Rio Tinto & CATL: The Future of Electric Mining
The global mining sector is experiencing its most substantial operational transformation since the advent of the internal combustion engine.
According to Deloitte's industry outlook, the shift from diesel to electric power extends beyond carbon footprint reduction; it represents a complete reimagining of mine site operations.
Through the adoption of battery-electric fleets in place of traditional haulage systems, mining companies could address the from 20% to 25% of total site emissions that are typically produced by diesel combustion.
Global mining company Rio Tinto and battery technology manufacturer CATL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a partnership. The collaboration will concentrate on electrification strategy development and innovation, supply chains and the circular economy, and business and cooperation mechanisms.
Former Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm said in a 2024 report: "We continue to believe electrification is the most efficient and cost-effective way to eliminate our diesel emissions."
The two companies have entered into extensive cooperation to jointly identify new industrial opportunities emerging from the low carbon transition.
Rio Tinto Group Global Purchasing President Jamie Sanders and CATL International Investment Management Department Director Luo Haining signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations. Rio Tinto Group Chief Commercial Officer Bold Baatar and CATL Chief Financial Officer Zheng Shu attended and witnessed the signing.
According to the memorandum, both parties will focus on advancing electrification applications in mining operations, exploring commercial pathways for battery materials recycling and the circular development of key mineral resources, and researching circular economy practices and diverse cooperation models.
CATL will utilise its capabilities in battery technology, systems integration and new energy solutions to support Rio Tinto in improving operational efficiency, promoting carbon reduction and advancing electrification initiatives across its global operations.
Circular economy and battery recycling
The partnership places significant emphasis on the circular economy model.
Robin Zeng, Chairman of CATL, says: "By 2042, we expect that half of the batteries produced globally will be made from recycled lithium and half from mining new minerals to meet society's demands."
This projection highlights the growing importance of battery materials recycling within the broader mining and battery production ecosystem. The collaboration between Rio Tinto and CATL could create pathways for integrating newly mined minerals with recycled materials in battery production processes, establishing a closed-loop system that maximises resource efficiency.
Building zero-carbon mining solutions
Rio Tinto Group is a leading global mining and metals company with a history spanning more than 150 years, covering the exploration, mining and processing of mineral resources including iron ore, copper, aluminium and lithium.
The two companies have indicated they will jointly develop zero-carbon mining solutions with global demonstration value, contributing to the transformation of the global energy system.
The partnership could position both organisations at the forefront of mining industry decarbonisation efforts, potentially establishing new operational standards for the sector.
