Rio Tinto Group has drawn interest from a multitude of potential bidders, including WE ​Soda, Magris Resources and U.S. Silica Holdings, for its US boron assets.

Boron is currently on the critical minerals list due to supply concerns with limited substitutes and heavy production outside the US. The mineral is used in nuclear energy, ​wind turbines, specialty glass, ceramics, advanced insulation, fertilizers, cleaning chemicals ‌and ⁠as an additive in oil and gas drilling.

Simon ​Trott, Rio Tinto’s CEO, outlined a plan to simplify the company structure in December 2025 to generate $5 billion (€4.2 billion) to $10 billion (€8.5 billion) through divestments and productivity growth. This includes divesting the boron assets, including a mine and processing operations in the Mojave Desert, and a refinery and shipping facility at the Port of Los Angeles, and its Owens Lake mining operation near the Sierra Nevada mountains.