Latest from Rio Tinto Limited

Miners 'covering their eyes' on China's commodity cliff

With $1 trillion spent on projects to feed a commodity boom since 2002, the world's mining firms have a lot riding on China.

Diamond hunters give up on gems too hard to find

Diamonds are so hard to find that explorers have pretty much given up trying.

Deckhands paid like bankers threaten iron ore port strikes

Tugboat crews are threatening to disrupt shipments from the world's biggest iron ore port as they negotiate for increased wages.

How best to calculate electricity cost?

If Meridian Energy had already floated, it's a fair bet that its share price would have dropped after the Opposition unveiled its electricity policy a week ago.

Smelter crunch talks resume today

Crucial face-to-face talks between the owners of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter and Meridian Energy resume in Wellington today, and could take the rest of the week.

Meridian waits on next move

Prospects of keeping the Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter open in the long-term are grim, with Meridian Energy saying it is still in the dark.

Fran O'Sullivan: No need to play hostage to Rio Tinto

"Why don't John Key and David Parker come up with a common front towards Rio Tinto to send a message to the Tiwai Point owner?" asks Fran O'Sullivan.

John Armstrong: PM shows hardball a game for two

Negotiating with Hollywood moguls must now feel like a bit of a doddle for John Key compared to mixing it with the cold-blooded, razor-wielding gang of cost accountants from Rio Tinto.

Key rejects Rio threat over Tiwai

The Government and its flagship asset sale programme will not be held hostage by Rio Tinto over the mineral giant's threat to close the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday.

Brian Fallow: SOE sales folly without smelter sorted

It is folly to press on with the partial privatisation of the state-owned power companies when the future of the Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter is unresolved, writes Brian Fallow.

Rio Tinto says aluminium production down

S&P report spells shaky Tiwai Pt future

Major spending cut for Tiwai Point

NZ Aluminium Smelters has today announced a $70m spending cut for the Tiwai Point plant in Bluff.

Editorial: Meridian needs best deal

Meridian Energy is not a private enterprise but in negotiation with Rio Tinto it must act like one. If it can get a better power price elsewhere, Tiwai smelter must go.

Smelter talks still on track

Editorial: Jobs with a future needed

This month's toll of job losses is striking - but it's a reflection of a slowing of the Chinese economy. It's time to look for jobs that have a future.

Jeanette Fitzsimons: NZ could cash in on Rio Tinto move

Bluff job cuts show 'hardball' tactics