{"id":81498,"date":"2023-07-13T04:18:59","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T04:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalroadtechnology.com\/\/?p=81498"},"modified":"2023-07-13T04:18:59","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T04:18:59","slug":"rio-tinto-and-sumitomo-target-green-aluminium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalroadtechnology.com\/rio-tinto-and-sumitomo-target-green-aluminium\/","title":{"rendered":"Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Target Green Aluminium"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Corporation will build a $111 million hydrogen pilot plant in Gladstone, Queensland. <\/span>Aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the aluminium smelting process, the QLD facility was co-funded to the tune of $32 million by the federal government\u2019s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).<\/span><\/p>\n

Hydrogen will replace natural gas in a portion of the Yarwun refinery, directly reducing carbon emissions by about 3,000 tonnes per year.<\/span><\/h3>\n

If the entire Yarwun plant transitions to green hydrogen, 500,000 tonnes of carbon emissions could be eliminated annually \u2013 the equivalent of taking about <\/span>109,000<\/b> internal combustion engine cars off the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

The project will include the construction of a 2.5MW on-site electrolyser supplying hydrogen to Yarwun, while a retrofitted calciner will be adapted to operate with a hydrogen burner. <\/span>If it\u2019s a win, the Yarwun pilot program could open the way for <\/span>global adoption<\/b> of the technology at scale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Construction of the hydrogen plant will start in 2024, with the operation of the calciner expected by 2025.<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to Rio\u2019s Aluminium Pacific Ops Managing Director Armando Torres, \u201cThe pilot plant is an important step in testing whether hydrogen can replace natural gas in Queensland alumina refineries.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt Rio Tinto, we have put the energy transition at the heart of our business strategy, and this is one of the ways we\u2019re working towards decarbonising our operations. <\/span>We are proud to be developing this new technology here in Gladstone, in partnership with Sumitomo Corporation, and with support from ARENA,\u201d he finished.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BHP and JX Metals partner for a cleaner copper supply.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the essential minerals in the push for net zero emissions, copper is more sought after than ever in today\u2019s world.<\/span><\/p>\n

To that end, copper giant BHP and JX Metals Corporation have announced a plan to \u201csupport a responsible copper supply chain through greater traceability and material origin verification.\u201d <\/span>Labelled the <\/span>\u201cGreen Enabling Partnership\u201d<\/b>, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will focus on downstream producers and consumers, including copper product manufacturers and the semiconductor, information technology and automobile industries. <\/span>Advocating circular economic practices and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), the companies will also promote knowledge sharing to reduce the carbon footprint of electrolytic copper and material processing while exploring energy-efficient smelting operations.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to JX\u2019s Metals director and deputy chief executive officer Kazuhiro Hori, \u201cOur efforts to produce more sustainable copper are centred on <\/span>green hybrid smelting<\/b> at the Saganoseki smelter and refinery.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPartnerships with upstream sectors are essential to reduce our scope 3 emissions reported by JX Metals in copper concentrate production and transportation.\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cWe will respond to our stakeholders\u2019 needs by enhancing our environmental, social and governance efforts in upstream sectors through this partnership with BHP,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Free Lung Checks for Retired Miners<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Queensland government has urged retired miners to sign up for a free lung health check. <\/span>According to a government statement, \u201cIn the last year, the total number of mine dust lung disease cases for current and former workers diagnosed since 1984 has risen to 400. <\/span>Most new cases are former workers who have received a free lung health check from their local, RSHQ-approved doctor or onboard Heart of Australia\u2019s HEART 5 Mobile Health Unit.<\/span><\/p>\n

The announcement at a glance:<\/b><\/p>\n