Rio Tinto begins construction of its new billet casting centre in Quebec

Rio Tinto has begun construction to increase its capacity to cast low-carbon, high-value aluminium billets by 202 000 t at its Alma, Quebec smelter.

The existing casting centre will be expanded to include new state-of-the-art equipment such as furnaces, a casting pit, coolers, handling, inspection, sawing and packaging systems. Commissioning is scheduled for the 1H25.

The CAN$240 million investment will allow more of Rio Tinto's aluminium production to be used to make billets from renewable hydroelectric power. This will allow Rio Tinto to be more agile and flexible in meeting the anticipated growing demand from North American extruders for a variety of high value-added products, primarily for the automotive and construction industries.

The project is expected to generate an estimated economic impact of more than CAN$200 million for Quebec, create approximately 40 new permanent jobs and help support the 770 existing jobs at the Alma smelter.

Sébastien Ross, executive director of Rio Tinto Aluminium's Atlantic operations, said: "This expansion of our low carbon billet casting capacity in Quebec will allow us to better meet our customers' growing demand for high quality alloys and value-added products made with renewable hydroelectricity. We are pleased to have started construction this spring as planned and to be able to rely on the expertise of qualified employees, world-class Quebec equipment manufacturers and our partners to bring this project announced last year to fruition.”

Learn more: Global Mining Review