• Rio Tinto has become the first North American producer of scandium oxide
• Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium managing director Stéphane Leblanc said that production of scandium oxide is a key milestone in the development of a secure supply of scandium
• BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale has launched global challenge to decarbonize mining

Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) has been successful in producing high purity scandium oxide, which is a critical element having multiple usage. This has been produced at RTFT’s commercial scale demonstration plant in Sorel-Tracy. Rio Tinto has become the first North American producer of scandium oxide, which is a critical mineral and is notably used in solid oxide fuel cells as well as in aluminium alloys.

Commissioning activities related to production has been completed and Rio Tinto team is focusing on ramping up production.  At its peak plant will produce three tonnes of scandium oxide per year, which will be equivalent to 20% of the global market. Innovation and sustainability is at the core of the production process which focusses on extraction of high purity scandium oxide from the titanium dioxide waste without any additional mining.

Rio Tinto is also focussing on near-term expansion options to increase production capacity in line with market demand. Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium managing director Stéphane Leblanc said that production of scandium oxide is a key milestone in the development of a secure supply of scandium. Production demonstrates Rio Tinto’s ability to de-risk the global supply chain for its dependency on critical mineral. Mr Leblanc congratulated employees for making the project possible from design to commercial production within a period of two years. Mr Leblanc further emphasised that this achievement will help in establishing Rio Tinto as key supplier in the global scandium market

Scandium oxide is a critical material which is used as input for improving the performance of fuel cells. These fuel cells are used as a power source for data centres and hospitals, Fuel cells are also used in certain niche products such as lasers, lighting in stadiums and studios. Scandium oxide is also used for producing high-performance alloys used in defence, aerospace and 3D printing industries.

BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale has launched global challenge to decarbonise mining. This involves developing solutions and accelerating commercialisation of charging large electric haul trucks and to ascertain the market for these solutions in mining.

World’s eight leading companies have been selected under the project. Selected companies include ABB, Ampcontrol and Tritium (Australia), BluVeinXL, DB Engineering & Consulting with Echion Technologies, Hitachi, Shell Consortium, Siemens Off-board power supply, and 3ME Technology. Selected companies will be working with.

BHP, Rio Tinto, and Vale and 16 other mining companies for accelerating commercialisation of interoperable solutions for safely delivering electricity to large battery-electric off-road haul trucks. If succeeded, this technology will help in reducing emissions and enhancing mining productivity.

Staff Galactik Views