Rio Tinto Aluminium hopes new smelting process can reduce emissions from smelting process

To generate and store low-carbon energy, we will need large quantities of minerals and metals. Aluminum is among the most important. Its production accounts for 2% of human-produced emissions, and demand for the lightweight metal is predicted to increase. New technologies could help, said Ivan Vella, the Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Aluminium in a Forbes.com article written by Prof. Karl Moore. The company has developed a carbon-free smelting process that it says will eliminate direct greenhouse gas emissions from that aspect of production. Though the technology is still in its early stages, Rio Tinto hopes it can be commercialized by 2024.