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Released October 15, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Global miner Rio Tinto (London, England) on Tuesday released its latest operational results and updated progress on its growth projects. Industrial Info is tracking $40 billion worth of projects from Rio Tinto across the globe.
In a press release, Chief Executive Officer Simon Trott said Rio Tinto's growth projects are "progressing at pace," including the Simandou project in the Republic of Guinea--a new open-pit iron ore mine and processing plant. He said the company started loading the first ore at the mine to be moved down the rail track and to the related port infrastructure in October. Vessel loading is expected to begin in November. Rio Tinto is co-developing the project with a variety of entities.
The project, which consists of four blocks, will ramp up over 30 months to an annualized capacity of 60 million tonnes per year (27 million tonnes for its share.)
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Project Database can read project reports for blocks 1 and 2 and blocks 3 and 4.
But it is Rio Tinto's Pilbara iron ore-mining operations in Australia that currently account for the company's recorded iron ore production and shipments. Pilbara saw 84.1 million tonnes (Rio Tinto's share is 71.8 million tonnes) of production in the third quarter and shipments of 84.3 million tonnes (Rio Tinto's share is 71.4 million tonnes), according to the latest results; both figures are flat compared with the same period in 2024.
The miner updated progress on an effort underway to boost iron ore production from the Pilbara operations: the Hope Downs 2 project. "Main works construction activities including bulk earthworks clearing and installation of tunnel segments over the rail line progressed ... Construction of road train transfer facilities has commenced." First production from a planned capacity of 34 million metric tonnes per year is expected to begin in 2027. Subscribers can click here to read the project report.
Rio Tinto said the Pilbara operations achieved its second-highest third-quarter shipments since 2019, and a figure up 6% from the second quarter.
In terms of lithium, Rio Tinto provided an update on its Rincon project in Argentina, in which the company is developing three subsequent lithium processing plant expansions. This includes a pilot plant and two full-scale expansions, to reach a total of 60,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate. "Earthworks commenced in preparation for the first concrete foundations, expected in October 2025."
Production at the Rincon project is expected to begin in 2028, ramping up to full capacity over three years. Subscribers can click here for the related project reports.
Another lithium project with production expected to begin in 2028 is underway, at the Nemaska Lithium operation in Quebec, Canada. The effort includes the Whabouchi mine and concentrator, where spodumene concentrate will be transported to a plant that will convert the concentrate to lithium hydroxide. Subscribers can read more information on the mine and concentrator and lithium hydroxide plant.
In its half-year 2025 financial results released in July, Rio Tinto said it expected about $11 billion in capital investment in 2025, which included its "view of the Arcadium lithium capital profile."
Rio Tinto completed its acquisition of Arcadium Lithium in March, for a value of $6.7 billion, and Arcadium's assets in Argentina could lead to a roughly 130% increase in Rio Tinto's lithium output by 2028. For more information, see October 10, 2024, article - Rio Tinto to Acquire Arcadium Lithium for $6.7 Billion.
Rio Tinto's US$1 billion+ expansion of its aluminum smelter in Jonquiere, Quebec is progressing on track, with commissioning expected by the first quarter of 2026. The project will add 96 new AP60 pots, which produce low-carbon, high-quality aluminum, which will increase capacity from 60,000 to 220,000 tons per year. The smelter is expected to be fully ramped up by the end of 2026. Subscribers can click here for more project information.
In copper, mined production at the Oyu Tolgoi Gold-Copper Mine Complex in Mongolia is ramping up, and Rio Tinto expects the additional production will boost copper output by more than 50% this year.
The company added it is on track to reach the higher end of its full-year guidance for total copper production, driven by the Oyu Tolgoi ramp-up. In addition, the Kennecott mine in Utah "performed as expected during the quarter."
Rio Tinto aims to extend the life of Kennecott's 400,000 ton-per-day open-pit Bingham Canyon mine to 2032 through a US$1.5 billion Phase II extension and upgrade project. The project entails pushing back and deepening the south wall, which will allow mining to continue into a new area of the orebody. Rio Tinto said this week that sustainable ore production from this phase is expected to be reached in the second half of 2027. Subscribers can click here to read more information on the project.
In July, after President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on imported copper, the company said it had a "strong desire" to invest more in U.S. copper; the tariff went into effect August 1. For more information, see July 16, 2025, article - Rio Tinto Wants to Further U.S. Copper Investment Amid Tariffs.
The company this week briefly discussed the impact of tariffs on its global markets: In the third quarter, Rio Tinto "front-loaded investments ahead of anticipated tariffs," and "business and consumer sentiment weakened due to persistent trade tensions."
Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Database can click here for a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and click here for a full list of related plant profiles.
Subscribers can click here for a full list of Rio Tinto projects across the globe.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
In a press release, Chief Executive Officer Simon Trott said Rio Tinto's growth projects are "progressing at pace," including the Simandou project in the Republic of Guinea--a new open-pit iron ore mine and processing plant. He said the company started loading the first ore at the mine to be moved down the rail track and to the related port infrastructure in October. Vessel loading is expected to begin in November. Rio Tinto is co-developing the project with a variety of entities.
The project, which consists of four blocks, will ramp up over 30 months to an annualized capacity of 60 million tonnes per year (27 million tonnes for its share.)
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Project Database can read project reports for blocks 1 and 2 and blocks 3 and 4.
But it is Rio Tinto's Pilbara iron ore-mining operations in Australia that currently account for the company's recorded iron ore production and shipments. Pilbara saw 84.1 million tonnes (Rio Tinto's share is 71.8 million tonnes) of production in the third quarter and shipments of 84.3 million tonnes (Rio Tinto's share is 71.4 million tonnes), according to the latest results; both figures are flat compared with the same period in 2024.
The miner updated progress on an effort underway to boost iron ore production from the Pilbara operations: the Hope Downs 2 project. "Main works construction activities including bulk earthworks clearing and installation of tunnel segments over the rail line progressed ... Construction of road train transfer facilities has commenced." First production from a planned capacity of 34 million metric tonnes per year is expected to begin in 2027. Subscribers can click here to read the project report.
Rio Tinto said the Pilbara operations achieved its second-highest third-quarter shipments since 2019, and a figure up 6% from the second quarter.
In terms of lithium, Rio Tinto provided an update on its Rincon project in Argentina, in which the company is developing three subsequent lithium processing plant expansions. This includes a pilot plant and two full-scale expansions, to reach a total of 60,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate. "Earthworks commenced in preparation for the first concrete foundations, expected in October 2025."
Production at the Rincon project is expected to begin in 2028, ramping up to full capacity over three years. Subscribers can click here for the related project reports.
Another lithium project with production expected to begin in 2028 is underway, at the Nemaska Lithium operation in Quebec, Canada. The effort includes the Whabouchi mine and concentrator, where spodumene concentrate will be transported to a plant that will convert the concentrate to lithium hydroxide. Subscribers can read more information on the mine and concentrator and lithium hydroxide plant.
In its half-year 2025 financial results released in July, Rio Tinto said it expected about $11 billion in capital investment in 2025, which included its "view of the Arcadium lithium capital profile."
Rio Tinto completed its acquisition of Arcadium Lithium in March, for a value of $6.7 billion, and Arcadium's assets in Argentina could lead to a roughly 130% increase in Rio Tinto's lithium output by 2028. For more information, see October 10, 2024, article - Rio Tinto to Acquire Arcadium Lithium for $6.7 Billion.
Rio Tinto's US$1 billion+ expansion of its aluminum smelter in Jonquiere, Quebec is progressing on track, with commissioning expected by the first quarter of 2026. The project will add 96 new AP60 pots, which produce low-carbon, high-quality aluminum, which will increase capacity from 60,000 to 220,000 tons per year. The smelter is expected to be fully ramped up by the end of 2026. Subscribers can click here for more project information.
In copper, mined production at the Oyu Tolgoi Gold-Copper Mine Complex in Mongolia is ramping up, and Rio Tinto expects the additional production will boost copper output by more than 50% this year.
The company added it is on track to reach the higher end of its full-year guidance for total copper production, driven by the Oyu Tolgoi ramp-up. In addition, the Kennecott mine in Utah "performed as expected during the quarter."
Rio Tinto aims to extend the life of Kennecott's 400,000 ton-per-day open-pit Bingham Canyon mine to 2032 through a US$1.5 billion Phase II extension and upgrade project. The project entails pushing back and deepening the south wall, which will allow mining to continue into a new area of the orebody. Rio Tinto said this week that sustainable ore production from this phase is expected to be reached in the second half of 2027. Subscribers can click here to read more information on the project.
In July, after President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on imported copper, the company said it had a "strong desire" to invest more in U.S. copper; the tariff went into effect August 1. For more information, see July 16, 2025, article - Rio Tinto Wants to Further U.S. Copper Investment Amid Tariffs.
The company this week briefly discussed the impact of tariffs on its global markets: In the third quarter, Rio Tinto "front-loaded investments ahead of anticipated tariffs," and "business and consumer sentiment weakened due to persistent trade tensions."
Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Database can click here for a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and click here for a full list of related plant profiles.
Subscribers can click here for a full list of Rio Tinto projects across the globe.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
