Rio Tinto Eyes Roche Dure Lithium Mine Amid DRC Talks
Rio Tinto has engaged in early discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) about developing the Roche Dure deposit into a lithium mine.
Roche Dure is one of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium resources, making it a highly strategic asset in the global lithium market.
Neither Rio Tinto nor the DRC’s Ministry of Mines has commented on the talks. Meanwhile, the DRC is also in discussions with the U.S. government over a potential minerals-for-security agreement aimed at countering a Rwanda-backed rebellion in its eastern provinces.
California-based exploration company KoBold Metals, backed by investors including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has also expressed interest in developing Roche Dure once ongoing disputes over its mining rights are resolved. One possibility under discussion is a partnership between KoBold and Rio Tinto to jointly develop and operate the mine.
The deposit was initially defined by AVZ Minerals Ltd., which had planned to build a facility capable of producing 700,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate annually over 20 years. However, the Congolese government revoked AVZ’s rights in 2023, halting the project before construction began.
Rio Tinto is actively expanding its lithium portfolio, capitalizing on lower prices caused by market oversupply. Last year, the company agreed to acquire Arcadium Lithium Plc for $6.7 billion.
It is also advancing the Jadar lithium project in Serbia—set to become Europe’s largest lithium mine—and ramping up production at its Rincon lithium operation in Argentina.
With growing demand for lithium in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage, Rio Tinto’s potential entry into the DRC’s lithium sector could significantly reshape the market.
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