Oyu Tolgoi Resumes Copper Concentrate Shipments After Protest Blockade Ends

Published: Jun 18, 2026 23:03
Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi gold-copper mine in Mongolia announced on social media the resumption of copper concentrate shipments. The mine had announced the previous day that from 9 a.m. local time on June 17, civil groups blocked a concentrate transport route at the mine, causing a halt to planned concentrate shipments. Oyu Tolgoi is one of the world’s most important copper mine projects and is critical to Rio Tinto’s copper sales growth strategy. The mine is still ramping up to operate at full capacity and is expected to become the world’s fourth-largest operating copper mine. Meanwhile, the project is also vital to Mongolia’s economy, with its exports accounting for a significant portion of the country’s GDP.

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