A newly commissioned plant that uses an exclusive technology that allows it to treat about 80,000 tonnes of spent potlining per year was formally inaugurated recently by Rio Tinto Alcan in Saguenay, Quebec, Canada. 
Developed by Rio Tinto Alcan’s Arvida Research and Development Centre (ARDC), the technology will also enable the plant to treat potlining from other Quebec aluminium producers. The facility creates 50 new jobs.
Spent potlining is a material that is removed periodically from the electrolytic cells used to produce aluminium. It is made up of carbon and other products, and is normally pre-treated before being disposed of in highly controlled conditions. The new process renders the spent potlining completely inert and provides the global aluminium industry with a sustainable solution.
The event was attended by over 200 representatives of the regional community, government officials, employees and management.
“I am delighted to help celebrate the inauguration of this leading-edge facility for treating spent potlining,” said Tom Albanese chief executive officer of Rio Tinto. “This investment and others we are making here will yield sustainable benefits for both Rio Tinto and the region, while securing Quebec’s position at the crossroads of the global aluminium industry.”
“Rio Tinto Alcan prides itself on having developed an environmentally sustainable, innovative and economically competitive solution for treating spent potlining that may well become the industry standard,” said Dick Evans, chief executive of Rio Tinto Alcan.
“The process not only renders the material inert, it also enables us to reuse some of the by-products within our alumina refining operations. In collaboration with our partners, we will continue our research aimed at the full recycling of by-products generated by the smelting process.”
“The start-up has been progressing well since April, respecting the initial timetable,” added Jacynthe Cote, president and chief executive officer of the Rio Tinto Alcan primary metal business unit. “We are very proud of this accomplishment and are encouraged to have the breakthrough technology fully and safely operational. This project has been possible thanks to the tremendous effort of Rio Tinto Alcan Research and Development.”
Cote also expressed gratitude for financial support extended by the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and in particular, the Technology Partnerships Canada programme.”
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London- and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Rio Tinto’s business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.