> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.boilingcold.com.au/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Rio Tinto moves Winu copper mine forward with public environmental review - URL: https://www.boilingcold.com.au/rio-tinto-moves-winu-copper-mine-forward-with-public-environmental-review/ - Published: 2026-08-27T06:12:25.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-27T08:50:53.000Z - Description: As the world electrifies, demand for the metal is expected to jump 50 per cent in 15 years. - Author: Peter Milne - Tags: ⚡️ Shorts, Copper, Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Pilbara, Mining Rio Tinto has lodged its [detailed proposal](https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/proposals/winu-project?ref=boilingcold.com.au) to develop the Winu copper deposit in the Pilbara, discovered in 2017, with the WA Environmental Protection Authority. The proposed copper and gold mine is a below-the-water-table open pit that will connect to the Great Northern Highway via an 183-kilometre-long access road, over which concentrate will be trucked out for export. Almost 5000 hectares of native vegetation will be cleared, covering critical habitat for six species including the Greater Bilby. The clearing occurs within a 24,000-hectare development envelope, [downsized](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/rio-cuts-winu-coppergold-mine-footprint-as-traditional-owners-have-their-say/news-story/8cd339910e69752722069f71c7de0807?ref=boilingcold.com.au) in 2025 from 37,000 hectares after pushback from Traditional Owners. The public can [comment on the proposal](https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au/open-for-submissions/winu-project-per/?ref=boilingcold.com.au) until 22 October 2026. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/e6/f1e6ac34-dd15-4046-a261-93b6cf1963bf/content/images/2026/08/Map-Winu-copper-mine-location-in-the-Pilbara-region.png) ****The Winu mine site is remote, even by Pilbara standards.** Map: Rio Tinto environmental submission Rio Tinto majority-owns and operates the project, and Japan's Sumitomo holds [a 30 per cent stake](https://www.riotinto.com/en/operations/anz/western-australia/winu?ref=boilingcold.com.au). For decades, Rio Tinto and BHP have based their business on producing iron ore in WA. However, copper is becoming more important. In recent half-year results, the metal accounted for [more than half](https://www.bhp.com/news/media-centre/releases/2026/08/bhp-results-for-the-full-year-ended-30-june-2026?ref=boilingcold.com.au) of BHP's earnings and [more than a third](https://cdn-rio.dataweavers.io/-/media/content/documents/invest/financial-news-and-performance/results/2026/2026-half-year-results.pdf?rev=a679d7cf629e4f9bb065bee92ddc0f84&ref=boilingcold.com.au) at Rio Tinto. Rio Tinto already mines copper at Kennecott in the USA and Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia. As well as Winu, it is also pursuing new copper revenue from the Resolution project in the US, which it owns with BHP. S&P Global [forecasts](https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/campaigns/copper-mining-trends?ref=boilingcold.com.au) the world will need 42 million tonnes of copper in 2040, 50 per cent more than demand in 2025. --- **CORRECTION** 27 August 2026 - Corrected the size of the initial and final development envelopes.