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since the 1880s. Globally, approximately 3
billion tonnes of red mud is stored, gener-
ally in open-air tailings ponds. While no
viable alternatives have been developed
to utilize this material, annually, some
120 million additional tonnes are being
produced.
FlY aSh
Fly ash is one of the waste products gener-
ated by coal-fired power stations. Similar
to red mud, fly ash contains a high con-
centration of alumina (up to 35%), as
well as other valuable materials, such as
rare earths and rare metals. According to
the
International Energy Agency (IEA)
Clean Coal Centre, there are 7,000 coal-
fired power units worldwide, spread over
2,300 sites, producing between 495 million
and 650 million tonnes of fly ash annually.
This figure could increase by 50% by 2030
according to the
World Coal Association.
minE TailingS
Mine tailings can contain a large quantity
of valuable elements. At this time, these
resources are not exploited.
Under Glenn Kelly, President and CEO,
Orbite Aluminae is ready to become a
multi-commodity producer while, at the
same time, is in a position to rehabilitate
industrial sites that need attention.
n
The mining industry is gathering in Montréal. Be there!
the orbite aluminae facility