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
Decarbonisation progress update
We have a clear plan on decarbonisation - find out more about our progress
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
The 'f' word of innovation
How unlocking innovation requires a change of mindset
Reducing titanium oxide's carbon footprint
Our BlueSmelting technology could drastically reduce carbon emissions during ore processing
Discover more about life at Rio Tinto
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If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it
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Steel is the most used metal in the world. It’s integral to everyday life due to its strength, longevity and versatility. It’s used in everything from household appliances like washing machines and fridges, all the way up to major infrastructure like bridges, skyscrapers and even the towers that support wind turbines.
Iron ore is the primary raw material used to make steel, and a significant part of our business involves mining and producing 5 iron ore products across 17 integrated mines in the vast and beautiful Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Producing this essential material uses a lot of energy, which we currently source mostly from non-renewable sources — gas to power our mines and processing plants, and diesel to run our trucks and trains.
And we know we must address this.
This means working with our people and partners to determine the best ways to replace gas and diesel with sustainable alternatives.
By working closely with Traditional Owners, local businesses and industry partners, we’re hoping to co-design renewable energy solutions that will decarbonise our operations in a way that also benefits the communities we operate in.
We operate one of the world’s largest microgrids at our Pilbara operations, underpinned by 480 megawatts (MW) of gas-based power capacity.
In a region that’s blessed with ample year-round sunshine and strong winds at night, the Pilbara offers one of the best opportunities in the world to harness solar and wind power for energy generation.
We estimate that we will require 600–700MW of renewable energy to displace the majority of gas use across our Pilbara power network, a capacity that’s enough to power roughly 160,000 homes.
Supported by large scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), this energy source will provide reliable and secure energy to the Pilbara.
But we face some big challenges to achieve this.
The Pilbara is remote, posing labour and cost challenges, and we need to make sure that any new infrastructure will be located to minimise impacts on the local environment and community.
We’re working with Traditional Owners, local communities and suppliers to develop innovative, fit-for-purpose solutions.
Working together with the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, we’re progressing the development of an 80MW solar farm on Ngarluma Country, near Karratha, to supply renewable energy to our Pilbara operations.
When complete, this project has the potential to reduce the amount of natural gas currently used for generation across our Pilbara operations by up to 11% and could reduce Rio Tinto’s emissions by up to 120kT CO2e.
The project underscores the significance of our relationship with the Ngarluma community and demonstrates our commitment to working together towards a more sustainable future. It’s an example of how we intend to approach renewable energy projects – creating new partnerships, strengthening existing relationships and providing social and economic benefits to local communities.
The impact of this project is consistent with the ambition of the Traditional Owners, that is, to preserve country, preserve air, and use the forces of nature to generate good.”
- Ljuba Mojovic, CEO, Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation
We're also exploring a renewable energy project with the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), called Project Jinbi. Currently in development by YEC, Jinbi includes 75MW of solar on a greenfield site located west of Millstream Chichester National Park on Yindjibarndi Country.
It’s the first project we’re exploring together since we signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on a range of potential renewable energy opportunities, including wind and solar power, as well as battery energy storage systems.
"Our people are encouraged by Rio Tinto's interest in building this capacity with us," Yindjibarndi Chief Executive Michael Woodley said.
"This will strengthen our existing partnership and provide long term benefits for our community, while also ensuring we can protect and preserve the areas of cultural, spiritual and environmental significance within our ngurra (country)."
We’re focusing on environmental surveys and monitoring programs at preferred sites, and engineering work to help integrate our future wind and solar farms into our existing grid. We're also investigating options for future large-scale wind and solar projects at other sites across the Pilbara.
Our Gudai-Darri solar farm has completed its commissioning works and is progressing the testing and ramp up to full capacity. It has the potential to provide one-third of the mine’s electricity needs to power our fixed plants and infrastructure during peak periods.
Together with the Tom Price battery electric storage system (BESS), the solar plant is set to reduce our annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 90,000 tonnes – the same amount produced by 6,000 homes in Australia every year.
When paired with the early phases of fleet electrification, we project that the first 1GW of renewables will abate around one million tonnes of CO2e – equivalent to more than what 200,000 cars would emit in a year, and about a third of our total Scope 1 and 2 emissions across our Iron Ore business.
We know that we still have a long way to go to meet our target of halving our emissions from our operations by 2030.
But by working with Traditional Owners, local businesses and partners, we’re hoping we can effectively harness the natural elements of the Pilbara to accelerate our decarbonisation and provide a sustainable future for the communities where we operate.
How we process personal data provided or obtained through this website.
With the exception of the use of cookies, Rio Tinto generally does not seek to collect personal data through this website. However if you choose to provide personal data to Rio Tinto through this website (for example, by sending us an email), we will process that personal data to answer your query and if relevant, to manage our business relationship with you or your company. We won't process that personal data for other purposes except where required to meet our legal obligations or otherwise as authorised by law and notified to you.
If you choose to subscribe to our media releases or other communications, you can unsubscribe at any time (by following the instructions in the email or by contacting us).
With your consent, our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site. A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer if you agree. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive.
As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of our Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
With the exception of the use of cookies (explained below), Rio Tinto generally does not seek to collect personal data through this website. However if you choose to provide personal data to Rio Tinto through this website (for example, by sending us an email), we will process that personal data to answer your query and if relevant, to manage our business relationship with you or your company. We won't process that personal data for other purposes except where required to meet our legal obligations or otherwise as authorised by law and notified to you.
Part 1 of this Privacy Policy contains the Rio Tinto Data Privacy Standard, which provides an overview of Rio Tinto’s approach to personal data processing. There is additional information in the appendices to the Data Privacy Standard, including information about disclosures, trans-border data transfers, the exercise of data subject rights and how to make complaints or obtain further information relating to Rio Tinto’s processing of your personal data.
If you choose to subscribe to our media releases or other communications, you can unsubscribe at any time (by following the instructions in the email or by contacting us at digital.comms@riotinto.com).
With your consent, our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site.
A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer if you agree. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive.
As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of this Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
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