Finance
Rio Tinto and BHP team up in Pilbara to boost iron ore output
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 15, 2026
Rio Tinto and BHP Collaborate to Enhance Iron Ore Production in Pilbara
Collaboration Between Major Miners
Jan 15 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto and BHP Group, two of the world's top miners, will work together to extract up to 200 million metric tons of iron ore from two adjoining sites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Rio Tinto, in a statement on its website on Thursday, said it would team up with BHP to develop their Yandicoogina and Yandi sites, respectively.
The two miners will work together to develop Rio Tinto's Wunbye deposit and to process ore from BHP's Yandi site at Rio Tinto's facilities.
Details of the Agreement
"Together we will extend the life of these operations, create additional value, and further support Western Australian jobs and local communities," Rio Tinto's iron ore chief executive, Matthew Holcz, said.
Impact on Local Communities
The collaboration, part of a 2023 agreement, underscores how iron ore remains central to the world's biggest miners even as they increasingly pivot towards copper and other metals vital to the global energy transition.
The steel-making commodity accounts for about two-thirds of the miners' core earnings, with the Pilbara operations firmly anchoring their portfolios.
(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
Frequently Asked Questions about Rio Tinto and BHP team up in Pilbara to boost iron ore output
1What is iron ore?
Iron ore is a mineral from which iron is extracted. It is primarily used in steel production, making it a crucial commodity in the mining and resources sector.
2What is a partnership in business?
A partnership in business refers to a formal arrangement where two or more parties agree to manage and operate a business together, sharing profits, losses, and responsibilities.
3What is sustainability in finance?
Sustainability in finance refers to the practice of making investment decisions that consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, aiming for long-term positive impact alongside financial returns.
