Global miner Rio Tinto , will tackle one of the biggest technological challenges in the lithium industry as it takes the lead in Chile's first major project involving the battery metal in years, alongside state-run copper producer Codelco.

Anglo-Australian miner doubles down on critical mineral buying almost 50 per cent stake in partnership with Codelco

By Mathew Cohen Rio Tinto has secured approval for its $2.5bn lithium mining project in Argentina's Salta province, becoming the first mining venture to win backing under the government's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI).