Rio Tinto to add 25 MW more solar at Kennecott mine in Utah

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) has approved a plan to expand the existing solar power capacity at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah with the addition of a 25-MW facility.

Spanning 210 acres, the new solar farm will be built next to an existing 5-MW site, which was completed in 2023, bringing the mine’s total solar capacity to 30 MW. It will be equipped with more than 71,000 panels, which contain tellurium produced by Kennecott.

Bechtel Corporation has been hired to design the plant and manage the construction works, which are expected to be completed in 2025.

The two solar plants will reduce Kennecott’s Scope 2 emissions by around 6%. Overall, the Kennecott mine has managed to cut its carbon footprint by more than 80% since 2018 through initiatives such as closing its coal-powered power plant, adding solar power and transitioning the mining fleet to renewable diesel.

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