Diversified miner Rio Tinto and Aymium have formed a new joint venture (JV) named Évolys Québec to manufacture a renewable metallurgical biocarbon product to reduce carbon emissions in large-scale industrial processes. This biocarbon, sourced from biomass residues, offers an alternative for anthracite currently used in ilmenite smelting processes at Rio Tinto’s metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec.

The JV will be established on the site of a former pulp and paper mill in Thurso. The Québec government selected Rio Tinto and Aymium to jointly revitalise these assets.

The proposed facility will use Aymium’s proprietary technology to locally produce high-quality biocarbon – a raw material in high demand, essential to fulfilling Rio Tinto’s commitments to decarbonisation. Rio Tinto has already observed promising results with the technology through the use of materials produced by Aymium at its metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy.

“Decarbonisation is at the core of Rio Tinto's strategy, and the Évolys JV provides us with a unique opportunity to produce local biocarbon, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of our Québec operations,” said  Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium and Diamonds MD Sophie Bergeron.

“We are pleased to be working with the government of Québec to give a second life to the former Fortress site in Thurso and look forward to collaborating with local communities and our partner, Aymium, to develop a project that will not only benefit the environment but also reinvigorate the regional economy.”

Aymium CEO James Mennell added that it was a fantastic opportunity for Aymium to expand its partnership with Rio Tinto through Évolys and develop a new project in Québec, in addition to its current developments in the US.

“Aymium is actively offering their products to several customers in Canada, and we see a great potential to expand the usage of biocarbon across many industries.”

Évolys will lease the portion of the pulp and paper mill that will be revitalized. Both partners are committed to advancing products and technologies that go beyond the conventional use of biocarbon as a substitute for fossil fuels.

“The Évolys Québec project will enable a sustainable revival of the former Fortress site. It's a new beginning with a technology that both decarbonizes our economy and adds value to the region's forest residues,” said Québec Economy, Innovation and Energy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbo.