Saguenay, October 23, 2026 – Earlier today, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, announced a $28.5 million contribution to support the modernization of Aluminerie Alouette through the Strategic Response Fund. This announcement supports the company’s efforts to optimize its operations amid ongoing uncertainty caused by trade and geopolitical tensions in various parts of the world.

The Sept-Îles aluminum smelter, which has been firmly rooted in the North Shore community for nearly 35 years, announced a $1.5 billion investment plan in 2025. Although it already produces aluminum with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world, the ambitions of the consortium of five shareholders do not stop there. The major projects currently underway, with the support of the government, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000 tonnes of CO? equivalent per year while improving energy efficiency.

The funds provided, which are partially repayable, come at just the right time, as the Canadian aluminum industry navigates an increasingly uncertain market. “Given the unpredictable economic climate we’re navigating, the government’s support strengthens investor confidence and allows us to envision a sustainable future, despite the current circumstances,” said Claude Gosselin, President and CEO of Aluminerie Alouette. “We have repeatedly demonstrated our resilience and ability to adapt. By remaining attentive to every opportunity, we are accelerating our projects to ensure that we remain a recognized global leader,” he added.

More specifically, the organization is working on several fronts, including two projects totalling $135 million that are supported by the Strategic Response Fund. First, improvements will be made to the carbon anodes, which are essential to the alumina electrolysis process. Through various adjustments to the composition of these anodes, gains are anticipated in terms of productivity, environmental emissions and energy efficiency. To achieve this, numerous pieces of equipment must be adapted to produce and handle the blocks. In addition, another project focuses on the particle size of the bath covering material, a solid powder used to retain heat in the pots during the process. Here again, the long-term benefits are expected to be significant. These initiatives are scheduled for completion in 2027.

About the Strategic Response Fund

The Strategic Response Fund (SRF) helps Canadian industries innovate, adapt, and compete in a changing global economy. It supports large-scale, transformative projects that ensure economic resilience, strengthen supply chains, and protect quality jobs in key sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, forestry, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

Sept-Îles, August 25, 2026 – Surrounded by local elected officials, employees, and representatives from partner organizations, Claude Gosselin, President and CEO of Aluminerie Alouette, announced a $2 million donation to the City of Sept-Îles as part of the project to build new sports infrastructure. This investment was eagerly anticipated by the community, as the city’s largest private employer has been recognized for its sustained involvement in the Sept-Rivières RCM for nearly 35 years.

This significant contribution is part of Aluminerie Alouette’s new Community Development Fund, created following the company’s most recent electricity supply contract, under which it has committed to investing $15 million over the next 10 years.

“Today, thanks to the support of our shareholders—who are convinced of the importance of local benefits—we are investing in the next generation from all walks of life—athletes and artists, Innu and North Shore residents—who will be able to benefit from a unifying space that lives up to the standards of the people here. Access to quality municipal services is fundamental to the region’s development avoiding the need for fly-in/fly-out work. Adequate sports facilities in a welcoming environment help retain families and attract new talent.”

– Claude Gosselin, President and CEO of Aluminerie Alouette

“Aluminerie Alouette’s contribution strengthens a project made possible in large part by our $24 million investment. It is a fine example of the power of a partnership between the community, a committed company, and our government to provide our region with a unifying and sustainable sports infrastructure. I am particularly proud to see a commitment I made in 2022 come to fruition.”

– Kateri Champagne Jourdain, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Member of the National Assembly for Duplessis

“Aluminerie Alouette is a committed partner in the development of our community, not only through its leading role in the region’s economy, but also through its contribution to projects and initiatives that make Sept-Îles a vibrant and supportive city. More than just financial support, Aluminerie Alouette’s significant financial contribution to the construction of the new arena is a powerful gesture—an investment in the community, in families, in young people, and in the future of Sept-Îles. On behalf of the City of Sept-Îles, I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Claude Gosselin and his entire team for their support and trust.”

– Benoit Méthot, Mayor of the City of Sept-Îles

This new complex will meet the needs of the community, contribute to the city’s development through its appeal, and foster a sense of belonging and pride among the community and the Aluminerie Alouette team. The facade facing Laure Boulevard will feature the company’s logo and the message “Fièrement partenaire” (Proud Partner), and the company’s colors will also be incorporated elsewhere on the premises.

Aluminerie Alouette, certified as an “Entreprise en santé Élite” (Elite Healthy Entreprise), is proud to simultaneously promote an active lifestyle and healthy habits for young people, adults, and seniors in Sept-Îles and Uashat mak Mani-utenam.

About the Project

The new building will include an NHL-standard-sized ice rink and an amphitheater with a capacity of 1,800 people. The new facilities will be fully accessible, particularly for people with reduced mobility. The building will be equipped with high-performance, energy-efficient refrigeration and ventilation systems that, in addition to improving spectator comfort, will allow for year-round use. This represents a total investment of $78.5 million, for which the City of Sept-Îles has received $20 million in financial assistance from the Government of Quebec under the Financial Assistance Program for Recreational, Sports, and Outdoor Infrastructure, and $4 million from the Société du Plan Nord. Other private partners are also participating in the project, which, with today’s announcement, has secured $28.1 million in financial partnerships to date.

Sept-Iles, November 14, 2025 – At the 4th edition of the Prospérité Québec Gala, Aluminerie Alouette received the Prospère Award in the Innovative Employer – Occupational Health & Safety and Well-Being category. The Conseil du Patronat du Québec (CPQ) thus acknowledges the unique culture of the Sept-Iles, based company, a leader in the primary aluminum industry.

Since its beginnings, Aluminerie Alouette has continually innovated in its management practices by deploying policies and programs that promote the well-being of all employees. As highlighted by the CPQ, the award “reflects the employer’s commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new approaches to create a safe, healthy, and fulfilling work environment for its employees. Its organizational culture encourages creativity and experimentation, fostering the emergence of innovative solutions to address occupational health and safety challenges.”

Tony Dresdell, Senior Director, Health, Safety and ESG, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the entire team. “Every day, we work together to ensure that our company is more than just a workplace, it is a safe, enjoyable, and stimulating place to be,” he stated at the Gala. “Our objective is clear: that everyone returns home safely, fulfilled, and above all eager to come back,” added Claude Gosselin, President and Chief Executive Officer, reflecting the organization’s vision.

Innovative practices

Aluminerie Alouette is recognized within the industry as a large yet people-focused company. Its participative management model, in place for nearly 35 years, fosters employee involvement at all levels.

To ensure everyone can contribute and implement their ideas, the company promotes health and safety initiatives through a dedicated program. In the past year alone, 1,343 initiatives were submitted!

Through its internal health services, the company also offers annual health assessments, smoking cessation support, ergonomic workstation adjustments, and vaccination against seasonal viruses. A dedicated health and well-being committee is also highly active, organizing a wide variety of activities: healthy tastings, visits from medical specialists, sports challenges, posture analyses, lunch-and-learns, and more.

Holder of several certifications, including ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety management system) and Healthy Enterprise – Elite, Aluminerie Alouette undergoes regular external audits of its practices. These audits consistently confirm the effectiveness of its initiatives.

For example, compliance monitoring for major risks is conducted through an internally developed mobile application. During task observations, teams can validate compliance in real time, implement corrective actions, highlight adherence to work instructions, and record all information in one integrated system.

The results are tangible: in 2024, Aluminerie Alouette achieved its best performance ever in terms of first-aid injuries, with a rate of 6.8 per 200,000 hours worked. These continuously improving results demonstrate the effectiveness of the measures implemented over the years. With a strong and unique culture rooted in five core values, communication, professionalism, forward-thinking attitude, teamwork, and versatility, the company is a true family, an employer of choice, and an engaged corporate citizen.

Sept-Iles, July 4, 2025 — Quebec Premier Mr. François Legault and Mr. Claude Gosselin, President and CEO of Aluminerie Alouette, announced today, a landmark agreement in principle that will guarantee a long-term power supply for Aluminerie Alouette through 2045. As part of this milestone, the company also announced a $1.5 billion investment to modernize its facilities, strengthening its competitiveness and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable industrial development for decades to come.

The announcement was made before hundreds of employees and regional stakeholders, in the presence of Ms. Christine Fréchette, Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Energy, and Ms. Kateri Champagne Jourdain, Minister of Employment and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region.

