Rio Tinto is ramping up efforts to decarbonise the steel value chain, positioning itself for long-term competitiveness in a global market rapidly moving to zero emissions.
As one of the world’s largest iron ore producers, Rio Tinto is targeting emissions across the supply chain, from mining and transportation to steelmaking.
“We’re not just reducing emissions for the sake of environmental sustainability; we’re doing it because it makes long-term business sense,” the company said.
“Decarbonisation is about staying competitive in a changing market, where customers, investors, and governments are all demanding more sustainable solutions.”
Steel production accounts for around eight per cent of global CO₂ emissions, with Rio Tinto’s decarbonisation strategy designed to future-proof its business and capitalise on emerging demand for low-carbon materials.
The company is trialling alternative fuels and electrification in its Pilbara operations, including a successful 10-million-litre renewable diesel trial that cut Scope 1 emissions by 27,000 tonnes.
Rio Tinto is collaborating with BHP and OEMs such as Caterpillar and Komatsu to trial battery-electric haul trucks, aiming to improve fleet sustainability and operational efficiency.
On the energy front, the miner has installed a 34-megawatt solar plant at Gudai-Darri, supported by a battery system at Tom Price.
Combined, the infrastructure could cut emissions by 90,000 tonnes annually compared to conventional gas-powered generation.
In steelmaking, Rio Tinto is investing in low-carbon technologies like BioIron and NeoSmelt to reduce emissions from Pilbara iron ore.
The company is also supplying high-grade pellets from Canada to support GravitHy’s hydrogen-based DRI plant, targeting up to 90 per cent emissions reduction versus traditional blast furnaces.
“Driving the steel industry towards a low-carbon future is central to our decarbonisation goals,” Rio Tinto chief commercial officer Bold Baatar said.
“So our efforts with our customers and partners are important in improving current technologies and unlocking new ones, as we advance towards the net zero energy transition together.”
