Rio Tinto has announced adjustments to its underground development plan at the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia. While the company remains committed to its target of 500,000 tonnes of copper production per year from 2028 to 2036, development in the Entrée Resources joint venture (JV) area has been paused due to delays in license transfers to the mine’s operating entity.
This decision allows Rio Tinto to prioritise development in the more accessible Panel 2 South, ensuring the project stays on track.
However, the delay in the Entrée JV area has caused concern for Entrée Resources, which expressed disappointment over the holdup, highlighting its potential impact on the project’s timeline, cost, and their financial position.
Despite these challenges, Rio Tinto maintains its 2025 copper production guidance and underscores the importance of Oyu Tolgoi, one of the world’s largest known copper-gold resources, for both its growth strategy and Mongolia’s economic development.
