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
Rio Tinto will develop Pongamia seed farms in Australia as part of a new biofuels pilot to explore the potential of Pongamia seed oil as a feedstock for renewable diesel, a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
We’re in the final stages of acquiring about 3,000ha of cleared land near Townsville in north Queensland to establish the pilot farms. Working with our partners Midway Limited, we’ll plant approximately 750,000 Pongamia saplings on land historically cleared of native vegetation and used for hay, cattle grazing or sugar cane. The Pongamia trees will take 4–5 years to mature and produce seeds, which can be harvested annually. The trees and soil remain intact to store carbon. The pilot will study growth conditions, measure seed oil yields, and assess the viability of Pongamia seed oil as a renewable diesel feedstock.
Renewable diesel is a drop-in replacement to fossil diesel fuel. It can be made from fats and oils and has lower life-cycle emissions.
The most efficient and cost-effective long term-solution to reduce fossil diesel use in our mining fleet and equipment is electrification, however we’re not expecting mass deployment of battery electric haul trucks throughout our operations to be technically or commercially feasible before 2030. We’re collaborating with BHP, Caterpillar and Komatsu to pilot battery haul truck technology in the Pilbara. We’re developing complementary pathways to more immediately reduce diesel-sourced emissions, including the use of biofuels, while we continue to invest in projects to support electrification. We have transitioned our US operations in California and Utah to renewable diesel but Australia currently lacks a sufficient biofuel feedstock industry to meet domestic demand. This pilot represents an important step in helping to bridge that gap and advance our decarbonisation goals.
For more details about the Pongamia farm pilot, contact Midway Limited.