Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) Critical Minerals Exposure

Rio Tinto is one of the world's largest mining groups, listed in London and Sydney, with American depositary shares traded in New York. Iron ore from Western Australia is its largest business, while aluminum, copper, lithium, borates and titanium give it one of the broadest critical minerals footprints in the industry. Its purchase of Arcadium Lithium in 2025 turned it into a leading lithium producer almost overnight.

Rio Tinto is linked to eight critical minerals. It is a major producer of aluminum, from bauxite to smelting in Canada and Australia, and of copper, from Kennecott in Utah, Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia and its stake in Escondida. Lithium comes from the former Arcadium operations in Argentina, Australia and Canada. Its Boron mine in California is one of the world's main sources of borates, and its titanium business in Quebec, South Africa and Madagascar produces titanium feedstock, with scandium recovered as a by-product. Silver comes from Kennecott, while gallium recovery from its alumina refining is in development.

Rio Tinto's aluminum operations run from bauxite in Queensland and Guinea to smelters in Quebec, British Columbia and Australia. Copper comes from Kennecott in Utah and Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia, plus its share of Escondida in Chile. Lithium comes from Fénix and Olaroz in Argentina, with further projects in Argentina and Canada, while borates come from Boron, California, and titanium from Sorel-Tracy in Quebec, Richards Bay in South Africa and QIT Madagascar Minerals.