Rio Tinto Announces Takeover of Queensland’s Aurukun Bauxite Project
Rio Tinto has announced plans to acquire the Aurukun Bauxite Project in Western Cape York, Queensland from a joint venture between Glencore and Mitsubishi Development. The asset is expected to expand Rio's bauxite operations in Australia but requires regulatory approvals before proceeding. The current owners noted that they had invested heavily into development efforts over several years and believe Rio Tinto’s ownership offers the best path forward for future resource development due to its regional presence. In a related move, Rio Tinto has also signed an interim modernized agreement with Ngarlawangga Aboriginal Corporation to enhance collaboration on traditional lands. Additionally, in July 2026, the company secured an offtake deal with SuperChar for bio pellets used at its alumina refineries in Gladstone.
