Our Statement

A high-performance team

"Easy" deposits are already mines, the challenging ones are projects.

We are Rio Tinto - La Granja, our challenge is to become a successful world-class mining operation. 

We aim to be a high-performance innovative team, achieving excellent results, adding value and reducing risks according to our principles.

We are committed to work meeting high standards of safety, protecting health, encouraging sustainable development and respecting the environment.

These are the choices we make day by day.

History

In 2005, Rio Tinto won the bid to explore and develop the 3,900 hectare mining concession.  The public bid was issued by the Peruvian Government, owner of the property. On January 31, 2006, the transfer agreement was signed.  Rio Tinto Minera Perú Limitada SAC (Rio Tinto-La Granja) was established to administrate the project; this subsidiary is 100% owned by Rio Tinto.

Two mining companies have already come and gone

In 1994, the Peruvian Government first privatised the La Granja copper project.  The buyer, Cambior, a Canadian company, prepared a feasibility study and an environmental impact assessment.  Both studies were approved. However, in 2000 Cambior sold its rights to Billiton, which shortly thereafter merged with BHP. In 2002, BHP Billiton returned the project to the Peruvian Government, as it considered it to be unviable.

Cambior and BHP Billiton generated data from 329 drill holes with nearly 110,000 metres of drilling, and defined the central area of the deposit. See timeline.

Communities

The project is located in a very remote area, and was named after the nearest community: La Granja. Learn more about the Communities in the direct area of influence.

Project development