Rio Tinto has announced plans to take over the Aurukun Bauxite Project in Western Cape York, Queensland, Australia, from a joint venture (JV) of Glencore and Mitsubishi Development.
A company spokesperson told Reuters that the financial terms had not been disclosed, and the transaction remains subject to Government of Queensland and other Australian regulatory approvals.
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The asset would extend the bauxite operations Rio Tinto already has in the region, although Aurukun is held under a mineral development licence and has yet to be granted a mining lease.
In a separate statement, Glencore noted that the partnership had channelled substantial resources into Aurukun over a number of years, including design work, development activity and the pursuit of approvals.
The JV reviewed its options and concluded that Rio Tinto’s ownership is expected to provide the best opportunity for the resource to be developed in the future, given the mining giant’s existing bauxite operations in the region.
If the deal proceeds, the spokesperson said the company will pursue the required regulatory clearances and keep engaging with traditional owners as it develops its plans for the project.
In a separate development, Rio Tinto and the Ngarlawangga Aboriginal Corporation have reached an interim modernised agreement to strengthen their partnership and deliver long-term benefits for the Ngarlawangga People.
Building on a 2011 Participation Agreement, the interim deal establishes a jointly designed co-management approach covering how the two parties work together on Ngarlawangga Country within the agreement area, including earlier and ongoing engagement throughout the mine life cycle.
In July 2026, Rio Tinto signed an offtake agreement with Australian company SuperChar for bio pellets to be used at its alumina refineries in Gladstone, Queensland.
