Rio Tinto is in early-stage talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to develop the Roche Dure lithium deposit, one of the largest hard rock lithium reserves globally. This move aligns with the company’s focus on expanding its portfolio of critical minerals, such as lithium, that are vital for battery production.

Although both Rio Tinto and the DRC’s Ministry of Mines have not publicly commented on the discussions, Rio Tinto’s CEO, Jakob Stausholm, has previously emphasized that current market conditions offer opportunities to acquire high-quality assets at favorable prices. This approach is reflected in the company’s recent $6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium.