Rio Tinto will reduce the annual carbon footprint associated with its Kennecott Utah Copper operation by as much as 65 per cent through purchasing renewable energy certificates and permanently shutting its coal power plant.

Kennecott’s electricity needs will now be paired with 1.5 million megawatt hours of renewable energy certificates supplied by Rocky Mountain Power, primarily sourced from its Utah allocated portfolio including wind power from Wyoming.

The change will reduce the annual carbon footprint associated with the operation by over one million tonnes CO2.

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said “Rio Tinto is committed to playing a part in the transition to a low-carbon economy. This move will significantly reduce emissions associated with our operations in Kennecott and allow us to offer customers copper, gold and silver with a reduced carbon footprint.

“The materials we produce, from infinitely recyclable aluminium and copper used in electrification to borates used in energy-efficient building materials and our higher grade iron ore product, all play a part in this transition to a low-carbon economy. Rio Tinto will continue to work with partners and customers to develop new sustainable solutions”.

The move to support renewable power is the result of collaboration with the Utah government, local communities and Rocky Mountain Power to improve air quality and deliver an alternative power solution.

The Governor of Utah Gary Herbert said “Rio Tinto’s decision to retire their power plant is a win-win for our community. Their decision will simultaneously support Utah’s shift toward a low carbon economy and improve air quality in the Salt Lake Valley.”

This is the latest initiative to make Kennecott greener. Since 2005, it has been smelting scrap metal such as old copper wiring into its smelting process. In 2018, it processed more than 2.8 million pounds of copper from recycled scrap metal, enough to provide the electrical wiring in 6,400 new homes.

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Rio Tinto supports World Bank launch of Climate-Smart Mining Facility.
The World Bank today launched its new Climate-Smart Mining Facility, aimed at building partnerships to manage the role mining will play in supplying the minerals needed for clean energy technologies to help address climate change.

The initiative will bring together governments, private sector companies, academic and research institutions to promote sustainable mining practices in resource rich developing countries, with initial support from Rio Tinto, Anglo American and the German government.

Climate-Smart Mining has been developed in concert with the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure that the benefits from the transition to low-carbon technologies are shared.

It will innovate and deploy financing to scale up technical assistance and support for projects such as:
The integration of renewable energy into mining operations
The strategic use of geological data for a better understanding of “strategic mineral” endowments
Forest-smart mining: preventing deforestation, supporting sustainable land-use practices and repurposing mine sites
Recycling of minerals: supporting developing countries to take a circular economy approach and reuse minerals in a way that respects the environment

The Facility will also assist governments to build a robust policy, regulatory and legal framework that promotes climate-smart mining and creates an enabling environment for private capital.

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said “The transition to clean energy solutions presents both a significant opportunity and responsibility for the mining industry, as it provides the materials that make these technologies possible.

“We want to be part of the solution on climate change and the best solutions will come from innovative partnerships across competitors, governments and institutions. Our collaboration with the World Bank and many others is aimed at making a real difference by promoting sustainable practices across our industry. We look forward to supporting the Climate-Smart Mining Facility by contributing not just funding but also expertise as a leader in sustainable mining practices.”

World Bank senior director and head of the Energy and Extractives Global Practice Riccardo Puliti said “The World Bank is committed to working with Rio Tinto and all stakeholders involved in creating renewable energy technologies. Given global demand for minerals used in energy storage and batteries, such as lithium, nickel and graphite, will soar by 2050, mining for these strategic minerals must be managed responsibly and sustainably.”