“Today’s announcement, which we have been working on for several months, paves the way for the coming decades for our current and future employees, our communities and our business partners. We sincerely appreciate the collaboration of the Quebec government and Hydro-Quebec, for their unwavering confidence in the essential role that primary aluminum plays in the economic vitality of both our region and the province,” said Mr. Gosselin with pride. Although the global geopolitical situation is extremely challenging for investors, Shareholders’ Committee Chair Mr. Kunitake Minami emphasized that “we are committed to investing in the future of our Sept-Îles plant with a long-term vision.” The entire industry is currently under increasing pressure due to customs tariffs, and Aluminerie Alouette is no exception.

After 33 years of operation and with the current contract expiring in 2029, the company faced a critical need to modernize. This new long-term power agreement provides a solid foundation for transformative investments, securing Aluminerie Alouette’s global competitiveness in an increasingly complex and uncertain market.

An Agreement with Multiple Positive Outcomes

While still grounded in a risk-sharing pricing model, the revised formula will allow for increased returns to Hydro-Québec when aluminum market conditions are strong, without increasing financial exposure during more difficult periods. These adjustments will come into effect at the conclusion of the current contract in 2030. In addition to this, significant economic benefits are expected from the company’s ambitious $1.5 billion investment program.

The project portfolio is strong and strategically aligned around automation, innovation, value creation, and decarbonization, all key pillars in the company’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. For example, the company is exploring various opportunities such as both anodes and electrolysis efficiency. Also, the modernization of the casthouse, version 4.0, will maximize the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The company is actively involved in research and development, leveraging its pilot plant to develop the next generation of pots, with a focus on improving the energy efficiency of the electrolysis process.    

Aluminerie Alouette, a long-standing community partner, will also invest an additional $15 million over the next ten years to further support causes, organizations, and structuring initiatives in the communities of Sept-Îles, Port-Cartier, and Uashat mak Mani-utenam.

“Today, we reaffirm that we are not only among the world’s most responsible aluminum producers, but also a trusted partner, fully committed to our mission and determined to ensure its long-term benefits for all Quebecers,” concluded Mr. Gosselin.

About Aluminerie Alouette

Founded in 1992, Aluminerie Alouette is an independent aluminum producer owned by a consortium of international shareholders: AMAG Austria Metall AG (Austria, 20%), Hydro Aluminium (Norway, 20%), Marubeni Metals & Minerals (Japan, 13.33%), QUALIUM (Canada, 6.67%), and Rio Tinto (Canada, 40%).

With approximately 950 employees and an annual production capacity of over 630,000 tonnes of primary aluminum, it is the largest private employer in Sept-Iles and the biggest aluminum smelter in the Americas. The Sept-Iles facility places sustainability and innovation at the core of its operations.

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Media Contacts :

Maxime Lelièvre                                                       Marie-Claude Guimond

Advisor | Communications                                        Director | Communications

Aluminerie Alouette                                                  Aluminerie Alouette

Phone: 418-964-7340                                               Phone: 418-964-7335

maxime.lelievre@alouette.qc.ca                               communications@alouette.qc.ca

Sept-Iles, May 22, 2025 – The Bureau de normalization du Québec (BNQ) recently confirmed that Aluminerie Alouette has been certified under the international ISO 50001:2018 – Energy Management Systems standard. The largest aluminium smelter in the Americas, which transforms Québec's hydroelectric power into high-purity aluminium ingots, continuously ensures responsible and efficient use of renewable resources essential to its production. 

The Sept-Iles based company, a global player in the primary aluminium industry, has long demonstrated its dedication to energy management. “Our teams are committed; every megawatt of electricity must be used wisely to produce the maximum amount of responsible aluminium,” says President and CEO, Mr. Claude Gosselin. Aluminerie Alouette also relies on expert employees who prioritize energy efficiency—whether in the production process, asset management, or the operation of its electrical substation. Best practices are promoted and embraced by employees who understand the value of small daily actions.

“The addition of this standard to our management systems fits perfectly with our ongoing improvement initiatives aimed at decarbonization and enhanced competitiveness,” says Mr. Martin Tremblay, Director of Technology and Operational Excellence. The BNQ granted the ISO 50001:2018 certification, issued by the International Organization for Standardization, following a comprehensive audit of the company’s practices and internal documentation. Aluminerie Alouette must always demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements, particularly regarding energy planning, operational control, monitoring, and evaluation.

