Aluminium smelting

BC Works (Kitimat) smelter reduces production following strike

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 26, 2021

Rio Tinto has begun reducing production at its BC Works aluminium smelter in Kitimat, Canada due to a strike initiated by the Unifor Local 2301 union after negotiations failed to reach a new collective labour agreement.

Key Points: 
  • Rio Tinto has begun reducing production at its BC Works aluminium smelter in Kitimat, Canada due to a strike initiated by the Unifor Local 2301 union after negotiations failed to reach a new collective labour agreement.
  • Production will be reduced to around 35 per cent of the smelters 432,000 tonne annual capacity, so that it can safely be operated by staff and employees required under an essential services order granted by the BC Labour Relations Board.
  • A reduced workforce is also in place to ensure the Kemano hydro-power facility continues to run safely.
  • Rio Tinto employs approximately 1,050 people at the BC Works smelter and Kemano powerhouse, including around 900 employees represented by Unifor Local 2301.

Investment to help Canada's aluminum industry eliminate its carbon footprint

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Zero-carbon aluminum smelting is the kind of innovation that will help achieve both Canada's economic and climate change goals.

Key Points: 
  • Zero-carbon aluminum smelting is the kind of innovation that will help achieve both Canada's economic and climate change goals.
  • Once fully developed and implemented at Canadian aluminum smelters, ELYSIS' technology would almost eliminate the Canadian aluminum industry's smelting carbon footprint, eliminating as much as 7million tonnes of carbon emissions per year, which represents 1% of Canada's overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  • The investment strengthens local manufacturing capabilities, integrating local workers and supply chains in the shift toward a greener and more resilient aluminum industry in Canada.
  • This investment will foster innovation, create good jobs here in Quebec and help support the future competitiveness of Canada's aluminum industry."

Alcoa Exploring Technology to Further Reduce Carbon Emissions in Alumina Refining

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 20, 2021

Alcoa of Australia is currently conducting technical and commercial studies to adapt MVR technology to refining.

Key Points: 
  • Alcoa of Australia is currently conducting technical and commercial studies to adapt MVR technology to refining.
  • \xe2\x80\x9cUsing lower carbon alumina in the smelting process will reduce the overall carbon footprint of the metal, too, when considering the indirect and direct emissions across bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminum smelting and casting.\xe2\x80\x9d\nThe MVR technology powered by renewable energy could reduce an alumina refinery\xe2\x80\x99s carbon footprint by 70 percent.
  • The technology also has the potential to significantly reduce water use in the refining process by capturing water vapor that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere.\nAlcoa of Australia has filed provisional patent applications in Australia for the use of MVR technology in the alumina refining process.
  • All statements by Alcoa Corporation that reflect expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.

Alcoa Announces Multi-Year Repowering for Australia’s Portland Aluminium Smelter in State of Victoria

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 18, 2021

Alcoa Corporation today announced new agreements with multiple power generators for the Portland Aluminium Smelter in the Australian state of Victoria.

Key Points: 
  • Alcoa Corporation today announced new agreements with multiple power generators for the Portland Aluminium Smelter in the Australian state of Victoria.
  • On behalf of the Portland Aluminium joint venture partners, I recognize everyones cooperation and dedication in reaching the energy agreements that help to improve the smelters competitiveness, said Alcoa President and CEO Roy Harvey.
  • As a stable baseload energy consumer, the smelter will continue to provide important market stability as more renewables enter the system.
  • Their work is integral to todays announcement, which is a fantastic outcome for them, their families and the Portland community.

PyroGenesis Receives $194 K Grant to Develop a Waste Recovery Process by Plasma Gasification That Will Significantly Contribute to Landfill and Climate Change Control Efforts

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 17, 2021

PyroGenesis is working in partnership with the largest aluminum smelter in the Americas, Aluminerie Alouette, a company based in Sept-les, Quebec.

