Rio Tinto committed CAN$1.4 billion (US$1.1 billion) towards the expansion of its AP60 aluminium smelter, a low-carbon technology facility at Complexe Jonquière in Canada. The Quebec government pledged financial backing of up to CAN$150 million (US$113 million) for the project. This investment will offset the 170,000-tonne capacity set to be lost due to the phased closure of potrooms at the Arvida smelter from 2024. The expansion will integrate 96 new AP60 pots, boosting the capacity by around 160,000 metric tonnes annually, equivalent to the metal needed for 400,000 electric vehicles. The completion is projected by the end of 2026. Rio Tinto also plans to incorporate 30,000 tonnes of fresh capacity via the commissioning of a recycling facility at Arvida by early 2025. The AP60 technology, developed by Rio Tinto’s R&D, is notably efficient and environmentally friendly, especially when combined with hydropower. The project is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs during construction, maintaining approximately 100 permanent positions thereafter. CEO Jakob Stausholm highlighted the move's alignment with Rio Tinto's decarbonisation strategy, acknowledging the governments of Canada and Quebec for their support. Both governments are in collaboration with Rio Tinto for the implementation of the ELYSISTM zero-carbon smelting tech in Quebec. The investment for the AP60 expansion is included in Rio Tinto's 2023-2025 capital investment guidance.