Efficiently and continuously transforming megawatts allocated by Hydro-Québec generates sustainable wealth through quality jobs and significant economic benefits. “We are literally exporting Québec’s value-added hydroelectricity through aluminium,” adds Mr. Gosselin. As energy availability becomes an increasing concern due to its scarcity, deploying energy-saving technologies becomes even more essential. This initiative is also part of Aluminerie Alouette’s decarbonization plan.

Current Certifications and Accreditations

ASI: Performance
ASI: Chain of Custody
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems
ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems
ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
ISO 50001:2018 – Energy Management Systems
Accredited Laboratory Testing Program
Healthy Enterprise: Elite – Workplace Health
ICI on recycle +: Elite – Residual Materials Management

Note: The years mentioned refer to the applicable standard version, not the year of certification.

Sept-Iles, February 5, 2025 - Nearly 35 years after starting operations, Aluminerie Alouette is now undertaking major modernization and decarbonization projects. Its shareholders are prepared to invest $1 billion in the Sept-Iles facilities in the coming years. Securing the long-term supply of electricity to the smelter, whose contract expires in 2029, is an essential element in the realization of these investments. 

Electricity is an essential raw material for aluminum production. In the region, men and women proudly produce this veritable "grey gold" day after day, using Québec hydroelectricity. With one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world, Alouette’s aluminum generates significant economic, social and environmental benefits for the entire community.  

The current rate agreement with Hydro-Québec and the Quebec government, which took effect in 2017, will conclude in 2029. "When planning investments of this magnitude, it's essential to have a longer timeframe. Therefore, we are working towards a mutually beneficial agreement for many years to come," confirms President and CEO Claude Gosselin. "We are not requesting a reduction in our current electricity rates; we fully understand that our bill will be adjusted upwards," he adds.

In a time when the geopolitical situation is having a major impact on the economy, Quebec would benefit from the imminent conclusion of an agreement generating hundreds of millions of dollars for local businesses. Renewing the long-term power supply contract would ensure the future of a Quebec flagship for decades. "The future of Aluminerie Alouette, the industry, and our planet relies on decarbonization. Several projects are in the pipeline, but we must secure our competitiveness on the global market before moving forward with concrete action," emphasizes Mr. Gosselin.

Aluminerie Alouette generates economic benefits exceeding $440 million in Quebec, with $340 million specifically in the Sept-Rivières RCM. The company sources from 700 suppliers, including 250 in the region, and makes annual local purchases of approximately $100 million. As an exemplary corporate citizen actively involved in its community, Aluminerie Alouette creates quality jobs and wealth both in its region and throughout the province.

About Aluminerie Alouette

Inaugurated in 1992, Aluminerie Alouette is an independent aluminum producer formed by a consortium comprising AMAG Austria Metall AG (Austria, 20%), Hydro Aluminium (Norway, 20%), Marubeni Metals & Minerals (Japan, 13.33%), QUALIUM (Canada, 6.67%), and Rio Tinto (Canada, 40%). With approximately 950 employees and an annual production capacity exceeding 630,000 tonnes of primary aluminum, it is the largest private employer in Sept-Iles and the largest aluminum smelter in the Americas. The Sept-Iles plant prioritizes sustainable development and innovation in all its operations.

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To ensure a safe working environment, Alouette carries out painting work at various locations on the site every year. As vehicle-pedestrian coactivity is a major risk, ground signage must be clearly visible. In the past, personnel assigned to this task had to work at length, sometimes standing, sometimes crouching or kneeling, in marked-out areas.

Implemented since last summer following the idea of two employees, Jean-Marie Chouinard and Robert Allain, this innovation eliminates certain risks associated with this task, as well as considerably reducing the duration of the work. The project is also innovative in that it makes it possible to paint areas that are sometimes more restricted than commercially available equipment could reach.

"Eliminating injuries and risks is a priority at Aluminerie Alouette. That's why we're proud to win this award, recognizing the commitment of our employees and highlighting our good occupational health and safety practices," says Claude Gosselin, President and CEO. "We are happy to be able to count on employees who are involved and proactive in this area," he adds.

A health, safety and environment committee, made up of employees and management representatives, plays an active role in this area, in addition to promoting prevention within the company. Aluminerie Alouette is proud to work with its employees and partners to implement initiatives that support its ESG (environmental, social and governance) vision.