Rio Tinto said it will invest A$215 million to develop a research and development facility in Western Australia to further assess the effectiveness of its low-carbon ironmaking process, BioIron. The facility, located south of Perth in the Rockingham Strategic Industrial Area, will include a pilot plant that will be 10 times larger than its predecessor in Germany. It will also…
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Chile’s state mining firm ENAMI said it aims to start construction on its first lithium project in the country by 2028, reported Reuters. The project is part of the government’s push to boost its role in production of the battery metal. ENAMI has launched a search for a private partner to offer financial backing or operational support for the project…
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Photo: Komatsu Rio Tinto and BHP announced a collaboration on the testing of large battery-electric haul trucks in Western Australia’s Pilbara region to accelerate the potential for future deployment. The two miners will work with Caterpillar and Komatsu to conduct independent trials of their battery-electric haul trucks, including testing of battery and charging systems, to assess performance and productivity in…
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An autonomous Rio Tinto train hit a set of stationary wagons about 80 kilometres outside Karratha, Western Australia, just after midnight on 13 May, damaging 22 wagons and three locomotives, reported ABC News. There were no reported injuries, but Mining and Energy Union Secretary Greg Busson said five staff who were further down the line working on the stationary equipment…
Read MoreMiners Rio Tinto and Eramet are among 30 companies that have submitted proposals to develop lithium extraction technology for a Chilean salt flat in the early stages of exploration, reported Reuters. Chile is seeking to develop the salt flat known as Salares Altoandinos for lithium mining. State-run mining body ENAMI has asked bidding companies to detail step-by-step plans to test…
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Rio Tinto is partnering with global venture studio and start-up investor Founders Factory to back the development and commercialisation of breakthrough technologies in the mining industry. The miner said it will invest A$14.4 million in global pre-seed and seed stage start-ups over the next three years. The focus will be on technologies in the fields of safe mine operations, decarbonisation,…
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Under a new management services agreement, Rio Tinto will oversee the Ranger uranium mine rehabilitation project in Australia’s Northern Territory on behalf of Energy Resources of Australia (ERA). “With the signing of this agreement, we are pleased to be able to directly provide more closure and project delivery experience and know-how to this critical task,” said Rio Tinto Chief Executive,…
Read MoreAn unusually warm Canadian winter delayed the opening of a 400-kilometer ice road that is reconstructed every year to access several diamond mines in the remote Arctic region, reported Reuters. Full story.
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The Government of Canada has awarded Rio Tinto Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) C$18.1 million to support the decarbonization of iron ore processing at its operations in Labrador West. Full story.
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Rio Tinto’s board of directors has approved the “world’s biggest mining project” in West Africa, reported the Financial Times. The miner will invest $6.2 billion in the mine, rail and port project in Guinea. The Simandou project, which involves the construction of a 552,000-kilometer rail line, is being progressed in partnership with CIOH, a Chinalco-led consortium, Winning Consortium Simandou, Baowu…
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