Rio Tinto has boosted its Australian business spendings in 2024, injecting more than $17.7 billion into the economy.
The 9.9 per cent spending increase from 2023 shows Rio Tinto’s commitment to driving local, regional, and national economies.
With spendings across more than 6000 Australian suppliers, Rio Tinto has significantly contributed to local employment, strengthening Australian-owned and -managed businesses.
“From one side of the country to the other, our suppliers, including Indigenous, small, and regional businesses are at the heart of our success and ability to operate in Australia. Their contributions help keep local communities strong,” Rio Tinto chief executive Kellie Parker said.
“We recognise the important role these Australian businesses play in creating jobs, strengthening local economies and supporting our operations. That’s why we continue to increase our investment with them.”
With investments across 182 Indigenous businesses, 2024 saw an approximate increase of 27 per cent from 2023 with $671 million committed to Traditional Owner businesses that Rio shares land use agreements with.
“In 2024, we expanded our spend with Australian Indigenous businesses by 27.5 per cent to $926 million and with local businesses across Australia by 14.8 per cent to $1.38 billion,” Parker said. “These partnerships drive economic growth and strengthen the communities they serve.”
Western Australia saw a $1.5 billion increase in Rio Tinto spending to $10.3 billion in 2024.
Rio Tinto’s WA spendings were largely due to heavy mining machinery and earthworks investments for the $US2 billion Western Range mine and works on the company’s pipeline development for its new Pilbara mining projects.
Rio Tinto has no intention of slowing down with several other new mining projects advancing, including the $US1.8 billion Brockman Syncline 1 project approved in April 2025.
