
Rio Tinto has launched an industrial demonstration project aimed at evaluating the implementation of ore sorting technology at its Lac Tio mine in Havre-Saint-Pierre, Canada.
The company allocated a C$7.6m ($5.57m) investment for the initiative. The Government of Quebec will contribute C$2.5m through its Support Program for the Scale-up of Mineral Processing or Primary Transformation for Critical and Strategic Minerals, managed by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests.
The primary objective of this project is to test a technology that sorts ore at the source based on the content of titanium and scandium. These minerals are classified as critical and strategic, even in low-grade forms. By enhancing the efficiency of separating commercially viable rock from waste rock, the project seeks to minimise the volume of material transported between the mine and the Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Quebec Operations’ Metallurgical and Critical Minerals Complex located in Sorel-Tracy. This could lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and lower transportation and processing costs.
The demonstration will also evaluate potential improvements in the ore pre-treatment process at the Sorel-Tracy facility, enhance mineral resource management, and investigate methods for accessing previously deemed unprofitable sections of the deposit. This could prompt a reassessment of the mining plan and potentially extend the operational life of the mine.
The project will unfold in two phases. The first phase, set for 2025, will concentrate on engineering, the commissioning of the ore sorting circuit, and technological validation. The second phase, scheduled for 2026, will involve the integration of additional equipment to automate the process and produce multiple batches of enriched 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.”