Rio Tinto has started commissioning of its US$1.5 billion AP60 smelter expansion at Arvida in Quebec, Canada.
The start-up, which began in March, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 with all 96 new pots operating.
This will increase the plant’s production capacity by approximately 160,000 metric tonnes of primary aluminium annually for a total of 220,000 metric tonnes produced with the AP60 technology.
The AP60 expansion, together with the planned aluminium recycling centre at Arvida, will offset the loss of production associated with the closure of the older Arvida potrooms, which is expected to be completed in June.
The expansion will directly support 100 permanent jobs locally and help consolidate positions across the supply chain.
During its peak construction period, more than 1,500 jobs were created and the project generated more than $1 billion in economic benefits for Quebec province through spending with contractors and suppliers.
Developed by Rio Tinto’s Research and Development teams, the company said AP60 technology is among the most efficient and lowest carbon technology currently available, at commercial scale.
According to the company, when combined with the hydropower used at Rio Tinto’s operations in Canada, it generates a sixth of the greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of aluminium, when compared with the industry average, and half the emissions of the technology currently used at the adjacent older Arvida smelter.
It will also an expected reduction of up to 90% in fine particulate matter.
Rio Tinto Aluminium & Lithium Chief Executive Jérôme Pécresse said: “For 100 years, Quebec has been at the heart of the aluminium industry, and with AP60, Rio Tinto is now strongly positioned for decades to come with one of the most advanced smelting technologies operating at commercial scale.
“This milestone brings into production the first major primary aluminium project in the West in more than a decade and demonstrates Rio Tinto’s ability to deliver world-class, low-carbon technologies.”
Premier of Quebec Christine Fréchette said: “Despite the economic uncertainty related to US tariffs, today’s inauguration once again demonstrates that our government and Rio Tinto believe in Quebec’s potential.
“Today, we are securing the future of Quebec’s aluminium industry by ensuring the modernisation and gradual decarbonisation of a sector that is vital to our economy.”
