REG - Rio Tinto - RT to install carbon free aluminium smelting cells

Rio TintoAnnouncement

28/06/2024 15:00

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RNS Number : 4186U  Rio Tinto PLC  28 June 2024

 

Notice to
ASX/LSE

 

Rio Tinto to install carbon free aluminium smelting cells using first
ELYSIS(TM) technology licence

28 June 2024

 

MONTRÉAL, Canada - Rio Tinto will install carbon free aluminium smelting
cells at its Arvida smelter in Québec, Canada, using the first technology
licence issued by the ELYSIS joint venture. This investment will support the
ongoing development of the breakthrough ELYSIS(TM) technology and allow Rio
Tinto to build expertise in its installation and operation.

 

Rio Tinto will design, engineer, and build a demonstration plant equipped with
ten pots operating at 100 kiloamperes (kA). The plant will be owned by a new
joint venture in which Rio Tinto and the Government of Québec, through
Investissement Québec, will invest $179 million (CAN$235 million) and $106
million (CAN$140 million) respectively as equity partners, for a total
investment of US$285 million (CAN$375 million).

 

This facility will use the same technology that has been successfully
demonstrated at the ELYSIS Industrial Research and Development Center in
Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean. This pilot operation will be a critical step in Rio
Tinto's learning journey towards full scale industrialization of the
ELYSIS(TM) technology.

 

The plant will have the capacity to produce up to 2,500 tonnes of commercial
quality aluminium per year without direct greenhouse gas emissions, with first
production targeted by 2027. It will be located adjacent to the existing
Arvida smelter, allowing the use of the current alumina supply and casting
facilities.

 

Rio Tinto Aluminium Chief Executive Jérôme Pécresse said: "This investment
will further strengthen Rio Tinto's industry-leading position in low-carbon,
responsible aluminium in North America with our hydro-powered smelters and our
recycling capacity. Becoming the first to deploy the ELYSIS(TM) carbon-free
smelting technology is the next step in our strategy to decarbonize and grow
our Canadian aluminium operations. In addition to delivering even lower-carbon
primary aluminium for our customers, this investment will allow Rio Tinto to
build its expertise on installing and operating this new technology, while the
ELYSIS joint venture continues its research and development work to scale it
up to its full potential."

 

Québec Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy; Minister for Regional
Economic Development; and Minister for the Metropolis and the Montreal Region,
Pierre Fitzgibbon, said: "ELYSIS(TM) is a truly disruptive technology for the
industry, and it's thanks to Quebec expertise that we are the first in the
world to produce GHG-free aluminium. This is a technological innovation with
unprecedented benefits for our aluminium sector, which remains an undisputed
world leader."

 

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Innovation,
Science and Industry, said: "Canada has all it takes to be the global green
supplier of choice, which is why our government is collaborating with key
industry actors like Rio Tinto to produce low carbon aluminium. Groundbreaking
projects such as the ELYSIS(TM) smelting technology will ensure Canada remains
at the forefront of the economy of tomorrow while also staying focused on its
carbon reduction goals. When economic benefits are paired with a commitment to
developing green solutions, it's a win for Canadian industry, our cleantech
ecosystem and our workers."

 

ELYSIS joint venture partner Alcoa will have the option to purchase from Rio
Tinto a portion of the aluminium produced over the first four years at the
Arvida demonstration plant through an offtake agreement.

 

The joint venture is continuing its research and development program to scale
up the ELYSIS(TM) technology and has completed the construction of larger
prototype 450 kA cells at the end of an existing potline at Rio Tinto's Alma
smelter. ELYSIS has begun commissioning these industrial prototype cells, with
the start-up sequence set to begin in 2024.

 

 

Contacts

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

 

 

 

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This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Andy Hodges, Rio
Tinto's Group Company Secretary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

riotinto.com

 

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