Picture credentials : Sorel-Tracy, Facebook

The Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) site in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, produces titanium dioxide feedstock (titanium slag), pig iron, steel products, and scandium oxide.

Titanium slag is produced by smelting a mix of ilmenite ore and anthracite coal in electric arc furnaces. During this stage, iron oxide in the ore is reduced to molten pig iron while titanium remains in the slag phase, comprising roughly 80% TiO₂ (SORELSLAG). An upgrader on-site further refines a portion of this into 95% TiO₂ (UGS), a concentration required for the chloride process used by major white pigment manufacturers. Sorel-Tracy accounts for approximately 19% of global titanium dioxide feedstock demand, with an annual capacity of 1,100,000 tonnes of SORELSLAG (80%) and 375,000 tonnes of UGS (95%).

The pig iron produced is of exceptionally high quality, characterized by its ultra-low levels of manganese, sulfur, and phosphorus, making it essential for manufacturing high-ductility iron castings. The site produces approximately 1,000,000 tonnes of molten iron and 500,000 tonnes of steel billets annually.

Additionally, Rio Tinto is the only North American producer of scandium oxide, using a proprietary process to extract the mineral from process waste streams. Current production stands at 9 tonnes per year, representing roughly 20% of the global market.