The first AP60 cell has been delivered to Rio Tinto Alcan’s Arvida AP60 Technology Centre, located in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec.
“This is a momentous day for Rio Tinto Alcan. With the new generation of AP60 cells, metal production per cell will be 40 per cent higher than in other existing smelters”, declared Étienne Jacques, chief operating officer, Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal, North America.
The arrival of the first AP60 cell at the plant is a significantmilestone. Indeed, the AP60 technology will become an aluminium industry benchmark due to its operating costs, energy consumption, and environmental performance.
“This is all the more significant because the cell was built right here in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, by Charl-Pol Saguenay, a company that will deploy the leading edge technology around the world. First metal is expected at the plantin 2013”, added Mr. Jacques.
Note that Phase I of the Arvida AP60 Technology Centre is the launching pad for the next series of AP electrolytic cells, which makes Rio Tinto Alcan a leader in aluminium electrolysis technology. Phase I will see the commissioning of 38 cells in 2013, with a yearly aluminium production capacity of 60,000 tonnes. Construction of this first phase of the project, a US$1.1 billion investment, currently involves 900 employees. Rio Tinto Alcan invests one million dollars per day in the project. Production capacity could reach 460,000 tonnes in the upcoming phases, which are currently under study.
For further information, check the full press release here.