Latest news with #JérômePécresse
National Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Rio Tinto extracts first gallium from its alumina refining process with partner Indium Corporation
Article content SAGUENAY, Canada — Rio Tinto and its new partner Indium Corporation have successfully extracted the first primary gallium as part of a research and development project, which ultimately aims to produce commercial quantities of the critical and strategic mineral present in the bauxite processed in Rio Tinto's Vaudreuil alumina refinery in Quebec, the only one in Canada. Article content Article content This preliminary step was done in Indium Corporation's research and development facility located in Rome, New York. Article content The next phase of the project involves the assessment of extraction techniques to enable the production of larger quantities of gallium at pilot-scale. If successful, Rio Tinto plans to build a demonstration plant in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, financially supported by the government of Quebec, with a capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes of gallium per year. The transition to a commercial-scale plant could see production reach 40 tonnes annually, representing between 5 and 10% of current world gallium production. Article content Jérôme Pécresse, Chief Executive, Rio Tinto Aluminium, said: ''We are very proud to announce this significant milestone in our important research and development project to extract gallium from our aluminium operations in Quebec. Together, through this innovative partnership, Rio Tinto and Indium Corporation strive to strengthen the North American supply chain for gallium, a critical and strategic mineral.'' Article content Ross Berntson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Indium Corporation, added: 'This achievement is a major milestone, reflecting our dedication to global industrial needs by ensuring a sustainable supply of gallium. Our joint efforts are positioning North America as a leader in critical material production.' Article content Primary gallium is used in key sectors including the manufacture of integrated circuits vital to modern technologies such as high-performance radar, smartphones, electric cars and laptops. Gallium is produced in limited quantities globally with only an estimated 600 metric tonnes per year, all from outside North America. Article content In addition to aluminium, copper, iron ore and titanium dioxide, Rio Tinto already produces a wide range of critical minerals in its North American facilities, including scandium used in aluminium alloys, tellurium for solar panels, lithium for EV batteries and molybdenum for steel alloys. Other research and development initiatives are ongoing to evaluate the possibility of extracting new materials from the company's existing operations and reinforcing the supply chain for these materials. Article content Article content Article content Article content Media Relations, United Kingdom Matthew Klar M +44 7796 630 637 David Outhwaite M +44 7787 597 493 Article content Media Relations, Australia Matt Chambers M +61 433 525 739 Michelle Lee M +61 458 609 322 Rachel Pupazzoni M +61 438 875 469 Article content Media Relations, Canada Simon Letendre M +1 514 796 4973 Malika Cherry M +1 418 592 7293 Vanessa Damha M +1 514 715 2152 Article content Media Relations, US Jesse Riseborough M +1 202 394 9480 Article content Investor Relations, United Kingdom Rachel Arellano M: +44 7584 609 644 David Ovington M +44 7920 010 978 Laura Brooks M +44 7826 942 797 Weiwei Hu M +44 7825 907 230 Article content Investor Relations, Australia Tom Gallop M +61 439 353 948 Amar Jambaa M +61 472 865 948 Article content Rio Tinto plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 Article content Rio Tinto Limited Level 43, 120 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 Article content Article content
Korea Herald
17-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Rio Tinto and AMG Metals & Materials to assess low-carbon aluminium project in India
LONDON, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rio Tinto and AMG Metals & Materials (AMG M&M), an energy transition solutions provider, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly assess the feasibility of developing an integrated low-carbon aluminium project powered by renewable energy in India. AMG M&M is promoted by the two founders of Greenko and AM Green. Together, the parties will consider the potential development of up to a 1 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) primary aluminium smelter and 2 Mtpa of alumina production, both powered by renewable wind and solar energy firmed by pumped hydro storage. The development will comprise a study to evaluate a potential first phase 500,000 tonnes per annum primary aluminium smelter in a favourable location in India. Rio Tinto Aluminium Chief Executive Jérôme Pécresse said: "This study is an important step in our ambition to grow our global, low-carbon aluminium footprint while exploring new project delivery approaches and opportunities in emerging markets. Partnering with AMG Metals & Materials enables us to assess how we can develop low-cost responsible aluminium production powered by renewable energy. With its rapid