Key Points: 
  • PyroGenesis is working in partnership with the largest aluminum smelter in the Americas, Aluminerie Alouette, a company based in Sept-les, Quebec.
  • Currently, the various solutions for recycling and recovering these hazardous materials on a global scale are limited and expensive.
  • If successful, this project will be another PyroGenesis offering aimed at improving the environment through landfill and GHG reduction.
  • The Companys core competencies allow PyroGenesis to provide innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace.

Alcoa to Consider Next Steps for the San Ciprián Smelter in Spain

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 17, 2020

Alcoa Corporation announced today that it will halt curtailment plans for its San Ciprin aluminum smelter in Spain while it reviews a court decision related to a collective dismissal process.

Key Points: 
  • Alcoa Corporation announced today that it will halt curtailment plans for its San Ciprin aluminum smelter in Spain while it reviews a court decision related to a collective dismissal process.
  • The alumina refinery at San Ciprin was not included in the consultation.
  • The need to restructure the San Ciprin smelter persists due to significant and permanent structural issues.
  • All statements by Alcoa Corporation that reflect expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.

Alcoa Earns New Certifications From the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) at Three Additional Locations in Europe

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Alcoa Corporation today announced that three more of its operating locations have earned certifications from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), the industrys most comprehensive system for third-party validation of sustainable manufacturing processes.

Key Points: 
  • Alcoa Corporation today announced that three more of its operating locations have earned certifications from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), the industrys most comprehensive system for third-party validation of sustainable manufacturing processes.
  • The Company now has earned Performance Standard certifications for 13 sites, including three bauxite mines, five alumina refineries, and five aluminum smelters and casthouses.
  • Also, ASI recently added additional Alcoa sites that are covered by the organizations Chain of Custody (CoC) standard, which enables the Company to market products with ASIs certification.
  • Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI said: We congratulate Alcoa on these three ASI Performance Standard Certifications in Europe.

Global Pitch Coke Market 2019-2023 | Advances in Mining Industry to Boost Growth | Technavio

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191029005864/en/
    Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global pitch coke market 2019-2023.
  • This will have a positive influence on the growth of the global pitch coke market.
  • The advances in the mining industry are expected to foster the growth of the global pitch coke market over the forecast period.
  • This market report segments the global pitch coke market by application (aluminum smelters, graphite electrodes, and others) and geography (Americas, APAC, Europe, and MEA).

Alcoa’s Baie-Comeau Smelter in Québec Receives Certification From Aluminium Stewardship Initiative

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 3, 2019

Alcoa Corporation, a global leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum, today announced that the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has certified the Companys Baie-Comeau aluminum smelter in Qubec, Canada.

Key Points: 
  • Alcoa Corporation, a global leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum, today announced that the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has certified the Companys Baie-Comeau aluminum smelter in Qubec, Canada.
  • The three-year certification from ASI represents additional recognition for Alcoas leadership in sustainability.
  • This latest ASI certification demonstrates our ongoing commitment to operate in a responsible manner while bringing long-lasting value to our stakeholders.
  • The certification process includes independent, third-party auditors to verify responsible production, sourcing and stewardship as part of ASIs standards.

Three Alcoa-Operated Locations Receive Certifications From Aluminium Stewardship Initiative

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Alcoa Corporation, a global leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum, today announced that the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has certified three Alcoa-operated locations, one in each of the Companys three business units.

Key Points: 
  • Alcoa Corporation, a global leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum, today announced that the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has certified three Alcoa-operated locations, one in each of the Companys three business units.
  • The ASI certifications are valid for three years and include the Juruti bauxite mine in Brazil, the Alumar alumina refinery near So Lus, Brazil, and the aluminum smelter in San Ciprin, Spain.
  • ASI is a global sustainability certification program for the aluminum industry, representing both upstream producers and downstream manufacturers who use the metal in their products.
  • The certification process includes independent, third-party reviewers to verify responsible production, sourcing and stewardship as part of ASIs standards.