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Rio Tinto and First Quantum Minerals partner to progress the La Granja copper project in Peru
Rhea-AI Impact
(Neutral)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Very Positive)
Tags
partnership
Rhea-AI Summary
Rio Tinto and First Quantum Minerals have formed a joint venture to develop the La Granja copper project in Peru, one of the world's largest undeveloped copper deposits. First Quantum will acquire a 55% stake for $105 million and commit up to $546 million to fund capital and operational costs through feasibility studies. La Granja has a mineral resource of 4.32 billion tonnes at 0.51% copper, with First Quantum set to operate the project. The agreement highlights Peru's significance in mining investment and bolsters Rio Tinto's copper portfolio following its acquisition of Turquoise Hill Resources.
Positive
Joint venture with First Quantum enhances collaboration for La Granja copper project.
Potential for La Granja to become a significant copper producer with a substantial mineral resource.
First Quantum's investment commitment of up to $546 million to develop the project.
Strengthens Rio Tinto's position in the copper market post-acquisition of Turquoise Hill Resources.
Negative
None.
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Rio Tinto and First Quantum Minerals ("First Quantum") have entered into an agreement to form a joint venture that will work to unlock the development of the La Granja copper project in Peru, one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world.
La Granja is a complex orebody located at high altitude in Cajamara, Northern Peru, that has the potential to be a large, long-life operation, with a published Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource totalling 4.32 billion tonnes at 0.51 percent copper1. The joint venture will bring together the combined knowledge, expertise and resources of Rio Tinto and First Quantum Minerals to progress the project.
Under the proposed transaction, First Quantum will acquire a 55% stake in the project for $105 million, and commit to further invest up to $546 million into the joint venture to sole fund capital and operational costs to take the project through a feasibility study and toward development. Upon completion of the sole funding commitment, all subsequent expenditures will be applied on a pro-rata basis according to the share ownership of the project.
The transaction is expected to complete by the end of Q3 2023, subject to the satisfaction of regulatory approvals. As majority owner, First Quantum will then operate the La Granja project with initial work focussed on completing the feasibility study.
Rio Tinto acquired the La Granja Project from the Government of Peru in 2006 and has since carried out an extensive drilling program that significantly expanded the declared resource and understanding of the orebody, and established partnerships with host communities, local and national governments.
Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Bold Baatar said: “La Granja is an exciting but complex project that has the potential to be a significant new source of the copper that is needed for the energy transition. We are pleased to enter into this agreement with First Quantum, that will bring our combined development capabilities and deep knowledge of La Granja to progress the project.
“This partnership underscores not only La Granja’s potential to be a significant copper producer, but Peru’s position as one of the world’s most important mining investment destinations. Developing La Granja would also further strengthen Rio Tinto’s copper portfolio following the acquisition of Turquoise Hill Resources and commencement of underground mining at Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia.”
First Quantum Chief Executive Officer Tristan Pascall said: “I am very pleased to announce today’s partnership with Rio Tinto, a global leader in the mining industry. Rio Tinto’s work on La Granja has been extensive to date and we share our partner’s view that the project has the potential to be a Tier 1 copper mine. We look forward to working together to build on this foundation, leveraging First Quantum’s core strengths in mine design, project development and community engagement to progress La Granja to the next stage. First Quantum is excited about broadening our existing relationships in Peru and we are appreciative of the support provided by the Government of Peru to this important partnership for its future major investment in the country.”
Rio Tinto and FQM have also entered into a memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation globally in copper and other base metals exploration and project development, as well as for sharing information and technical know-how around best-in-class mining, processing, and decarbonisation.
1The Mineral Resources referred to in this release comprise 130 Mt at 0.85% Cu Indicated Mineral Resources and 4,190 Mt at 0.50% Cu Inferred Mineral Resources. These Mineral Resources were reported in Rio Tinto’s 2022 Annual Report released on 22 February 2023, which is available at Annual Report (riotinto.com). The Competent Person responsible for reporting these Mineral Resources is Joanna Marshall, a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM). Rio Tinto is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects these Mineral Resource estimates and confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates continue to apply and have not materially changed. The company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person’s findings are presented have not been materially modified. Mineral Resources are quoted in this release on a 100 per cent basis.
6 St James’s Square
London SW1Y 4AD
United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000
Registered in England No. 719885
Rio Tinto Limited
Level 43, 120 Collins Street Melbourne 3000
Australia T +61 3 9283 3333
Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404
Category: General
Source: Rio Tinto
FAQ
What is the joint venture between Rio Tinto and First Quantum Minerals about?
The joint venture aims to develop the La Granja copper project in Peru, enhancing collaboration between Rio Tinto and First Quantum to unlock this significant resource.
When is the La Granja project joint venture expected to complete?
The transaction is expected to complete by the end of Q3 2023, pending regulatory approvals.
How much copper resource does the La Granja project have?
The La Granja copper project has a published mineral resource of 4.32 billion tonnes at 0.51% copper.
What will First Quantum's role be in the La Granja project?
As the majority owner with a 55% stake, First Quantum will operate the La Granja project, focusing initially on completing the feasibility study.
