Diversified miner Rio Tinto has announced a $165-million (C$226-million) investment in its Grande-Baie smelter, located in Quebec.
The investment aims to refurbish two anode baking furnaces that have reached the end of their operational lifespan.
The company will also carry out feasibility studies for the eventual replacement of the scrubbers and overhead bridge cranes at the anode production centre.
The refurbishment project, which involves rebuilding the concrete shell and refractory lining of the anode baking furnaces, is scheduled to be carried-out over a two-year period, from 2025 to 2026.
The upgraded equipment will ensure a competitive supply of anodes to the Grande-Baie and Laterrière plants for decades to come.
To mitigate the carbon emissions associated with the construction project, Rio plans to implement various environmental initiatives, such as planting trees near the aluminium smelter.
‘‘The refurbishment of the Grande-Baie smelter’s anode baking furnaces is a major investment that will ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of responsible aluminium production in the region for decades to come and will generate significant economic benefits,” commented Grande-Baie and Laterrière operations director Martin Lavoie.
Most of the economic benefits associated with the project will be generated in Quebec. At the peak of the project, about 185 workers should be on site.
Rio completed the replacement of its anode baking furnaces at the Alma aluminium smelter in 2021.