Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs
Our business
We operate in 35 countries where our 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs
Our purpose in action
Continuous improvement and innovation are part of our DNA
Innovation
The need for innovation is greater than ever
We supply the metals and minerals used to help the world grow and decarbonise
Iron Ore
The primary raw material used to make steel, which is strong, long-lasting and cost-efficient
Lithium
The lightest of all metals, it is a key element needed for low-carbon technologies
Copper
Tough but malleable, corrosion-resistant and recyclable, and an excellent conductor of heat and transmitter of electricity
Bringing to market materials critical to urbanisation and the transition to a low-carbon economy
Oyu Tolgoi
One of the most modern, safe and sustainable operations in the world
Rincon Project
A long-life, low-cost and low-carbon lithium source
Simandou Project
The world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit
Providing materials the world needs in a responsible way
Climate Change
We’re targeting net zero emissions by 2050
Nature solutions
Our nature-based solutions projects complement the work we're doing to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions
Enabling ESG transparency
Our START™ initiative tracks traceability and responsible production of Rio Tinto materials.
We aim to deliver superior returns to our shareholders while safeguarding the environment and meeting our obligations to wider society
Reports 2024
Download our 2024 suite of reports, including our 2024 Taxes and Royalties Paid Report, detailing $8.4 billion of taxes and royalties paid globally during the year
Get the latest news, stories and updates
Things You Can't Live Without
Our podcast discussing what needs to happen to create a sustainable future for the everyday items we have come to rely on
Refuelling the mining industry
How can we power the world’s biggest machines with new fuel solutions?
Forging a low-carbon future
How we're working to decarbonise iron ore and steel
Discover more about life at Rio Tinto
Graduates and students
If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it
Empowering families with flexibility
Supporting new parents of any gender with equal access to parental leave
Available jobs
Join our team
SEPT-ÎLES, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto’s Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) is celebrating its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades as a leading North American producer and exporter of premium iron ore pellets and high-grade concentrate. Over its history, IOC has been a pioneer in responsible iron ore production, making substantial contributions to the economy and local communities. This milestone reflects a legacy of innovation, excellence, and enduring commitment to the Labrador Trough region.
IOC President and Chief Executive Officer Mike McCann said: “As we celebrate 70 years of operations, we reflect on the remarkable journey that has shaped IOC into a leader in the iron ore industry. Our success is built on the dedication of our employees, the support of local communities, and our commitment to responsible practices. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue driving innovation, fostering strong partnerships, and contributing to the future of the Labrador Trough with the same spirit of excellence and responsibility that has defined us for decades.”
To commemorate this occasion, IOC hosted a reception at the historic Quebec North Shore and Labrador Station (QNS&L) in Sept-Îles. Held near the old locomotive, which symbolizes the importance of the rail line to IOC’s operations, the event featured key stakeholders including Chief Mike McKenzie of Premier Nation Innu Uashat mak Mani-utenam; Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; Kateri Champagne Jourdain, Quebec's Minister of Employment and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord Region; and Perry Trimper, MHA Lake Melville and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. Employees, customers, suppliers, and local community members were also in attendance. The celebration also featured a musical performance from renowned Innu singer-songwriter Florent Vollant, honoring IOC’s Indigenous relations.
Notes to editors
IOC is a leading North American producer and exporter of premium iron ore pellets and high-grade concentrate. Its operations include a mine with five operational pits, a concentrator, and a pelletizing plant located near Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador. These facilities are situated in the Labrador Trough, a significant basin with rich deposits of high-grade iron ore. High-grade iron ore, crucial for green steelmaking and decarbonization, is now listed on Canada’s, Quebec’s, and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Critical Minerals Lists, underscoring its pivotal role in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
IOC’s impact extends beyond its 2023 production of 9.7 Mt. Last year, IOC contributed $384 million to the federal, provincial, and local economies, while also investing $1.12 million in community initiatives. With nearly 3,000 employees in Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, Rio Tinto IOC remains an employer of choice in the Labrador West and Sept-Îles communities as it celebrates its 70th anniversary.
The origins of IOC trace back to 1929 when geologists James, Gill, Low, and Retty, under the guidance of Mathieu André and Francis Pinette, began exploring the Labrador Trough. By 1947, George Humphrey, who would later become IOC’s president, set a target to prospect 300 million tonnes of iron ore. This milestone set the stage for IOC’s future, leading to its official registration in 1949. With over 417 million tonnes of potential ore confirmed, development proceeded, including the construction of vital infrastructure such as the railroad connecting Sept-Îles to Schefferville.
On 15 July 1954, the first train loaded with iron ore departed from Schefferville, marking a key moment in IOC’s history. A few weeks later, on 1 August, the inaugural shipment arrived at the docks in Sept-Îles, with Premiers Joseph Smallwood of Newfoundland and Labrador and Maurice Duplessis of Quebec in attendance, highlighting the event’s significance for the region and the nation.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240829731576/en/
Please direct all enquiries to vanessa.damha@riotinto.com
Media Relations Vanessa Damha M +1 514 715 2152
Rio Tinto plc 6 St James’s Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885
Rio Tinto Limited Level 43, 120 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404
riotinto.com
Category: IOC
Source: Rio Tinto