QIT Minerals Madagascar (QMM), a local subsidiary of which Rio Tinto is 80% owner, starts mining for ilmenite at Mandena in southern Madagascar. The Anosy region where the mine is located is “one of the most ecologically diverse regions of Madagascar, but also one of...
After years of negotiation with the Mongolian government, Rio Tinto signs an investment agreement for the Oyu Tolgoi mine. One of the key issues for Rio Tinto had been the recently introduced windfall profit tax for mining companies, and the company only invests once...
Congressman Rick Renzie introduces the first of what would be 12 attempts to pass legislation in the US Congress to privatize Oak Flat in Arizona in order to facilitate the Resolution Copper mine. Renzie is later convicted of attempting to bribe Rio Tinto in exchange...
The New York Times publishes an article outlining illegal and secret payments made to the Indonesian police and military by Freeport McMoran, the company with which Rio Tinto is in a joint venture ownership of the Grasberg mine. The payments are for security...
After years of explorations, large copper reserves are discovered at Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia’s Gobi desert. While multiple companies have been involved over the years, the Oyu Tolgoi mine today is jointly owned by the Mongolian government which holds 34% ownership...
