Rio Tinto Energizes 25MW Solar Plant at Kennecott, Boosting Capacity to 30MW and Cutting Emissions
Rio Tinto energized a 25MW solar plant at its Kennecott mine, bringing total capacity to 30MW and cutting Scope 2 emissions by 6%. The installation used over 71,000 tellurium-containing panels produced on site and was completed two months ahead of schedule, boosting supply chain circularity and operational sustainability.
1. Record Pilbara Iron Ore Production and Shipments
In the fourth quarter of 2025, Rio Tinto achieved a record 89.7 million tonnes of Pilbara iron ore production, up 4% year-on-year, while shipments rose 7% to 91.3 million tonnes. This performance marked the strongest quarter since extreme weather disruptions earlier in the year and positions the company to meet its 2026 Pilbara iron ore sales guidance of 323–338 million tonnes. Chief Executive Simon Trott highlighted the operational resilience that underpinned the recovery and the company’s streamlined operating model that continues to deliver performance gains.
2. Simandou Project Reaches First Shipment Milestone
Simandou, Rio Tinto’s flagship growth project in Guinea, celebrated its first cargo shipment in Q4 2025, a significant step in the rapid development of one of the world’s highest-grade iron ore deposits. The milestone demonstrates the company’s ability to execute major infrastructure projects on schedule and is expected to contribute meaningfully to annual iron ore volumes once ramp-up phases are complete. Management noted that ongoing project delivery at Simandou will support incremental volume growth beyond the Pilbara operations.
3. Diversified Metals Output Growth
Rio Tinto reported an 8% increase in copper equivalent production in 2025, driven by the ramp-up at the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine and record bauxite volumes. Copper output rose 11% to 883 kt, exceeding the top end of guidance, while bauxite output reached 62.4 Mt for the full year. Alumina production totaled 7.6 Mt, in line with guidance, and aluminium output increased by 3% to 3.38 Mt. The company’s lithium operations also delivered planned growth, supporting its strategy to capture value across multiple commodity cycles.
4. Expansion of Renewable Energy at Kennecott
Rio Tinto has energized a new 25 MW solar facility at its Kennecott copper mine, bringing total on-site solar capacity to 30 MW. The installation, featuring over 71,000 tellurium-infused panels produced through a domestic supply chain, reduces Scope 2 emissions by approximately 6% and supplies electricity equivalent to the annual needs of about 1,026 U.S. households. Completed two months ahead of schedule in partnership with Bechtel, the project exemplifies Rio Tinto’s commitment to circularity and low-carbon operations.