Rio Tinto wrangles with investors over water

Remedial efforts: Workers stand near a pipe used to control seepage water at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia. The company says it is committed to enhanced transparency. — Reuters

MELBOURNE: Global mining giant Rio Tinto, which sparked outrage after destroying an ancient Indigenous site in Australia in 2020, faces new pressure from socially conscious investors and lenders, this time on water practices at two of its mines.

A group representing British pension funds, Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF), has raised concerns about the company’s water management at its Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia and an ilmenite mine in Madagascar.