Rio Tinto has commissioned a new 25 MW solar facility at its Kennecott copper operations in Utah, USA, demonstrating a circular critical-minerals supply chain. Tellurium produced onsite is utilized in the manufacturing of the solar panels that now provide power to the operation.
Combined with the 5 MW solar plant completed in 2023, Kennecott currently possesses 30 MW of solar capacity. This enables a reduction of approximately 6% (20,000 tonnes CO₂e) in Scope 2 emissions, comparable to removing 4,400 vehicles from service annually.
Construction of the 25 MW installation commenced in October 2024 through a partnership with Bechtel, was finalized and commissioned as scheduled in October of the previous year, and became operational in December. The solar array comprises more than 71,000 panels containing tellurium produced at Kennecott, a mineral considered vital for solar technology.
Since 2022, Kennecott has produced tellurium as a by-product of copper refining, making it one of only two U.S. producers of this important mineral. The tellurium is converted into thin-film semiconductor materials by 5N Plus Inc in Canada and primarily supplied to First Solar for photovoltaic panel manufacturing, thus maintaining the entire supply chain within North America.
Nate Foster, Managing Director of Rio Tinto Kennecott, stated: “This new solar plant serves as more than a renewable energy source for our operations; it exemplifies circularity and supply chain resilience. By extracting copper and tellurium—both designated as critical minerals in the U.S.—and utilizing site-produced tellurium in our solar panels, we demonstrate how domestic resources underpin renewable energy manufacturing. Our approach bolsters North America’s supply chain, promotes national energy security, and reinforces our commitment to a low-carbon future.”
Scott Austin, General Manager of Renewables & Clean Power at Bechtel, commented: “In close collaboration with Rio Tinto, Bechtel successfully delivered this project two months ahead of schedule while supporting 200 local jobs and advancing renewable energy deployment at the mine.”
Gervais Jacques, Chief Executive Officer of 5N Plus, remarked: “Our strategic partnership with Rio Tinto enables us to deliver industry-leading products that facilitate the clean energy transition and strengthen national energy security. Amid heightened focus on the reliability of critical minerals supply chains, we are proud to maintain our role as a trusted partner, providing advanced materials essential to this growing sector.”