Wedoany.com Report, On March 10, Rio Tinto Group confirmed it is in active negotiations with the Mongolian government regarding the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine project. The Mongolian state-owned mining company Erdenes Mongol LLC holds a 34% stake in the project, while Rio Tinto holds 66% and is responsible for its operation. Located in the South Gobi region of Mongolia, the mine is one of the world's largest copper-gold deposits. It began production in 2011 and is currently advancing an underground mine expansion. It is projected to become the world's fourth-largest copper mine by 2030.

During a meeting with Rio Tinto's Chief Executive of Copper, Katie Jackson, on March 9, Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene raised several demands: increasing Mongolia's share of the project's revenue to over 60%, significantly reducing the interest rate on shareholder loans, lowering the annual management fee, commencing dividend payments before 2026, and resolving mineral rights issues related to Entrée Resources. Under the existing agreement, Mongolia must first repay billions of dollars in development loans provided by Rio Tinto before it can receive dividends. The floating interest rate on these loans currently exceeds 11%.

Rio Tinto stated in a declaration that the negotiations reflect both parties' commitment to fully unlocking the project's potential and benefiting all stakeholders. The total investment in the project is $18 billion. Copper production is expected to increase by 61% year-on-year in 2025, with an estimated annual production capacity of 500,000 tons upon reaching full capacity.