Rio Tinto continues to position itself as a key player in the
global low-carbon economy
JONQUIÈRE, QC, June 28,
2024 /CNW/ - Decarbonizing the production of critical
minerals and metals is essential to achieving Canada's climate goals. Canada is the fourth-largest producer of
primary aluminum in the world. As a long-standing supplier of
strategic metals to the United
States and across the North American industrial supply base,
Canada must ensure that it can
continue to provide aluminum products to critical sectors such as
automotive and transportation, energy, and infrastructure. By
supporting clean technologies and advanced manufacturing, the
government will continue creating good middle-class jobs,
strengthening our economy and building a greener future for all
Canadians.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry,
welcomed Rio Tinto's plan to expand production capacity for
low-carbon aluminum in Canada.
This project is another key step in the implementation of the
groundbreaking ELYSIS™ smelting technology across Rio Tinto
operations in the province of Quebec.
Once fully developed and implemented, the ELYSIS™ technology
would eliminate almost all emissions associated with the Canadian
aluminum industry's smelting carbon footprint. The world-leading
net-zero aluminum smelting technology will reinvent the chemistry
of aluminum production by removing carbon from the chemical process
and producing only oxygen as an output.
Today's announcement represents another significant step forward
as the Government of Canada
continues to position Canada for
success with a cleaner, stronger and better-prepared economy—one
that is competitive in a low-carbon world.
Quotes
"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™
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."
– The Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
"At the heart of our government's economic plan is building an
economy where Canadian workers benefit. That is why we're seizing
the opportunities to decarbonize Canada's critical minerals and mining sector,
create good-paying jobs—especially union jobs—and ensure
Canadian workers and industry remain at the forefront of the global
economy."
– The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance
"ELYSIS™ is truly a disruptive technology for the industry, and
it's thanks to Quebec's expertise
that we are the first in the world to produce aluminum that is free
of greenhouse gases. It's a technological innovation with
unprecedented benefits for our aluminum industry, which remains an
undisputed world leader."
– Pierre Fitzgibbon, Quebec
Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible
for Regional Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the
Metropolis and the Montréal Region
"This investment will further strengthen Rio Tinto's
industry-leading position in low-carbon, responsible aluminum
production in North America with
our hydro-powered smelters and our recycling capacity. Becoming the
first to deploy the ELYSIS™ carbon-free smelting technology is
the next step in our strategy to decarbonize and grow our Canadian
aluminum operations. In addition to helping us deliver even
lower–carbon primary aluminum for our customers, this investment
will allow Rio Tinto to build its expertise in 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."
– Jérôme Pécresse, Chief Executive, Rio Tinto Aluminium
Quick facts
- With more than 10,000 employees working at over 35 sites across
Canada, Rio Tinto is one of the
most important metals and minerals producers operating in
Canada today.
- Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) is the Canadian subsidiary of the
multinational Australian mining company, the world's second-largest
aluminum producer outside of China. It has a significant presence in
Canada, sources 42% of its inputs
from Canadian suppliers, and exports products to approximately 16
countries. Quebec's
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region is central to RTA's aluminum
business and is responsible for approximately half of its global
aluminum production. RTA is also an important hydroelectricity
producer.
- The United States was
Canada's largest export
destination for aluminum products in 2022, accounting for 92% of
the total value of aluminum exports, followed by Mexico (3%), and Hong Kong (1%).
- Through the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and the Critical
Minerals Strategy, Canada is on
track to achieve its goal of cutting emissions by 40 to 45% below
2005 levels by 2030.
- To strengthen its alignment with the Paris Agreement, RTA
announced self-imposed greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets of
15% in 2025, 50% in 2030 and net zero by 2050.
- The Government of Canada has
provided funding to ELYSIS Limited Partnership, a joint-venture
technology partnership between Rio Tinto and Alcoa, to produce the
world's first true net-zero aluminum smelting technology.
- In October 2022, the government
announced up to $222 million in
funding through the Strategic Innovation Fund to help Rio Tinto Fer
et Titane, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, decarbonize and increase its
production of critical minerals, including lithium, titanium and
scandium.
Associated links
- Rio Tinto Canada
- Budget 2022 backgrounder: Clean Air and a Strong Economy
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan
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