economic growth and strategic position, India is a compelling location for this potential project and aligns with our long-term vision for a globally more diverse and resilient aluminium business." As part of the study, AMG M&M will examine a firmed renewable energy solution with Greenko, while Rio Tinto will explore a commercial alumina solution. The study will also assess smelting technology options to determine the most cost-effective solution for the project. Group President of AMG Metals & Materials and Greenko Mahesh Kolli said: "Over the last few years, we have been able to deliver a multitude of decarbonization solutions comprising electricity, molecules, chemicals and fuels. We are excited to expand that further to the materials space. This MOU could deliver much needed low-carbon metal at scale to propel decarbonization initiatives in global supply chains across auto, construction, consumer packaging and many more segments." About AMG Metals & Materials AMG Metals & Materials is incorporated by Anil Chalamalasetty and Mahesh Kolli, the founders of Greenko Group, one of India's leading energy transition solutions providers, and AM Green, a global decarbonization solution provider. Greenko has a near-term operational renewable energy capacity of 10 GW across solar, wind and hydro and is building 100 GWh of single cycle storage capacity across India. AM Green is developing low-carbon ammonia projects across multiple locations in India with a goal to reach 5 Mtpa of green ammonia capacity by 2030. Its first plant currently under construction in Kakinada with a projected capacity of 1 Mtpa of green ammonia will be one of the world's largest RFNBO compliant green ammonia facilities, supporting efforts to achieve net zero targets both in India and OECD markets. AM Green is also developing production capabilities for other net zero molecules and chemicals including green caustic soda, e-methanol, olefins & biofuels for decarbonization in hard to abate industries. Further information at
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rio Tinto and AMG Metals & Materials to assess low-carbon aluminium project in India
LONDON, April 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rio Tinto and AMG Metals & Materials (AMG M&M), an energy transition solutions provider, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly assess the feasibility of developing an integrated low-carbon aluminium project powered by renewable energy in India. AMG M&M is promoted by the two founders of Greenko and AM Green. Together, the parties will consider the potential development of up to a 1 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) primary aluminium smelter and 2 Mtpa of alumina production, both powered by renewable wind and solar energy firmed by pumped hydro storage. The development will comprise a study to evaluate a potential first phase 500,000 tonnes per annum primary aluminium smelter in a favourable location in India. Rio Tinto Aluminium Chief Executive Jérôme Pécresse said: "This study is an important step in our ambition to grow our global, low-carbon aluminium footprint while exploring new project delivery approaches and opportunities in emerging markets. Partnering with AMG Metals & Materials enables us to assess how we can develop low-cost responsible aluminium production powered by renewable energy. With its rapid economic growth and strategic position, India is a compelling location for this potential project and aligns with our long-term vision for a globally more diverse and resilient aluminium business." As part of the study, AMG M&M will examine a firmed renewable energy solution with Greenko, while Rio Tinto will explore a commercial alumina solution. The study will also assess smelting technology options to determine the most cost-effective solution for the project. Group President of AMG Metals & Materials and Greenko Mahesh Kolli said: "Over the last few years, we have been able to deliver a multitude of decarbonization solutions comprising electricity, molecules, chemicals and fuels. We are excited to expand that further to the materials space. This MOU could deliver much needed low-carbon metal at scale to propel decarbonization initiatives in global supply chains across auto, construction, consumer packaging and many more segments." About AMG Metals & Materials AMG Metals & Materials is incorporated by Anil Chalamalasetty and Mahesh Kolli, the founders of Greenko Group, one of India's leading energy transition solutions providers, and AM Green, a global decarbonization solution provider. Greenko has a near-term operational renewable energy capacity of 10 GW across solar, wind and hydro and is building 100 GWh of single cycle storage capacity across India. AM Green is developing low-carbon ammonia projects across multiple locations in India with a goal to reach 5 Mtpa of green ammonia capacity by 2030. Its first plant currently under construction in Kakinada with a projected capacity of 1 Mtpa of green ammonia will be one of the world's largest RFNBO compliant green ammonia facilities, supporting efforts to achieve net zero targets both in India and OECD markets. AM Green is also developing production capabilities for other net zero molecules and chemicals including green caustic soda, e-methanol, olefins & biofuels for decarbonization in hard to abate industries. Further information at
