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5N Plus, a leading global producer of specialty semiconductors and performance materials, has announced that it has reached a commercial agreement with Rio Tinto to refine the tellurium to be produced at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah. The tellurium will be refined at the Company’s Montreal facility in Quebec, Canada, and primarily used for the manufacturing of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules by First Solar under an existing semiconductor supply agreement between First Solar and 5N Plus.
5N Plus has been a key supplier to First Solar, a leading global provider of comprehensive PV solar solutions based in the U.S., since 2007. The tellurium will also be used to manufacture ultra-high purity semiconductor substrates at its facility in St. George, Utah, to serve clients in the security and medical imaging markets.
“As a leading global supplier of specialty semiconductors for applications in the renewable energy, security, and medical imaging sectors, 5N Plus is proud to have secured this partnership with global mining group Rio Tinto. We intend to continue to pursue such strategic partnerships for the sourcing and refining of critical minerals in North America to the benefit of the critical industries we serve,” said Gervais Jacques, President and Chief Executive Officer of 5N Plus.
“This agreement with 5N Plus is an important step towards securing a North American supply chain of critical minerals to support the clean energy transition. We are proud to deliver a new supply source of tellurium for the manufacturing of solar panels and other high-tech equipment, in addition to our primary copper production,” said Clayton Walker, Chief Operating Officer of Rio Tinto Copper.
Mr. Jacques added: “Our ability to refine additional tellurium for applications in the renewable energy industry is made possible by our investment to expand the capacity of our Montreal campus. Coupled with our new partnership with Rio Tinto, this allows us to accelerate our semiconductor development and manufacturing activities in North America and further leverage our globally recognized expertise in the transformation of mining and metallurgical by-products into high purity value added critical minerals.”
In June 2021, the Company announced a major investment in its Montreal campus to expand the development and manufacturing of high purity tellurium bearing II-VI semiconductor compounds and substrates, essential components for several critical industries, including renewable energy. The project is expected to be completed by mid-year.
Tellurium, in addition to many other elements refined and transformed by 5N Plus, is considered a critical mineral by the Canadian and U.S. governments due to its importance to the economy and national security.
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