Five years after the closure of the Fortress pulp mill in Thurso, Que., the provincial government has announced the site will be leased to a new venture that could cut back on the mining sector’s carbon footprint.
Évolys Québec will aim to make a renewable product that could replace anthracite, a compact coal used by multinational mining corporation Rio Tinto in some of its smelting processes in Sorel-Tracy, Que., the province said.
Évolys Québec is a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Aymium, an American company specializing in environmentally sustainable bioproducts.
If it is successful, Quebec says the venture will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the province.
“Decarbonization is at the core of Rio Tinto’s strategy,” wrote Sophie Bergeron, Rio Tinto’s iron, titanium and diamonds managing director, in a statement.
She also said they are pleased to “develop a project that will not only benefit the environment but also reinvigorate the regional economy.”
Questionable environmental record
Though Rio Tinto brands itself as environmentally-friendly, Radio-Canada’s Enquête team led an investigation in March that revealed it had more than 100 environmental infractions and paid out $2.1 million in fines, making the company the third biggest environmental offender in Quebec.
But statements from officials are optimistic about the project.
“What great news for the Outaouais region,” said Papineau MNA Mathieu Lacombe in a French-language statement.
“Our goal was to requalify the Fortress site while actively participating in the decarbonization of our economy. Mission accomplished!”
Hundreds lost jobs when mill closed
The closure of the pulp mill in 2019 had a challenging ripple effect for the Outaouais.
In addition to the more than 300 mill workers who lost their jobs, more than 200 others who worked in the forestry sector were laid off.
In 2019, the Quebec government loaned Fortress Global Enterprises $8 million in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to restart operations.