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
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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
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Our first solar plant will provide the majority of Gudai-Darri’s power. Gudai-Darri will be our most technologically advanced mine yet.
At Gudai-Darri, we are installing a 34MW photovoltaic solar farm. This will consist of approximately 100,000 solar panels made up of photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity by allowing particles of light, or photons, to separate electrons from atoms, which in turn generates a flow of electricity. The electricity is managed through inverters that convert it to usable power.
On average, the solar plant is expected to supply all of Gudai-Darri’s electricity demand during peak solar power generation times and approximately 65% of the mine’s average electricity demand. Together with a new lithium-ion battery energy storage system, the solar plant is estimated to reduce our annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 90,000 tonnes compared to conventional gas powered generation. This is the equivalent of taking about 28,000 cars off the road.
Yes – we have further studies underway to assess the right technology, location and size of future potential opportunities to lower our carbon emissions in the Pilbara. These may include more solar plants, as well as wind and battery projects. We are working closely with the government of Western Australia and the Environmental Protection Authority in Western Australia.
We have publicly acknowledged the reality of climate change for more than 20 years, and climate risks have been a part of our strategic thinking for just as long. As of end 2019, 76% of the electricity used across our business was from renewable sources (solar, hydro and wind). While we have a number of small-scale solar installations currently in operation across our rail network, large-scale plants have only recently become economically viable. The solar plant at Gudai-Darri will be our first, and we will continue to integrate renewable energies in the way we develop and operate our mines so that we can continue to make them more sustainable.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, subject to government approvals, and is due to be completed in 2021.
Our preference is always to buy local products and engage local services, and we have a robust local procurement policy. We will be launching our competitive tendering process for the solar plant early this year.
We are looking at a number of opportunities across the Pilbara and more widely in our product groups to integrate renewable energy and further reduce our carbon footprint.
We regularly share our knowledge and lessons learned across our business, so we will continue to look for ways to make the most of this technology.
We believe we can be part of the solution, and we continue to look for ways to reduce the carbon impact of our operations. Choosing renewable energy over traditional power generation, like we are doing at Gudai-Darri, is one of them. Globally, our emissions intensity footprint has dropped by almost 30% since 2008. And in 2018 we sold our remaining coal assets, becoming the first major mining company to have a portfolio free of fossil fuel production.
Today, the materials we produce will play a key part in the transition to a low-carbon economy – like aluminium made with clean hydropower, and copper for electric cars. Across our business, we are focused on making our materials more sustainable across the value chain. For example, in 2019, we partnered with China’s largest steel producer, China Baowu Steel Group, and Tsinghua University, one of China’s most prestigious and influential universities, to work on a joint action plan – supported by the China Iron and Steel Association – to help reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental performance across the steel value chain.