Rio Tinto’s Upcoming Mining Projects in 2025: A Global Overview
Upcoming Mining Projects in 2025
As of May 2025, Rio Tinto is advancing several significant mining projects across Australia, the United States, and Argentina. These initiatives span various minerals, including lithium, copper, and iron ore, aligning with the company’s strategy to support the global energy transition and meet increasing demand for critical minerals.
Australia
Rhodes Ridge Project (Western Australia)
Located in the Eastern Pilbara region, the Rhodes Ridge project is one of the world’s largest undeveloped iron ore deposits. Rio Tinto, in partnership with Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd, is progressing a pre-feasibility study (PFS) with an initial capacity of up to 40 million tonnes per year. The PFS is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with first ore anticipated by the end of the decade.
Brockman Syncline 1 (Pilbara, Western Australia)
As part of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations, the Brockman Syncline 1 project is set to commence production in the first half of 2025. This development is part of a broader strategy to replace depleting mines and maintain production capacity in the region.
United States
Kennecott Underground Project (Utah)
At the Kennecott copper mine in Utah, Rio Tinto has approved $498 million in funding for underground development in the North Rim Skarn area. Production is slated to begin in 2025, with an expected ramp-up over two years to deliver approximately 250,000 tonnes of additional mined copper over the next decade.
Resolution Copper Project (Arizona)
The Resolution Copper project, a joint venture with BHP, aims to develop a significant copper mine in Arizona. However, the project faces legal challenges from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, who oppose the land transfer due to the site’s cultural significance. A U.S. federal judge has temporarily halted the land exchange, with a ruling expected by May 14, 2025.
Argentina
Rincon Lithium Project (Salta Province)
Rio Tinto is investing $2.5 billion to expand the Rincon lithium project, located in Argentina’s Salta Province. The expansion aims to increase production capacity to 60,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate, with construction scheduled to begin in mid-2025 and first production expected in 2028.
Arcadium Lithium Acquisition
Rio Tinto is in the process of acquiring Arcadium Lithium, a company with significant lithium brine assets in Argentina. The acquisition, valued at nearly $11 billion, is expected to close by mid-2025, pending regulatory approvals.
