Rio Tinto starts Quebec lithium concentration plant
(Posted on 01/10/22)
Rio Tinto has started producing spodumene concentrate, a mineral used in the production of lithium for batteries, at a demonstration plant in its Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium (RTIT) Quebec Operations in its metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy, Canada.
The plant will demonstrate at industrial scale a new spodumene concentration process that provides lithium oxide (Li20) grades and recoveries well above the industry average. The process was developed by researchers at Rio Tinto’s Critical Minerals and Technology Centre and tested on spodumene ore samples from various countries. It offers the environmental benefit of not using chemical products and generating only dry, inert residues.
RTIT Managing Director Stéphane Leblanc said: “Rio Tinto is exploring new, sustainable ways to extract battery materials for the energy transition. We are seeing strong interest in the market for a North American supply of spodumene concentrate to support production of lithium batteries. Our demonstration plant will allow us to further validate the innovative spodumene concentration process developed at our Critical Minerals and Technology Centre as we consider moving to commercial scale production.”
The demonstration plant was commissioned in June after successful laboratory testing of the new process and produced its first ton of spodumene concentrate in July 2022. It will test ore from various local suppliers including Sayona, an emerging lithium producer with projects in Québec and Western Australia.
Latest News
SSAB invests $74 Million to expand steel production in Alabama
(Posted on 07/05/25)Highly-specialised global steel company, SSAB has announced a significant investment of approximately... Read more
GGC welcomes new Canadian government and urges farm priorities action
(Posted on 01/05/25)Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has welcomed Prime Minister Mark Carney and all Members of Parliament... Read more
US Soybean growers disappointed in 2;4-D Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties vote
(Posted on 30/04/25)The International Trade Commission in the USA has voted in favour of imposing final anti-dumping (AD... Read more
Ukraine already sown two million hectares of spring grains
(Posted on 28/04/25)As of April 25, 2025, farmers in all regions of Ukraine have sown 2M hectares (ha) of spring grain and... Read more
Condobolin rail upgrade fast-tracks NSW grain
(Posted on 25/04/25)GrainCorp’s rail site at Condobolin, in the heart of central west New South Wales, Australia,... Read more
Rio Tinto and AMG assess low-carbon aluminium project in India
(Posted on 22/04/25)Rio Tinto and AMG Metals & Materials (AMG M&M), an energy transition solutions provider, have... Read more
BHP record iron ore and copper production demonstrates resilience
(Posted on 22/04/25)BHP has released its Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2025.BHP Chief Executive... Read more
WTO: Trump’s tariffs will shrink global trade
(Posted on 16/04/25)The volume of world merchandise trade is expected to decline by 0.2% in 2025 under current conditions... Read more
$235million syndicated loan agreement to boost UAE trade with Trafigura
(Posted on 15/04/25)In a strategic move to empower UAE exporters and advance the nation’s economic diversification... Read more
Anglo American update on sale of steelmaking coal business to Peabody
(Posted on 15/04/25)Anglo American plc has noted the recent statement issued by Peabody Energy in relation to the definitive... Read more
