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Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Rio Tinto launches ore sorting demonstration project at its Havre-Saint-Pierre mine
HAVRE-SAINT-PIERRE, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rio Tinto is investing CA$7.6 million in an industrial demonstration project to assess the integration of an ore sorting technology at its Lac Tio mine located in Havre-Saint-Pierre. The Government of Quebec will contribute CA$2.5 million to this initiative through its Support Program for the Scale-up of Mineral Processing or Primary Transformation for Critical and Strategic Minerals, administered by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests. The project aims to test a technology that will allow the sorting of ore directly at the source based on titanium and scandium content, two minerals considered critical and strategic, even at low grades. By separating commercially exploitable rock from waste rock more efficiently, this method could reduce the amount of material transported between the mine and Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Quebec Operations' Metallurgical and Critical Minerals Complex in Sorel-Tracy, contributing to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and the costs associated with transporting and processing ore. Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium and Diamonds' Managing Director Sophie Bergeron said: 'The use of ore sorting technology represents a tangible opportunity to optimise our processes right from the extraction stage, allowing us to maximise value from our resources, while reducing the emissions associated with transporting and processing ore. The support from the Government of Quebec highlights the key role that Rio Tinto plays in the critical and strategic minerals production essential to the energy transition. It's also a unifying project for our employees, the community of Havre-Saint-Pierre and the community of Ekuanitshit, with whom we share a desire to evolve our practices in a responsible manner.' Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region and the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region Maïté Blanchette Vézina said: 'Our government is proud to support Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium in its ore valorisation project. In addition to encouraging innovation through the creation of new processes or the improvement of existing ones, this type of initiative helps accelerate the transformation of critical and strategic minerals in Quebec, reinforcing the province's position as a global leader. In a complex geopolitical context and growing global demand for minerals, we must seize these opportunities to advance Quebec's mining projects.' This full-scale industrial demonstration will also allow the assessment of potential optimisations of the ore pre-treatment process at the Sorel-Tracy plant, improve mineral resource management, and explore options for accessing parts of the deposit that were previously considered unprofitable. This has the potential to allow consideration of a review of the mining plan and extension of the mine's lifespan. The project will be deployed in two phases. In 2025, the activities will focus on engineering, the commissioning of the ore sorting circuit and technological validation. In 2026, additional equipment will be integrated to automate the process and produce multiple batches of enriched ore.
Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
$6.2M for Matagami Transshipment Yard Upgrade
MATAGAMI, QC, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Quebec, through the Société du Plan Nord, is granting $6.2 million in repayable assistance for the Matagami transshipment yard infrastructure upgrade project. This will make it possible to carry out significant civil engineering works as well as enable the acquisition and installation of new railway equipment necessary to serve mining companies in the Nord-du-Québec region. The Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Minister responsible for the Société du Plan Nord, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, made the announcement today, alongside Denis Lamothe, Member of the National Assembly for Ungava. The total project cost is $9.2 million. Two mining project partners in the region, Rio Tinto and Nemaska Lithium, will contribute $3 million to the site's multi-user infrastructure. The investment from the Government of Quebec and the mining companies will primarily enhance the capacity, reliability and efficiency of transporting ore to markets. As a result, the City of Matagami will be involved in the logistics chain of critical and strategic mineral projects in development. Quotes: "Upgrading the infrastructure of the Matagami transshipment yard is a strategic lever for economic development in northern Quebec. By providing rail service to emerging mining projects, particularly in the lithium sector, we are making a real contribution to the development of the critical minerals industry. Quebec is often cited as an example around the world. This announcement reflects our strong commitment to enhancing wealth creation through the development of this attractive and dynamic sector, particularly in the current context." Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Minister responsible for the Société du Plan Nord "This project to modernize the Matagami transshipment yard will contribute to the economic development of our region. It will also support various mining projects in development." Denis Lamothe, Member of the National Assembly for Ungava "The Matagami transshipment yard is a strategic link in the logistics chain for the mining projects in development. By supporting this upgrade, we are supporting the City's desire to make it a real driver of economic growth for the region, to the benefit of our communities." Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for the Nord-du-Québec region Highlights: The upgrades will take place from late May to late October 2025. Excavation and site preparation works will begin in the coming weeks. The rehabilitation of existing tracks and construction of new rail lines will then follow. The City of Matagami's project aligns with Key direction 1 of the Government of Quebec's Northern Action Plan 2023–2028: "Increase connectivity to the territory". It also meets Objective 2.3 of the Quebec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals 2020–2025: "Improve multi-user infrastructure and access corridors to CSM resources" by optimizing access to resources. The mission of the Société du Plan Nord is to contribute to the integrated and coherent development of northern Quebec, in accordance with the guidelines defined by the government. This is done in consultation with representatives of the regions and Indigenous nations concerned, as well as the private sector. Related links: Follow the Société du Plan Nord on social media: X LinkedIn SOURCE Cabinet de la ministre des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts Contacts: Émilie Savard, Media relations officer, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Minister responsible for the Société du Plan Nord, Tel: 367-990-8473; Miriam Audrey Lessard-Légaré, Policy adviser, Office of the Member of Parliament for Ungava, Tel: 581-579-6784; Ève Vaisberg, Media relations officer, Office of the Minister of Labour and the Minister responsible for the Nord-du-Québec region, Tel: 263-362-3605; Information: Eric Duchesneau, Communications advisor, Société du Plan Nord, Tel: 418-643-1874, ext. 66406
Los Angeles Times
31-01-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Drone pilot agrees to plead guilty in collision that grounded aircraft fighting Palisades fire
A man who was piloting a drone that collided with a firefighting aircraft on the Palisades fire has agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor, pay a fine and complete community service, federal prosecutors said Friday. Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, of Culver City was charged with a count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft. He faces up to a year in federal prison, prosecutors said. The drone, which authorities say was flying in restricted airspace on Jan. 9, put a fist-sized hole in the wing of a Super Scooper — a massive fixed-wing plane that can drop large amounts of water onto a fast-moving fire. The collision knocked the plane was out of commission for about five days and destroyed the drone. As part of the plea agreement, Akemann agreed to pay full restitution to the Government of Quebec, which supplied the plane, and an aircraft repair company that repaired the plane. It cost at least $65,169 to repair the plane, prosecutors said. Akemann also agreed to complete 150 hours of community service in support of the 2025 Southern California wildfire relief effort. 'This defendant recklessly flew an aircraft into airspace where first responders were risking their lives in an attempt to protect lives and property,' Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally said in a press release. The wind-driven Palisades fire raged for days in Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities, burning 23,400 acres, killing 12 people and destroying more than 6,800 properties, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Temporary flight restrictions were put in place across portions of Southern California as the firestorms tore through Los Angeles County. Those restrictions mean that all aircraft not involved in wildfire suppression operations have to get permission to enter the airspace. Officials said no permission had been given at the time the drone collided with the plane. Drones flying in the fire zone were a persistent problem as firefighters battled the Palisades fire. Aerial footage of the devastation wrought by the blaze went viral on social media, but was frequently criticized by officials and others who said the drones were jeopardizing the fire fight. 'This is not just harmless fun. This is incredibly dangerous,' Chris Thomas, public information officer for the Palisades fire, told the Times this month after the Super Scooper was hit. 'Seriously, what if that plane had gone down? It could have taken out a row of homes. It could have taken out a school.' The crash—and the flouting of the flight restriction by others—prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a stern warning against flying drones near wildfires. 'It's a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to interfere with firefighting efforts on public lands,' the FAA said. 'Additionally, the FAA can impose a civil penalty of up to $75,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations' during a temporary flight restriction. Drones flying in wildfire zones has been an issue for the FAA and fire officials for at least a decade. In 2019, the U.S. Forest Service reported there were at least 20 unauthorized drone flights over or near wildfires in seven states, including California. Flights resulted in aerial firefighting operations being temporarily shut down nine times that year, according to the forest service. 'This damage caused to the Super Scooper is a stark reminder that flying drones during times of emergency poses an extreme threat to personnel trying to help people and compromises the overall ability of police and fire to conduct operations,' McNally said. 'As this case demonstrates, we will track down drone operators who violate the law and interfere with the critical work of our first responders.' The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has spent weeks investigating the cause of the Palisades fire. From the beginning, there has been speculation an 8-acre blaze that fire officials thought they had put out on Jan. 1 in the same area reignited and spread because of intense winds, or a new fire was somehow sparked nearby that morning. But sources said this week no conclusion had been made and it was still a possibility the fire was sparked on Jan. 7. Times staff writers Terry Castleman and Grace Toohey contributed to this report
