Diversified miner Rio Tinto has started operations at a new commercial-scale demonstration plant to produce high-quality scandium oxide at its Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) metallurgical complex, in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec.
The $6-million project, in which the government of Quebec contributed about $650 000 through the Quebec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals, was completed on time and within budget, less than six months after the start of construction.
The plant uses an innovative process developed by RTFT to extract high-purity scandium oxide from the waste streams of titanium dioxide production, without the need for any additional mining.
Commissioning work is now being undertaken as production ramps up to a capacity of 3 t/y of scandium oxide. RTFT is already considering further investments to install additional modules in line with market demand.
“For the first time, customers will benefit from a North American supply of scandium oxide for applications in solid oxide fuel cells, lasers, lighting products or as an additive to produce high-performance alloys,” said Rio Tinto iron and titanium MD Stéphane Leblanc.
“In less than two years, we have gone from testing a process to extract this critical material in a lab to being able to supply approximately 20% of the global market. This is testament to our team’s capacity to think outside the box and deliver on our commitments.”