TITANIUM MINING: Investments continue at Rio Tinto, Fer et Titane

QUEBEC – Montreal-based Rio Tinto, Fer et Titane (RTFT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto, has announced plans to invest $7.2 million to upgrade the water filtration system used at its steel plant located at the metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy.

The upgraded system will use new technology that is expected to help improve the reliability of equipment and its performance, boost production, and lower the environmental impact of the plant.

The investment is part of RTFT's TiO₂₀₅₀ program, announced in May 2011, which calls for an investment of $800 million over the next five years to extend the life of the mine at Havre-Saint-Pierre until 2050, and to upgrade equipment that will improve efficiency and environmental performance at the mine and at metallurgical complex. This latest investment follows a number of projects announced by RTFT in 2011 and earlier this year totalling $91 million.

Engineering has begun and the new system is expected to be operating by the end of 2013.

Please visit the website at RTFT.com.