Rio Tinto is calling on entrepreneurs, researchers and startups to help drive the future of sustainable mining as it takes centre stage as the sole mining company at London Tech Week 2025.
The major miner is using the platform to spotlight the urgent need for innovation in delivering critical minerals at scale and more sustainably and efficiently, as demand surges across sectors like electrification, renewables and AI (artificial intelligence).
“Innovation is in our DNA,” Rio Tinto chief innovation officer Dan Walker said.
“For over 150 years, Rio Tinto has operated at the intersection of mining and technology, and there has never been a time when innovation is needed more.
“As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, from climate change and urbanisation to the energy transition and electrification, meeting the world’s needs requires more materials, delivered faster, more sustainably, and with a lighter footprint at every step.
“These are deeply complex issues that no organisation can solve alone. We want to find the very best innovators and entrepreneurs to join our global network of startups, universities, tech leaders and governments to help turn bold ideas into real-world solutions.”
The company will showcase its expanding innovation ecosystem, including its accelerator program run alongside early-stage investor Founders Factory, and its ventures fund that backs high-potential mining and sustainability startups.
Its commitment to innovation also includes a $150 million investment into the Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials, launched in 2024 in partnership with five leading universities: Imperial College London, University of British Columbia, UC Berkeley, University of the Witwatersrand and ANU (Australian National University).
Rio Tinto chief executive officer Jakob Stausholm had a conversation with Walker on June 9, covering unlocking tomorrow’s tech and powering innovation that ensures the sustainable supply of materials that matter.
Other Rio Tinto representatives will also speak to industry trends at London Tech Week 2025 on June 11.
Rio Tinto head of science and partnerships Marie-Pierre Paquin will feature on the ‘Creating the future from campus: Why are university spinouts so important for innovation?’ panel.
Founders from three startups backed by Rio Tinto will present at the ‘Why the future depends on blurring the lines between mining and climate tech’ panel, which will be moderated by Rio Tinto head of growth and ventures Pekka Santasalo.
Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.
