2023-06-12 16:18:45
A new smelter will be built at Complexe Jonquière, in Saguenay. The overall project totals $1.4 billion and will produce 160,000 metric tons of aluminum with a lower carbon footprint annually. According to Rio Tinto, GHG emissions would be halved.
Quebec Premier François Legault made the announcement on Monday morning.
« Today, we reach an important milestone: the first major aluminum production project to see the light of day in over 10 years in North America. »
This announcement brings us closer to the deployment of the first ELYSIS pots, which will allow Quebec to be the leader in the production of aluminum without GHGs
said François Legault, who was notably accompanied by the Minister of Economy and Innovation, Pierre Fitzgibbon.
Forgivable loan
Financial assistance is granted in the form of a loan-subsidy in exchange for certain criteria set by Quebec, particularly in terms of job creation.
The new tanks were long overdue, as they are to replace aging technology. The life of the old vats had also been extended several times with the agreement of the Quebec government. The final deadline was set for 2025.
The installation of the new pots will have the effect of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by half, compared to the aluminum that was produced in the old pots of the Arvida plant.
As part of the agreement between Rio Tinto and the government, the mining giant will benefit from preferential hydroelectric tariffs, which will be similar to the L tariff, which the company already enjoys.
During the announcement, the Prime Minister was also accompanied by François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, who pointed out that this is the very first aluminum smelter built in the West for 10 years.
« For Quebec, it’s a resounding home run. »
The new tanks announced by Rio Tinto were long overdue, as they are to replace aging technology.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jonathan Lamothe
The minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, Andrée Laforest, and provincial and federal MPs for Jonquière, Yannick Gagnon and Mario Simard, were also on hand, as were the federal MPs for Lac-Saint-Jean, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc Québécois), and from Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, Richard Martel (Conservative Party). The mayoress of Saguenay, Julie Dufour, and the chief of the community of Mashteuiatsh, Gilbert Dominique, were also in the front row.
The CEO of Rio Tinto, Jakob Stausholm, was also present at the AP60 plant in the Jonquière Complex to participate in the press conference.
The new Rio Tinto factory will be built next to the AP60 technology facilities.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jonathan Lamothe
The director of the Arvida and AP60 factories at Rio Tinto, Jean-François Leblanc, welcomed the announcement, which he had been hoping for for a long time.
About seven years ago I was appointed to manage the Arvida plant and regarding four years ago the AP60 plant was integrated into my organization. I’ve dreamed of this moment for a long time and, to be honest, not so long ago I didn’t think I was going to be able to live it.
said the director.
Soon ELYSIS
Another partnership should soon be concluded between Quebec and Rio Tinto surrounding the deployment of ELYSIS green technology from the company’s regional facilities.
Today’s announcement will breathe new life into this industry with greener and less polluting processes. Using AP60 pots will halve GHG emissions in aluminum production. With the upcoming ELYSIS technology, Quebec wants to become the world champion in green aluminum
argued François Legault.
Minister Andrée Laforest believes that the investments will help make the region a real strategic center for the production and transformation of carbon-neutral aluminum
.
By generating major investments and consolidating around 100 quality jobs, this project will breathe new life into the economic development of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
she said.
The aluminum industry in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean represents 4,000 direct jobs (Rio Tinto) and 2,000 indirect jobs (subcontractors).
Three pre-fired pot rooms will remain in service following 2025. The first new pots will be operational in early 2026. The government authorized this approach in order to protect jobs.
We want to have a harmonious transition of the workforce. We also want to protect our place on the American market
explained Sébastien Ross, executive director of Atlantic operations at Rio Tinto.
2025, but that is to be discussed with the government, with our partners. However, also to ensure a smooth transition of the workforce, we will begin the closure probably as early as mid-year.2024. So there may be some rooms that would be closed before2025.”,”text”:”Of course the potroom closing sequence will be greatly dictated by the commissioning of AP60, he added. What we think is that probably up to three potrooms might be used beyond 2025, but that is to be discussed with the government, with our partners. However, also to ensure a smooth transition of the workforce, the closure will probably begin in mid-2024. So there may be some rooms that would be closed before 2025.””>It is certain that the closing sequence of the potrooms will be greatly dictated by the commissioning of AP60, he added. What we think is that probably up to three potrooms might be used beyond 2025, but that is to be discussed with the government, with our partners. However, also to ensure a smooth transition of the workforce, we will begin closing probably as early as mid-2024. So there may be some rooms that would be closed before 2025.
Union not worried regarding jobs
The president of the National Union of Aluminum Employees of Arvida (SNEAA), Donat Pearson, had been waiting for this announcement for a long time. He is not worried regarding jobs, but warns Rio Tinto management that the union is watching the grain.
jobs for the expansion of AP60, but there are still other projects around it, such as recycling and ELYSIS, which are coming up. There are opportunities to transfer manpower to take care of it […]. It’s a major investment that we’ve been working with the employer for a long time to get this announcement”,”text”:”We’re talking regarding 100 jobs for the expansion of AP60, but there are still other projects around , such as recycling and ELYSIS, which are coming. There are opportunities to transfer manpower to take care of it […]. It is a major investment that we have been working for a long time with the employer to have this announcement””>We are talking regarding 100 jobs for the expansion of AP60, but there are still other related projects, such as recycling and ELYSIS, which are coming up. There are opportunities to transfer manpower to take care of it […]. It is a major investment that we have been working for a long time with the employer to have this announcement
commented the union leader.
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