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
Lithium Deep Dive and site visit, 8 December 2025
An investor site visit to our lithium operations in Argentina
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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 interns
If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it
In-house consulting
Discover how our in-house consultancy team, PACE, offers a unique opportunity to help shape Rio Tinto from the inside
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Lithium is an essential ingredient in lithium-ion batteries for powering electric vehicles, energy grids and data centres, laptops, power tools, phones and other devices we use every day. It’s also used in various applications ranging from industrial greases and high-performance tires to pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. It’s the lightest of all metals, has high energy density and exhibits low thermal expansion, making it well suited for use in everything from batteries in pacemakers to metal alloys used in planes and spacecraft. We have one of the world’s largest lithium portfolios and a deep pipeline of development options. With demand expected to grow for years to come, we’re committed to delivering the lithium the world needs – responsibly, reliably and at scale. Across our global operations we extract lithium using a range of proven techniques like direct lithium brine extraction (DLE), conventional pond-based brine extraction and hard-rock mining. We also produce a range of products including lithium chloride, lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, spodumene concentrate, high purity lithium metal, butyllithium and other lithium specialty chemicals. Mining lithium and producing lithium products means we can provide our customers with a more resilient supply chain while affording us greater operating flexibility and efficiency. We have a long history of innovation and producing lithium compounds safely and sustainably. We helped create the first lithium batteries and partner with customers leading the way in energy storage and electrification.
We also have our own state-of-the-art research and development facilities, focused on testing and understanding new ways to improve energy storage and lithium delivery.
Without lithium ion batteries you won’t have rapid mass adoption of electric vehicles or energy storage. And without the lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite anode and manganese supply chains to feed these battery plants, you won’t have lithium ion batteries.”
- Simon Moores, Managing Director, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
As a global leader in lithium mining and production, we innovate and partner with our customers to pioneer new solutions providing high-quality finished lithium compounds and improving the lithium value chain.
We support industry-wide initiatives aimed at building a competitive, sustainable and innovative value chain like the European Battery Alliance and the European Raw Materials Alliance. We’re also members of the Global Battery Alliance, a public-private collaboration to help establish a sustainable battery value chain.
We’re strengthening our lithium extraction capabilities through a new partnership with ILiAD Technologies, a market leader in DLE. This partnership supports our commitment to improving efficiency, sustainability and cost-effectiveness across our operations. ILiAD’s technology enables the extraction of high-purity lithium chloride from a wide range of lithium-laden brine resources. This technology complements our existing DLE capabilities at both Fénix and Rincon, helping us unlock greater value while supporting sustainability goals.
LIOVIX® is a unique printable lithium formation that can improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries, reduce manufacturing costs and enable the next generation of battery technology. It offers longer battery life, lower manufacturing costs and enhanced safety.
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