The United Kingdom’s lithium carbonate market is positioned for gradual recovery following two consecutive years of declining consumption, with industry forecasts projecting growth to 1,300 tonnes and $16 million by 2035. This modest expansion occurs within a broader global context of supply chain restructuring and technological innovation, highlighted by Rio Tinto’s $2.5 billion investment in...
READ MORERio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational and the world’s second-largest metals and mining corporation, has signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with Reed Advanced Materials, an Australian lithium technology developer, to validate the ELi Process that could reduce processing costs for converting lithium brines into battery-grade chemicals. The collaboration builds on successful pilot trials conducted at...
READ MORECymat Technologies, a Canadian manufacturer of stabilized aluminum foam founded in 2006, and Rio Tinto Alcan, a major global aluminum producer and the sole major supplier of proprietary metal matrix composites, have entered into a letter of intent for the acquisition of MMC technology and customer relationships. The transaction positions Cymat to capture $7.5-10 million...
READ MOREThe European Commission has officially designated Rio Tinto’s controversial Jadar lithium-boron mining project in western Serbia as a strategic investment under the Critical Raw Materials Act, placing it among 13 non-EU projects prioritized for the bloc’s energy transition. The move, announced in early June, comes despite years of mass protests, legal challenges, and vocal opposition...
READ MORERio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining and metals companies, is in advanced negotiations with the Australian federal and New South Wales state governments over a multibillion-dollar bailout package for its Tomago aluminium smelter in New South Wales. The future of the facility—Australia’s largest aluminium producer and single biggest electricity user—has been thrown into...
READ MOREBHP Group, the world’s largest mining company and biggest iron ore producer, and Rio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational and the world’s second-largest mining company, have experienced share price pressure despite projections of massive demand increases for critical minerals. The International Energy Agency forecasts copper demand will increase 50%, nickel demand will more than double, and...
READ MORERio Tinto announced on Thursday that CEO Jakob Stausholm will step down later this year after nearly five years in the role. The company confirmed that Stausholm will remain at the helm until a successor is appointed, with a formal selection process now underway. Internal candidates expected to be considered include Chief Commercial Officer Bold...
READ MORERio Tinto and Chile’s state-owned Codelco have signed a binding agreement to form a joint venture aimed at developing and operating a major lithium project at the Salar de Maricunga in northern Chile. Under the terms of the agreement, Rio Tinto will acquire a 49.99% stake in Salar de Maricunga SpA, the entity holding the...
READ MORERio Tinto has signed a final joint venture agreement with Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) for the development of the Winu copper and gold project in the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia. The deal gives SMM a 30% stake in the project for up to $430.4 million. Under the terms, SMM will pay $195 million...
READ MORERio Tinto, in partnership with Indium Corporation, has successfully extracted its first primary gallium as part of a research and development project aimed at establishing a North American supply of this critical mineral. The gallium was sourced from bauxite processed at Rio Tinto’s Vaudreuil alumina refinery in Saguenay, Quebec—the only alumina refinery in Canada. The...
READ MORERio Tinto reported aluminium production of 829,000 tonnes for the first quarter of 2025, matching output from the same period last year, despite energy restrictions at its operations in New Zealand and Canada. The New Zealand Aluminium Smelter has been asked to reduce electricity use through August, and the Kitimat plant in British Columbia experienced...
READ MORERio Tinto has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AMG Metals and Materials to assess the feasibility of developing a large-scale, low-carbon aluminium and alumina operation in India. The project would be powered entirely by renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and pumped hydro storage. The proposed integrated facility would feature up to 1 million...
READ MORERio Tinto has finalized its acquisition of Arcadium Lithium for $6.7 billion, following the approval of the Scheme of Arrangement by the Royal Court of Jersey on 5 March. Arcadium Lithium will now be rebranded as Rio Tinto Lithium and will include the Rincon lithium project as part of its portfolio. This acquisition strengthens Rio...
READ MOREMidland Exploration, in partnership with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (RTEC), has announced the launch of a second lithium drilling campaign at the Galinee project. Located approximately 5 kilometers east of the Adina lithium deposit owned by Winsome Resources, the project is wholly owned by Midland and is under an option agreement with RTEC, initially signed...
READ MOREKingsrose Mining Limited has announced the acquisition of the Jakon nickel-copper-cobalt project in Central Finland from Rio Tinto Exploration Finland Oy. This acquisition strengthens Kingsrose’s presence within the Kotalahti Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Belt and forms part of its Exploration Alliance with BHP in Finland. The Jakon project spans 205 km², bringing Kingsrose’s total landholding under the BHP...
READ MOREMelten Energy & Metals has entered into two long-term agreements with Rio Tinto to enhance its supply chain for bauxite and alumina. These agreements support Melten’s expansion of its alumina production capacity at the Aluminium of Greece plant in Agios Nikolaos, Viotia, Greece. The investment will increase alumina output from 865,000 metric tonnes to 1,265,000...
READ MORERio Tinto is exploring the use of intermittent renewable energy for its aluminium smelters, citing falling battery prices as a key factor in making the shift economically viable. Jerome Pecresse, head of Rio’s aluminium division, stated that transitioning to renewable power supported by battery storage is becoming increasingly feasible for the Boyne smelter in Queensland...
READ MOREHydro and Rio Tinto have announced a partnership to develop carbon capture technology aimed at reducing emissions from aluminum smelters. The companies plan to invest approximately $45 million over five years, with research and development efforts taking place at Hydro’s facilities in Norway and Rio Tinto’s locations in Europe. Both companies will continue their independent...
READ MORERio Tinto’s 74%-owned South African subsidiary, Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), has signed a deal with independent power producer Red Rocket South Africa for 230 MW of wind energy. The renewable power will supply RBM’s smelting and processing facilities at its Richards Bay ilmenite operation, the company announced on January 30. Red Rocket is developing the...
READ MORERio Tinto Group plans to establish a dedicated lithium unit, Rio Tinto Lithium, after completing its $6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium PLC. According to an internal memo cited by Reuters on January 17, the new division will manage operations at the Rincon lithium project in Argentina. However, the Jadar lithium project in Serbia will...
READ MORETwo of the world’s largest mining companies, Rio Tinto and Glencore, are reportedly in early-stage discussions about a potential merger valued at an estimated £130 billion. If successful, the deal would create the world’s largest mining company, surpassing current leader BHP, which is valued at approximately $126 billion (£103 billion). The merger would combine Rio...
READ MORERio Tinto’s fourth-quarter production results reflect steady operational progress alongside challenges in key areas. The company celebrated milestones such as the successful ramp-up of the Oyu Tolgoi underground copper mine in Mongolia and the commencement of lithium production at the Rincon project in Argentina, while overall commodity production displayed varied performance. Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm...
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