metallurgical and Critical Minerals Complex in Sorel-Tracy, contributing to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and the costs associated with transporting and processing ore.
Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium and Diamonds’ Managing Director Sophie Bergeron said: “The use of ore sorting technology represents a tangible opportunity to optimise our processes right from the extraction stage, allowing us to maximise value from our resources, while reducing the emissions associated with transporting and processing ore. The support from the Government of Quebec highlights the key role that Rio Tinto plays in the critical and strategic minerals production essential to the energy transition. It’s also a unifying project for our employees, the community of Havre-Saint-Pierre and the community of Ekuanitshit, with whom we share a desire to evolve our practices in a responsible manner.”
Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region and the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region Maïté Blanchette Vézina said: “Our government is proud to support Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium in its ore valorisation project. In addition to encouraging innovation through the creation of new processes or the improvement of existing ones, this type of initiative helps accelerate the transformation of critical and strategic minerals in Quebec, reinforcing the province’s position as a global leader. In a complex geopolitical context and growing global demand for minerals, we must seize these opportunities to advance Quebec’s mining projects.”
Latest News
Pilbara production record as Rio Tinto releases Q2 results
(Posted on 16/07/26)Rio Tinto has driven performance to achieve 3% YoY CuEq1 growth in the first half of 2026.Chief Executive... Read more
Record iron ore production helps strengthen BHP growth pipeline
(Posted on 16/07/26)BHP have released its Operational Review for the year ended 30 June 2026.Chief Executive Officer, Brandon... Read more
Stranded sulphur cargoes in Gulf face mounting corrosion risk, warns Brookes Bell
(Posted on 07/07/26)Bulk carriers carrying elemental sulphur cargoes in the Strait of Hormuz are at significant risk of... Read more
BHP and Faraday Copper sign definitive San Manuel agreement
(Posted on 06/07/26)Further to BHP’s announcement in February, BHP, through a wholly owned subsidiary, has executed... Read more
Urea price dive hits Australian grain suppliers
(Posted on 03/07/26)Australia’s Federal Government's fertiliser support package has come under scrutiny as global... Read more
SSAB pauses work at construction site in Luleå
(Posted on 30/06/26)SSAB has once again paused work at the construction site for its new steel mill in Luleå, Sweden... Read more
Trafigura issues USD500 million senior bond
(Posted on 29/06/26)Trafigura Group Pte Ltd. has announced the issuance of a USD500 million senior Reg S bond with a five... Read more
NGFA welcomes Senate Farm Bill proposal
(Posted on 29/06/26)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the USA has welcomed the release of Senate Agriculture... Read more
Agreement paves way to deliver 2.7 million tonnes of additional copper production
(Posted on 25/06/26)Anglo American plc, through its 50.1%-owned subsidiary, Anglo American Sur S.A., and Codelco, have announced... Read more
SSAB and partners launch closed loop steel recycling initiative in US
(Posted on 24/06/26)SSAB Americas, The Greenbrier Companies and Alter Trading are partnering on a circular economy project... Read more
