BEIJING: If you peek into Rio Tinto’s global “shopping cart” for 2025, you will not just find the usual mining essentials. The relationship between China, the world’s largest importer and consumer of iron ore, and Rio Tinto, the world’s largest seaborne iron ore producer, has officially entered its “upgrade” era. This is as global mining giants are leaning into China’s high-tech manufacturing and rapid-fire innovation to power its mines across the world, said industry experts. “China is our largest customer and also a vital supply base for us,” said Jamie Sanders, head of global procurement at Rio Tinto. “We clearly see the distinct advantages of the Chinese supply chain.”Sanders noted that the capabilities of Chinese suppliers in terms of rapid response and fast-paced innovation are unique on a global scale.

Source: The Star February 06, 2026 00:36 UTC