Rio Tinto begins construction of its Alma smelter expansion to boost high-value aluminium billets capacity

According to a report on Thursday, April 12, Rio Tinto has started the construction work for a capacity increase to casting low-carbon, high-value aluminium billets by 202,000 tonnes at Alma smelter, Quebec.

Rio Tinto is expanding its existing casting centre to include new state-of-the-art equipment such as furnaces, a casting pit, coolers, handling, inspection, sawing and packaging systems. The newly expanded centre is scheduled to begin operation in the first half of 2025.

The report states the project involves an investment of C$240 million. It also states the facility will use renewable hydroelectric power to make aluminium billets.

Rio Tinto expects the expansion will make the company more capable of meeting the anticipated growing demand for aluminium billets from North American extruders for use in high-value-added products, primarily for the automotive and construction industries.

The project is expected to create about 40 new permanent jobs, support 770 existing jobs at the Alma smelter, and create a positive economic growth of more than $200 million in Quebec.

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."