Rio Tinto plans to begin operations at its Resolution Copper project in Arizona by the mid-2030s, but may export part of the concentrate due to challenging smelting economics in the US, a senior executive said. The company recently secured the necessary land after a long legal battle with the San Carlos Apache tribe. Resolution is expected to produce over 18 million tonnes of copper over its lifetime. Separately, Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine in Canada has closed after 23 years of operation, with closure activities continuing through 2029.

【SMM Steel】Hunan Iron & Steel opened a new subsidiary in Perth on Mar 17, 2026, marking a strategic shift from resource buying to deeper industrial engagement in Australia. Representatives from Rio Tinto, Fortescue, and nearly 30 major firms attended. The group has shipped over 100 Mt of iron ore to Fortescue over 17 years and recently signed a green iron project deal. The new unit will coordinate trade and equipment supply.

A Rio Tinto executive said the company expected the Resolution Copper mine in Arizona, US, to come online in the mid-2030s.After years of litigation, this Anglo-Australian mining giant secured control of the land required to build one of the world's largest copper mines this month.The company had now launched a $500 million drilling program to explore the previously inaccessible 30% of the deposit. This exploration would help the company determine the commissioning timetable, but the first batch of copper ore was expected to be produced within a decade.

Rio Tinto expects Resolution Copper mine to open by mid-2030s, may export some concentrate HOUSTON, March 24 (Reuters) – Rio Tinto aims to bring its Resolution Copper project in Arizona online by the mid-2030s, but may need to export some copper concentrate due to challenging economics for smelting in the U.S., a senior executive said on Tuesday. The mining giant recently gained control of key acreage for the project after a lengthy court battle.

On Wednesday, March 25, Australia announced it will invest A$2 billion (US$1.4 billion) over 10 years to support the continued operation of Rio Tinto's Boyne smelter, the country's second-largest aluminum smelter. Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres stated that the investment, shared equally by the federal and Queensland governments, will bring nearly A$7.5 billion in new investment to Queensland, with Rio Tinto covering the energy asset investment. This financial support will ensure that Boyne Smelters Limited, majority-owned by Rio Tinto, continues aluminum production after its existing power contract expires in 2029, and at least until 2040.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Rio Tinto has partnered with the Queensland Government and Commonwealth Government to secure the long-term future of the Boyne aluminum smelter in Gladstone. The deal includes A$2 billion in government funding through 2040 and builds on Rio Tinto’s PPAs underpinning A$7.5 billion in new renewable energy and storage. It ensures Boyne Smelters Limited will remain cost-competitive and continue production beyond its current 2029 power contract as part of the Future Made in Australia.

SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Overnight, LME copper opened at $12,016.5/mt. After dipping to $11,955.5/mt in early trading, its center rose sharply to a high of $12,160/mt, and then continued to hover at highs, finally closing at $12,092.5/mt, down 1.05%. Trading volume reached 23,000 lots, open interest stood at 293,000 lots, up 406 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting increased short positions overall. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2605 contract opened at 93,600 yuan/mt and touched a low of 93,480 yuan/mt at the open. Its center then moved higher to a high of 94,990 yuan/mt, after which copper prices maintained a fluctuating trend at highs, finally closing at 94,670 yuan/mt, up 0.17%. Trading volume reached 51,000 lots, open interest stood at 198,000 lots, down 533 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting reduced short positions throughout the day.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall near Coen, Far North Queensland, Australia, around 7:30 AM on March 20, 2026, as a Category 4 system (after peaking as Cat 5 offshore). It brought winds >250 km/h, 200–500 mm rain, flash flooding, and storm surge—one of the strongest cyclones to hit the region in decades. Rio Tinto shut down its Weipa bauxite operations (including Amrun and Andoom mines) as a precaution against destructive winds, heavy rain, and risks to infrastructure. The Weipa area supplies key global bauxite for aluminium production. Emergency evacuations occurred in remote communities like Lockhart River.

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) said on Monday it has gained control of acreage in Arizona needed to build the Resolution Copper mine, a project slated to become one of the largest US sources of the critical mineral but one that Native Americans have opposed for more than 20 years.

Rio Tinto said it has gained control of the land needed to build the Resolution Copper mine in Arizona, USA.