Rio Tinto begins operations at new scandium plant in Canada

Rio Tinto has commenced operations at scandium oxide demonstration plant at its Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. The plant is ramping up to production capacity of three tonnes of scandium oxide per year.

The $6 million project will use an innovative process to extract high purity scandium oxide from the waste streams of titanium dioxide production, without the need for any additional mining.

The Government of Quebec contributed approximately $650,000 through the Quebec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals.

Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium managing director Stéphane Leblanc said: “For the first time, customers will benefit from a North American supply of scandium oxide for applications in solid oxide fuel cells, lasers, lighting products or as an additive to produce high-performance alloys. In less than two years, we have gone from testing a process to extract this critical material in a lab to being able to supply approximately 20% of the global market. This is a testament to our team’s capacity to think outside the box and deliver on our commitments.”

Quebec Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonatan Julien said: “I am very pleased to see this major critical and strategic minerals project come to fruition in Quebec. It will help strengthen the security of our supply and add value to our industrial waste from the mining sector. It is also consistent with the government's vision of creating wealth in a greener economy. I wish Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium and the team at this new plant every success!”

The company is also well positioned to produce aluminium-scandium alloys to meet customer’s needs. In March, Rio announced an agreement to provide a first batch of high-performance aluminium-scandium alloy from its North American operations to Amaero.