Rio Tinto said it will transition its fleet of 90 haul trucks and all heavy machinery to renewable diesel at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah next year. The decision comes after a successful seven-month trial at Kennecott’s Bingham Canyon mine. “Transitioning Kennecott completely to renewable diesel builds on a suite of decarbonization initiatives that have reduced carbon emissions from…
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Kavinoky named AMA president
Paul Kavinoky has been named president of the Alabama Mining Association (AMA), succeeding Patrick Cagle, who is stepping down to pursue a career in ministry. Kavinoky has more than 30 years of experience in external affairs, public policy, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement. During his career, he has worked in every aspect of mining including coal, hardrock minerals, aggregates, oil,…
Read MoreRio Tinto teams with Prysmian on sustainable materials supply
Rio Tinto said that it and cable solution provider Prysmian are partnering to build a more sustainable North American supply chain for materials needed to expand power grids for the energy transition. To help satisfy an increased demand, Rio Tinto and Prysmian signed a five-year supply agreement for low-carbon aluminium made with renewable hydropower from Rio Tinto’s Canadian operations. The…
Read MoreA returning beauty
Former Rio Tinto mining site in Utah opens to the public as a stunning multi-use regional park. NAM finds out more about this reclamation triumph. By Donna Schmidt The E and S in ESG (environmental, social and governance) is not limited just to mining efforts while in production. That commitment extends long after the last shovel swipe and unloading of…
Read MoreMetso, Rio Tinto move to next phase of BioIron
Metso said it has been awarded a detailed design and engineering contract for Rio Tinto’s continuous pilot plant (CPP) for the BioIron process – a low-carbon, iron-making process that the companies have been working together to progress. “We are very excited to continue the close working relationship with Rio Tinto and to provide engineering and design support as we move…
Read MoreRio Tinto Kennecott adds solar plant
Rio Tinto has wrapped up construction of a new 5-megawatt solar power plant that will run its Kennecott copper mine outside Salt Lake City, Utah. The 12,800-solar-panel plan will serve as a pilot project, with its ultimate goal being to expand the mine’s solar energy supply. Commissioning is scheduled in the coming weeks, and Rio Tinto said the addition will…
Read MoreFortune Minerals, Rio Tinto to test critical mineral recovery
Fortune Minerals and Rio Tinto have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop technology that will improve recovery of cobalt and bismuth from Rio Tinto’s co-product streams to expand production of critical minerals. The companies said testing will take place at Rio Tinto Kennecott’s integrated copper mining and smelting operations in Utah and at Fortune’s planned Alberta Refinery in Canada.…
Read MoreWorld-first: a renewable transition at Rio’s U.S. Borax
Rio Tinto confirmed in early June that its U.S. Borax operation in Boron, California became the world’s first open-pit mine to complete a full transition of its heavy machinery from fossil fuel to renewable diesel. To put the scope of the milestone in perspective, the global miner said the change brings an anticipated CO2 equivalent reduction of up to 45,000…
Read MoreCopper and The Road to Net Zero
When it comes to decarbonization, there are few elements more critical to the transition than copper. But copper miners are also working hard to decarbonize their own operations. North American Mining spoke to Nicole Witoslawski of the International Copper Association about the sector’s journey to net zero. By Jonathan Rowland There is an implied narrative in many discussions about mining…
Read MoreRio Tinto to power Diavik with Canada’s largest solar plant
Rio Tinto said it will build the largest solar power plant in Canada to provide up to 25% of its Diavik diamond mine’s electricity during closure work that will run until 2029. The miner anticipates the plant will be fully operational in the first half of 2024. The solar power plant, which will generate 4,200 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, will…
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