Rio Tinto commits $1.9 billion to Kangwinan bauxite project

Rio Tinto will invest $1.9 billion to develop the Kangwinan bauxite project in Queensland, adding 20 million tonnes a year of production at its Weipa operations, with first output targeted in 2029 and full production expected by 2032.

Why it matters: Kangwinan replaces output from the ageing Andoom mine and helps offset the planned 2029 closure of the Gove mine, lifting Weipa's annual capacity to about 44 million tonnes from around 38 million and extending one of the world's largest bauxite complexes well beyond the middle of the century.

Data as of Reuters report of October 22, 2026, read in full in syndication, corroborated by Dow Jones Newswires of October 22, 2026 (17:48 ET); the investment, capacity and timing figures are Rio Tinto's own announcement as reported by both wires. Developing item.

Rio Tinto said it will invest $1.9 billion to develop the Kangwinan bauxite project on the Western Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, replacing production from its Andoom mine near Weipa as that mine reaches the end of its life this decade. The project adds 20 million tonnes of annual bauxite production at Weipa, taking the complex to about 44 million tonnes a year from around 38 million currently, and it also helps offset the planned 2029 closure of Rio’s Gove bauxite mine in the Northern Territory.

The announcement follows Rio’s agreement last month to acquire the adjacent Aurukun Bauxite Project from Glencore and Mitsubishi, subject to regulatory approvals. Rio said the combined Amrun, Kangwinan and Aurukun operations are expected to support its Weipa bauxite business, which supplies ore for alumina and aluminium, well beyond the middle of the century.

Rio Tinto commits $1.9 billion to Kangwinan bauxite project

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