Rio Tinto Restarts Oyu Tolgoi Mine After Seismic Event

Rio Tinto began progressively restarting underground operations at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia on October 30. The restart follows a seismic event on October 29 that caused a localized rockfall in a temporary storage area adjacent to the production zone.

While the event created ground vibrations, the company reported no structural damage to the operating infrastructure or the underground cave. Three employees sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident, two of whom continue to receive medical treatment.

Despite the resumption of mining activities, the company faces logistical challenges. Delays at the Ganqimaodu border crossing between Mongolia and China have reduced the number of trucks available to transport copper concentrate from the mine site.