ArcelorMittal and the government of Quebec announced a CAD 205M investment by ArcelorMittal Mining Canada (AMMC) in its Port-Cartier pellet plant, enabling this facility to convert its entire 10 million tonnes annual pellet production to direct reduced iron (DRI) pellets by the end of 2025.
The investment, in which the Quebec government will contribute through an electricity rebate of up to CAD 80M, will enable the Port-Cartier plant to become one of the world’s largest producers of DRI pellets, the raw material feedstock for ironmaking in a DRI furnace. The project includes the implementation of a flotation system that will enable a significant reduction of silica in the iron ore pellets, facilitating the production of a very high-quality pellet.
The project will deliver a direct annual CO2e reduction of approximately 200,000 tonnes at AMMC’s Port-Cartier pellet plant, equivalent to over 20% of the pellet plant’s total annual CO2e emissions. This reduction in CO2e emissions will be achieved through a reduction in the energy required during the pelletizing process.