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
Our business in Africa dates back to 1929 when we first invested in copper in Zambia. Today we produce 3 commodities, bauxite in Guinea, mineral sands in South Africa, and ilmenite in Madagascar. In 2025, we remain on track for first iron ore at Simandou in Guinea, the largest mining project in Africa.
We’re active in 9 countries across Africa from as far North as Guinea right down to South Africa. We have a workforce of more than 20,000 people (including contractors and joint venture partners) working across our operations in South Africa, Madagascar and Guinea, our projects in Guinea and Mozambique, and explorations in Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda and Malawi.
Operations
Our Richards Bay Minerals operation is a world leader in heavy mineral sands extraction and refining and is South Africa’s largest mineral sands producer.
Our operation near Fort Dauphin in the Anosy region of south-eastern Madagascar produces ilmenite, which is a major source of titanium dioxide.
Non-managed operation
Projects
Project
Local suppliers and host communities play a crucial role in strengthening local economies and societies. By expanding opportunities for these suppliers, we can enhance the long-term advantages for the regions in which we operate.
We're replacing electricity generated from gas and coal with solutions like solar, wind, and other renewable technologies to reduce emissions across our mines, processing plants and supporting infrastructure.
In South Africa, Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) has secured approximately 500MW of renewable energy generation capacity through 3 Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), all of which are scheduled to become operational by the end of 2026.
In January 2025, we signed an agreement withRed Rocket South Africa, which will see construction of the Overberg Wind Farm, near Swellendam in the Western Cape. It is expected to commence in the first quarter 2025, with the first energy flow expected in December 2026. A total of 230MW new generation capacity will be allocated to our operations for a period of 20 years.
The Overberg Wind Farm project is expected to significantly reduce RBM’s annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by around 30%.
In 2022, we signed of the Bolobedu Solar PV project, located at around 120km east of Polokwane in Limpopo. The 130MW Bolobedu Solar PV project has the capacity to generate around 300GWh of nergy per annum, and construction is underway.
In 2024, we signed a PPA for the Khangela Emoyeni Wind Farm, located near Murraysburg in the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces. The 140MW project is expected to deliver around 460GWh of renewable energy per annum to RBM through a wheeling arrangement with Eskom. Construction of the project began in July 2024 and is progressing well.
In Madagascar, QIT Madagascar Minerals has signed a partnership with CrossBoundary Energy to build and operate a solar and wind energy plant that will provide at least 20 megawatts (MW) to our operations. Once operational, it will provide 60% of QMM’s power and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 26,000 tonnes.
In 2023, we successfully commissioned our 8MW solar plant – a major step towards reducing the environmental footprint of our operation. A 6MW extension of this solar plant has been approved. Madagascar’s first 16MW wind turbine facility is under construction, scheduled for completion by 2025.