The company halted production of refined copper at its smelter at the Utah-based mine in October, following the death of a worker who was exposed to sulphur dioxide gases at the plant while removing debris from a boiler.
Production at the Queensland-based operation was halted in 2015 because of falling zinc prices. Since then, prices for the metal have more than doubled.
The Russian state-controlled diamond miner increased fourth-quarter production by 6 percent year-on-year to 10.1 million carats as a shutdown at its Mir mine was offset by higher output at other assets.
When it comes to finally reaching a deal to secure Freeport-McMoRan Inc.’s long-term right to keep mining in Indonesia, the ball appears to be firmly in Rio Tinto Group’s court.
The approvals will allow the company to modify its original expansion plan, already permitted and now 44 pct complete, which seeks to add another mine level.