MNG’s top stories of 2024

We have tabulated our top stories for 2024 on Miners News Global, and there were some surprises! Check out which articles caught the most attention from readers over the last year. 1.      MSHA issues final silica ruleIn this story from April 2024, we shared MSHA’s final rule issuance for exposure to respirable crystalline silica. 2.      Rare…

Read More

Rio Tinto investing big in Rincon

Rio Tinto has approved an earmark of $2.5 billion to expand the capacity of its Rincon lithium project in Argentina to 60,000 tonnes per year. Rincon is the company’s first commercial-scale lithium operation; that capacity is comprised of the 3,000-tonne starter plant and 57,000-tonne expansion plant. Rincon’s mine life is expected to be 40 years, with construction of the expanded…

Read More

BHP, Rio Tinto allowed sexual harassment at mine sites: Lawsuits

Two class action lawsuits filed in the Federal Court of Australia, accuse BHP and Rio Tinto of knowingly placing female staff into environments where they faced systemic sexual harassment and gender discrimination, reported Bloomberg. Under the Anti-Discrimination Act an employer is liable if they “permit” a woman to work in an environment where they will likely be exposed to sexual…

Read More

Rio Tinto offloads stake in Winu

Rio Tinto will sell a 30% stake in its Winu copper-gold project in Western Australia to Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. for $399 million, reported Bloomberg. “This is a unique opportunity to derisk our investment,” said Katie Jackson, Rio’s chief executive of copper. “We look forward to working more broadly as strategic partners to find new ways to deliver value…

Read More

Rio Tinto exec seeks faster permitting under Trump

A Rio Tinto executive said U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s new administration should focus on speeding up the permitting process for its stalled Resolution copper mine in Arizona, reported Reuters. The mine could supply more than one-quarter of the country’s domestic copper needs. Full story.

Read More

Rio Tinto becomes sole owner of New Zealand Aluminium Smelters

Rio Tinto completed the previously announced acquisition of Sumitomo Chemical Co.’s 20.64% interest in the joint venture New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) on 1 November, making it the sole owner. NZAS owns and operates the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, located on Tiwai Peninsula in Southland. Around 90% of the aluminium produced there is exported. “We are pleased the acquisition of…

Read More

Fatal accident at Rio Tinto’s Simandou

Rio Tinto has confirmed that an employee from a contracting company has died following an accident on October 26 at the SimFer port site on the Simandou project in Morebaya, Guinea. “Our deepest condolences go to the family, friends, colleagues and communities affected by this tragedy. Our focus is on offering all possible support during this difficult time,” said Rio…

Read More