Rio Tinto to invest $51 million in upgrading its Vaudreuil alumina refinery at Quebec

Rio Tinto, the world’s second-largest miner, is reportedly investing $51 million in upgrading facilities at its Vaudreuil alumina refinery in Quebec, Canada. According to the report, three new energy efficient buildings are under construction. Besides, existing facilities will be revamped with a centralised control room, offices, and common areas.

The project is expected to be completed in early 2021, aiming to improve employee safety and optimise operations at the Saguenay region’s plant built in 1936.

 Two year ago, Rio promised to invest C$250 million to extend the life of the operation past 2022, including the construction of a filtration plant on site to manage bauxite waste. The plant will also make cement out of the smelting process leftover to promote circular economy initiatives, said Rio earlier this month.

Rio has recently also created a new product called Alextra, in partnership with Geocycle Canada and leading construction materials Lafarge Canada. The product is made from used potlining, which is a by-product of aluminium electrolysis process that would otherwise go to landfill, the company said.

Rio Tinto is the only primary aluminum producer in North America to process its industrial residue into an inert by-product.