Rio Tinto Reports 12% Surge in Copper Output as Oyu Tolgoi Mine Reaches Full Production Capacity

Rio Tinto’s copper output reached 245,000 tonnes in 2025, a 12% increase year-on-year, fueled by sustained ramp-up operations at the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia’s South Gobi region. The project, one of the world’s largest copper-gold deposits, began full-scale production in late 2024 following a series of infrastructure upgrades and process optimizations. The mine now contributes approximately 35% of Rio Tinto’s total copper output, up from 22% in 2023. The expansion at Oyu Tolgoi has been central to Rio Tinto’s efforts to strengthen its position in the growing demand for copper, which is essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and power grids. In 2025, the mine produced 86,000 tonnes of copper, a 48% increase from the prior year, with gold output also rising to 570,000 ounces. These gains reflect the completion of the underground development phase and the integration of new processing facilities. The improved production has had a direct impact on Rio Tinto’s financial results, contributing to a 14% increase in adjusted earnings from mining operations in the fourth quarter. The company reiterated its commitment to increasing copper production to 400,000 tonnes annually by 2030, with Oyu Tolgoi expected to remain a cornerstone of that target. Market analysts note that the mine’s performance has bolstered investor confidence in Rio Tinto’s long-term commodity outlook. The scaling of Oyu Tolgoi also underscores Mongolia’s growing importance in global mining supply chains. The mine’s operations support over 11,000 direct and indirect jobs and have generated more than $4 billion in export revenues for Mongolia since 2021, according to public disclosures.