Rio Tinto tests battery electric haul trucks, shares in focus for mining dividends

Rio Tinto starts a landmark battery electric haul truck trial with BHP and Caterpillar in Western Australia's Pilbara, while consensus still sees the London-listed miner as a high-dividend play.

By Julia Schmitt, Sector & Peer Group desk. Reviewed prior to publication on 2026-06-28, 09:38.

Rio Tinto (GB0007188757) is pushing into lower-emission mining equipment. The London-listed miner is running a battery electric haul truck trial in Western Australia's Pilbara region together with BHP and Caterpillar, according to a June 23 update cited by Yahoo Finance and other market commentary. Yahoo Finance report on the Pilbara trial

What the Pilbara trial involves

Rio Tinto and rival BHP are testing Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery electric haul trucks at BHP's Jimblebar iron ore mine in Western Australia's Pilbara, one of the world's key iron ore regions and a demanding mining environment. Details on the Cat 793 XE trial The initiative follows months of safety validation of the trucks in the United States before deployment at the Pilbara site.

The trial aims to assess how battery electric haul trucks perform under heavy loads and continuous operation in iron ore mining, a segment where Rio Tinto competes directly with BHP and Brazil's Vale on both volume and cost. The Pilbara iron ore operations are central to Rio Tinto's earnings base and cash generation, making efficiency and emissions improvements a material strategic lever in the medium term.

Analyst views and dividend profile

Analyst data compiled by MarketScreener show Rio Tinto with a mixed recommendation profile but a clear income angle, with the stock noted among mining names offering high dividends compared to peers such as BHP and Glencore. MarketScreener consensus on Rio Tinto In early June, RBC downgraded the London miner to "Underperform" after a period of outperformance, while JPMorgan in late May lifted its price target to 8,280 pence and kept a "Neutral" stance on the shares. Analyst rating history for Rio Tinto

The consensus picture shows Rio Tinto shares trading with sensitivity to iron ore and copper prices, but the company's dividend yield remains a central part of the equity story. For investors comparing miners within the FTSE 100 and global sector indices, the balance between capital-intensive decarbonization projects such as battery electric haul trucks and ongoing cash returns is a recurring theme in research notes.

The business behind the stock

Rio Tinto earns most of its revenue from iron ore produced in Western Australia's Pilbara region and shipped to steelmakers, mainly in Asia, with copper, aluminum and minerals providing diversification. Flagship assets include the Pilbara iron ore network, the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia and the Queensland alumina and aluminum operations.

Where the shares trade today

Rio Tinto shares (GB0007188757) most actively trade on the London Stock Exchange in pounds sterling as part of the FTSE 100 index, with an ADR listing on the NYSE providing U.S. access to the stock.

Key data on the Rio Tinto shares

• Company: Rio Tinto plc
• ISIN: GB0007188757
• WKN: 852147
• Ticker: RIO
• Trading venue: London Stock Exchange, NYSE ADR
• Price (as of 2026-06-26, 20:56): 82.18 EUR (other venues quotation)
• Market cap: around 60 billion GBP (as of late June 2026, based on recent FTSE 100 data)
• Sector / industry: Metals & Mining
• Index membership: FTSE 100
• Next earnings date: not officially scheduled

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Data and assessments reflect sources cited at the time of review and may change without notice.