The expansion of the Mongolia mine, Rio's biggest copper growth project, has seen costs balloon up to $6.75 billion.

Negotiations over the past two months between the company and its powerful workers' union over a new labor contract have been conducted in utmost secrecy.

Carol Meredith will leave the role in September to spend more time with family overseas and the search for a new chief executive is underway.

Residents of three communities in the Chumbivilcas province of the Andean region of Cusco began the blockade on July 23.

While producer profits are booming thanks to high prices fueled by the pandemic recovery, their operations are paying the price of covid-fighting measures.