Rio Tinto and venture builder Founders Factory have selected five startups for the fifth cohort of their Mining Tech Accelerator, backing technologies focused on geohazard monitoring, faster metal analysis, critical-mineral refining, mine planning and copper exploration.
Rio Tinto approved a $473m expansion of Richards Bay Minerals on 3 March 2026, restarting the long-stalled Zulti South project despite an ongoing group-wide review that could still see the South African mineral sands operation sold.
Rio Tinto has approved a $473m investment in the Zulti South mineral sands project at Richards Bay Minerals, lifting a suspension in place since January 2020 and extending the mine's life to 2050.
