Rio Tinto's Kennecott Turns Tellurium Byproduct Into Sustainable Solar Power

Rio Tinto Group has unveiled an ambitious approach to clean energy at its Kennecott copper operations in Utah: powering a new 25-megawatt solar facility using photovoltaic panels manufactured from tellurium—a valuable byproduct extracted from the copper refining process itself. This innovative closed-loop model demonstrates how mining operations can transform industrial byproducts into renewable energy infrastructure.

From Copper Refining to Solar Innovation: How Tellurium Powers Clean Energy

The journey begins at Kennecott’s copper refining operations, where tellurium emerges as a secondary output during the copper processing cycle. Since 2022, when the site began systematically capturing tellurium, the company has established a strategic supply chain that maximizes this recovered material. The extracted tellurium is converted into thin-film semiconductor materials by 5N Plus Inc., a leading Canadian materials processor, then supplied to First Solar for the manufacturing of advanced photovoltaic panels. These panels now generate power for Kennecott’s own operations—creating a fully circular energy ecosystem.

Kennecott’s 25-Megawatt Solar Milestone Reduces Carbon Footprint

The newly activated 25-megawatt solar installation builds upon Kennecott’s earlier renewable energy commitment, which included a 5-megawatt solar facility completed in 2023. Combined, these assets deliver 30 megawatts of solar capacity—enough to power approximately 1,026 average American homes annually. More significantly for the mining operation, this renewable infrastructure achieves a 6 percent reduction in Kennecott’s Scope 2 emissions, equivalent to offsetting the annual carbon footprint of 4,400 passenger vehicles. The integration of tellurium-based solar panels extends beyond environmental metrics; it validates a sustainable business model for resource extraction.

Circular Economy Reshapes Industrial Mining Strategy

Rio Tinto’s Kennecott approach reflects a broader industry shift toward zero-waste operations and resource efficiency. By converting a historical waste stream into high-value solar manufacturing feedstock, the company demonstrates that mining can simultaneously extract primary commodities and generate clean energy solutions. This tellurium-to-solar pathway establishes a template for other mining operations seeking to balance resource extraction with environmental responsibility. The model gains additional significance as demand for thin-film photovoltaic technology accelerates globally, making recovered tellurium an increasingly strategic material for the renewable energy transition.