Arianne Phosphate Inc. said Jan. 25 that it signed a project agreement with Rio Tinto with a view to share maritime services.

The companies will discuss using ships serving Rio Tinto to transport phosphate concentrate produced at Arianne's Quebec-based Lac a Paul project to international markets.

Arianne COO Jean-Sébastien David said the proposed arrangement will help reduce the environmental footprint of the Lac a Paul project by optimizing transport activity on the Saguenay River and ensure maritime traffic synergy.

In November 2016, Arianne exercised options on land at Sainte-Rose-du-Nord in Quebec. The land was proposed as the future site of the port associated with the company's Lac a Paul phosphate project.

A 2013 feasibility study on the Lac a Paul project outlined annual production of 3 million tonnes of high-purity concentrate necessary to produce fertilizer.