Rio Tinto officially opened the Fénix 1B and Sal de Vida lithium projects in Argentina following a $1.4 billion investment, with first production achieved ahead of schedule in Q2. Meanwhile, the company suspended underground operations at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia on October 29 following a seismic event and rockfall. By October 30, Rio Tinto was preparing to resume mining activities at the site. These events highlight the company's expansion in the lithium market alongside operational management in its copper division.
Rio Tinto suspended mining after seismic activity on October 29, while the mine’s output has risen 29% year to date and a safety review is underway.
Read the full storyThe company said 3 employees were injured and underground operations were suspended pending a safety review, following seismic activity on October 29.
The projects add 25,000 tonnes a year of production capacity, while the company's lithium carbonate equivalent output rose 33% year over year in the first nine months of 2026.