Rio Tinto Alcan to Quicken Pilot Plant

Rio Tinto Alcan plans to speed up a pre-feasibility study for two additional phases of a pilot plant, taking advantage of the company’s next-generation AP50 smelter technology, at Saguenay in Quebec, said the company. Preparatory work on the first 60,000tpy stage has started. The new study will evaluate another 140,000tpy of capacity with a second stage and a third stage lifting capacity to 400,000tpy. The investment is expected totaling at $2.0-2.5 billion. Rio Tinto Alcan is also considering an expansion of the Alma smelter, which would add 150,000-180,000tpy of capacity to the plant’s existing 415,000tpy capacity. The $1-billion project is expected to be completed in 2011. Besides, Rio Tinto Alcan is projecting a modernisation and expansion of its 277,000tpy Kitimat smelter in British Columbia. This $2.5-billion project would add 125,000tpy of capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40%, which is also planned to be completed in 2011. COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of WAM News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of WAM.