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| Rio Tinto |
Rio Tinto, a leading global mining group, has announced plans to investigate the potential for gallium extraction in Canada. This strategic move is poised to enhance North America's supply chain resilience for critical minerals, particularly in light of recent trade tensions.
Expanding North American Capacities in Critical Metals
The company is currently assessing the feasibility of extracting gallium from bauxite processed at its alumina refinery in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec. This initiative underscores Rio Tinto's commitment to valorizing additional resources within its operations and follows the Chinese government's recent decision to suspend exports of gallium to the United States. Given that China is the world's largest gallium producer, this development has significant implications for the global supply chain, especially for industries dependent on semiconductors and solar panels.
Demonstrating Technological and Environmental Leadership
Following the preliminary technology development phase, Rio Tinto plans to establish a demonstration plant in Canada with the capacity to produce up to 3.5 tonnes of gallium per year. This facility not only aims to showcase the company's innovative extraction techniques but also has the potential to scale up to 40 tonnes per year, which would account for 5-10% of global gallium production.
Jerome Pecresse, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Aluminium, highlighted the project's broader goals: "The research and development project aims to help strengthen the North American supply chain for critical and strategic minerals." This initiative reflects the growing importance of securing stable and environmentally responsible sources of critical raw materials.
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