Rio Tinto closed its last pre-heat pot hall for aluminium production at the Arvida complex on Thursday, June 18, 2026 [1].
The move marks the end of a nearly century-long industrial era in Quebec and signals a shift toward more sustainable processing methods. By retiring this specific technology, the company aims to modernize its operational footprint in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.
The closure took place at the Centre d'électrolyse Ouest (CEO) within the Arvida aluminium complex [2]. This transition concludes 86 years of pre-heat pot operations at the site [3]. The process, known in French as *cuves précuites*, represents an older generation of smelting technology that is being phased out in favor of newer standards.
Reports on the specific timing of the final shutdowns vary slightly. While the final hall closure was marked on Thursday, some reports indicated that specific units, such as cuve 44, were shut down as early as Tuesday [4]. Other schedules had previously indicated that production for cuve 43 was planned to cease by Oct. 28, 2026 [5].
Rio Tinto is transitioning the facility to newer, more sustainable aluminium processing methods [1]. The company has not detailed the exact technical specifications of the replacement systems in the current reports, but the move is part of a broader effort to reduce the environmental impact of smelting.
The Arvida site has long been a cornerstone of the regional economy in Quebec. The decommissioning of the pre-heat pot halls is a phased approach to ensure the facility remains viable while meeting modern industrial, and environmental requirements [2].
“Rio Tinto closed its last pre-heat pot hall for aluminium production at the Arvida complex.”
The decommissioning of the pre-heat pot halls at Arvida represents a critical pivot for Rio Tinto as it attempts to align legacy industrial assets with global decarbonization goals. Moving away from 86-year-old technology is not merely an operational upgrade but a necessary step to reduce the carbon intensity of aluminium production, which is traditionally one of the most energy-intensive industrial processes.
