Rio Tinto Starts Commissioning $1.5 Billion Aluminum-Smelter Expansion
By Katherine Hamilton
Rio Tinto started commissioning its $1.5 billion AP60 smelter expansion in Quebec, Canada.
The Canadian mining company said Friday the move marks a milestone for the deployment of its aluminum-smelting technology.
The start-up, which began in March, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 with all new 96 pots operating, Rio Tinto said.
This will increase the plant's production capacity by about 160,000 metric tons of primary aluminium each year, for a total of 220,000 metric tons produced with the AP60 technology.
The AP60 technology is a low-carbon technology which generates fewer greenhouse-gas emissions per ton of aluminum than the industry average.
The expansion, along with the planned aluminium-recycling center at Arvida, are expected to more than offset the loss of production from the closure of older Arvida portrooms. The closures are set to be completed in June.
The expansion will also support 100 permanent jobs and help consolidate positions across the supply chain. More than 1,500 jobs were created during peak construction.
Write to Katherine Hamilton at katherine.hamilton@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 29, 2026 12:12 ET (16:12 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.The articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.
Morningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.
Morningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.
Popular
4 Stocks to Buy Before They Rise Further
2 Undervalued Stocks to Buy Before They Rebound
The 10 Best Companies to Invest in Now
The 10 Best Dividend Stocks
United States