CBC
02-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Canada's steel industry is bracing for tariff pain. Aluminum? Not so much
Social Sharing In the on-again, off-again talk of tariffs on Canadian products being sold into the United States, Jérôme Pécresse has advice for his industry: "Be patient, be calm, be agile." Pécresse is chief executive of aluminum for Rio Tinto, which includes overseeing the company's Canadian smelter operations. Though most of those are in Quebec, where Pécresse is based, this past week he paid a visit to Kitimat, on B.C.'s North Coast, where a Rio Tinto aluminum smelter employs roughly 1,100 people in the community of just over 8,000. But, Pécresse said, no one in the community should be worried about losing their job. While Canadian steel producers say they have already felt the imapct of tariff threats with more pain to come, their aluminum-making counterparts remain relatively sanguine. "Obviously it's a concern," Pécresse said, speaking to CBC Daybreak North host Carolina de Ryk, saying ultimately markets prefer stability. But he also pointed out that since every other aluminum-producing country that sells to the United States is getting hit by the same tariffs, Canada's position remains strong. "If everybody's taxed the same, it's probably something that's not going to materially change our volumes... into the U.S. market." Pécresse's confidence is borne out in the numbers: Unlike steel, which has near-parity when it comes to Canada-U.S. trade, the United States' dependence on Canada for aluminum is stark: the U.S. imports more than three times as much aluminum from Canada as it exports. According to World Bank data, the U.S. is the world's largest aluminum importer, with the bulk coming from its northern neighbour. And U.S.-based buyers know it: Jean Simard, CEO of the Aluminum Association of Canada, says most contracts between Canada and the United States have a clause built in agreeing that the American company purchasing Canadian aluminum will pay whatever tariffs are put in place. In fact, when Trump imposed aluminum tariffs during his first term, Canadian companies saw their value spike, prompting one person in the industry to describe it as the president writing "a cheque for $600 million to Canadian aluminum producers," as roughly half a billion in value flowed northward. Further, the U.S. doesn't have much in the way of options for domestic production: it's estimated that just one Canadian smelter comes close to equalling the entire output of the U.S. industry. WATCH | How aluminum tariffs could impact Canada's economy: How tariffs on Quebec's massive aluminum exports could have ripple effects across the economy 30 days ago Duration 2:57 While the province's second largest industry has a built-in firewall against President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S., the complexity of the aluminum-related trade relationship between Quebec and the U.S. means effects will still be felt. One reason for that is the cost of electricity in the United States compared to Canada, a key component in running a smelter. Quebec and B.C. have access to cheap hydropower to run their plants, U.S. producers do not. Mario Simard and Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc Québécois MPs for the Jonquière and Lac-Saint-Jean ridings which have thousands of aluminum jobs, told Radio-Canada that the Canadian hydropower advantage can't easily be replicated. "A dam can't be folded," Simard said in a French-language interview. "It can't be put in a suitcase, moved south of the border." Brunelle-Duceppe said it was tough to understand what Trump hoped to gain for the U.S.-based industry by tariffing Canadian aluminum, given the realities of the industry. "Aluminum smelters closed in the United States because, precisely, it costs too much energy," he said in French. That sentiment has been echoed by U.S. aluminum producers, including Pittsburgh-based Alcoa, which also operates in Canada. CEO Bill Oplinger was quoted by Reuters warning a mining conference that he expects tariffs to cost the U.S. aluminum industry roughly 20,000 jobs. "It's bad for American workers," Oplinger is reported as saying, adding that he's lobbied for an exception for Canadian aluminum. He said without cheaper electricity in the United States, there's no way for that country's aluminum industry to compete with Canada's, even with the addition of tariffs. And in Kitimat, Pécresse said Rio Tinto has the added bonus of easy access to Asian markets through the Port of Prince Rupert. None of this means there won't be any impact on Canadians as a result of aluminum tariffs. Like steel, aluminum is passed back and forth across the border during the production of products like cars or construction materials. As a result, tariffs will increase the product end-price for consumers. And companies that sell or buy products with aluminum will also be hit when making cross-border sales — such as beer cans and lids that are made in the U.S. using Canadian aluminum and then imported back across the border by B.C. beer makers. But for those involved in the production of aluminum itself, industry leaders say, it should be business as usual.
