Rio Tinto Takes a Bold Step into the Future of Metals with E-Waste Recycling

In a groundbreaking move, Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining companies, is stepping into the future of metals by investing in Exurban, a UK-based recycling pioneer. This partnership marks Rio Tinto’s entry into the rapidly growing e-waste recycling sector—a field that promises to not only address environmental challenges but also unlock a treasure trove of critical metals from discarded electronics like phones, computers, and other gadgets. By teaming up with Exurban and recycling specialist Giampaolo Group, Rio Tinto is positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to tackle the global e-waste crisis while securing a sustainable supply of essential materials for tomorrow’s industries.

The Growing Mountain of E-Waste: A Problem We Can’t Ignore

Every year, the world generates an overwhelming amount of electronic waste—5.3 billion kilograms in 2022 alone, according to the United Nations. Shockingly, less than 20% of this e-waste is formally recycled. From old smartphones to outdated laptops, these discarded devices are loaded with valuable metals like copper, gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rare earth elements. But when improperly disposed of, they can leach toxic substances into the soil and water, endangering human health and ecosystems.

The traditional “take-make-dispose” model is no longer sustainable in the face of this growing crisis. The world is shifting toward a circular economy, where resources are reused, recycled, and kept in circulation as long as possible. This shift aligns perfectly with Rio Tinto’s investment in Exurban, which is pioneering “urban mining”—extracting valuable metals from e-waste to supplement traditional mining operations. Urban mining not only helps reduce reliance on finite natural resources but also creates a more resilient and eco-friendly supply chain for critical metals.

Exurban: Revolutionizing Recycling with Zero-Waste Technology

Founded in 2022, Exurban brings together a team of industry veterans with deep expertise in metals markets, including former executives from giants like Glencore. Their mission? To revolutionize e-waste recycling with cutting-edge, zero-waste technology. While details remain proprietary, Exurban’s approach focuses on maximizing metal recovery while minimizing environmental impact—steering clear of energy-intensive processes like smelting, which can release harmful emissions.

Exurban’s flagship project is a $340 million state-of-the-art facility planned for Fort Wayne, Indiana—a strategic location given the U.S.’s status as a major generator of e-waste. Once operational, the facility will recover valuable metals such as copper, gold, and silver, which are crucial for modern technologies, including renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. Although initial construction plans aimed for 2023, delays have pushed the timeline to potentially 2026. In the meantime, Exurban is focused on completing a feasibility study by mid-2025 to ensure the plant’s design, operations, and economics are solid.

Why Rio Tinto Is Betting on E-Waste Recycling

For Rio Tinto, this isn’t just about corporate responsibility—it’s a smart business move. As the world transitions to a greener economy, demand for critical metals like copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements is set to soar. These metals are essential for clean energy technologies, from solar panels and wind turbines to electric vehicles and energy storage solutions.

While Rio Tinto already mines many of these metals through traditional methods, investing in e-waste recycling offers a complementary and increasingly vital source of supply. E-waste often contains higher concentrations of these critical materials than primary ore deposits, making it an attractive “urban mine.” By tapping into this resource, Rio Tinto can diversify its sourcing, reduce its environmental footprint, and contribute to a circular economy—all while meeting the growing demand for sustainable practices from investors, consumers, and governments.

A Strong Partnership with Giampaolo Group

Rio Tinto’s investment in Exurban is bolstered by its collaboration with the Giampaolo Group, a leader in recycling and closed-loop manufacturing. With decades of experience in recovering materials from various waste streams, Giampaolo Group brings valuable operational knowledge and access to established recycling networks. Their expertise spans a wide range of industries, including electronics, automotive, and industrial waste management, making them a trusted partner in sustainable resource recovery. The Giampaolo Group’s deep understanding of the complexities involved in material extraction and recycling processes complements Rio Tinto’s extensive mining and metals expertise, creating a powerful synergy between the two organizations. Together, Rio Tinto and Giampaolo Group are combining financial strength, market expertise, and technical know-how to support Exurban’s ambitious vision of revolutionizing e-waste recycling through zero-waste technology. This partnership not only strengthens Exurban’s ability to scale its operations but also ensures that the project benefits from best-in-class practices in both traditional and circular resource management. By leveraging their shared commitment to sustainability and innovation, this collaboration has the potential to set new industry standards for environmentally responsible recycling and resource efficiency, while addressing the growing global demand for critical metals in a way that aligns with the principles of a circular economy.

The Environmental Impact of E-Waste—and How Exurban Can Help

E-waste poses far-reaching environmental challenges beyond its sheer volume. Devices contain a mix of plastics, glass, and metals, many of which—like lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium—are highly toxic. In developing countries, where much of the world’s e-waste ends up, informal recycling practices often involve open burning or acid leaching, releasing dangerous pollutants into the air, water, and soil.

Exurban’s zero-waste technology offers a promising alternative. By building a large-scale, advanced facility in the U.S., Exurban aims to set new standards for responsible e-waste management. Their focus on maximizing metal recovery reduces the need for environmentally damaging primary mining, conserves valuable resources, and minimizes hazardous byproducts. This approach could significantly lower the environmental impact of metal extraction, offering a cleaner and more sustainable way to meet global demand.

Learning from Mitsubishi Materials’ Success

Mitsubishi Materials, another investor in Exurban, provides a benchmark for best practices in e-waste recycling. With an annual processing capacity of 160,000 tons, Mitsubishi Materials uses patented CO2-neutral smelting technology to extract reusable raw materials from discarded electronics. Their commitment to transparency is evident in tools like MEX (Mitsubishi Materials E-Scrap Exchange), an online platform that allows customers to track shipments and view sampling results.

Exurban can draw valuable lessons from Mitsubishi Materials’ success, particularly in areas like technological innovation, operational efficiency, and transparent business practices. If successful, Exurban’s zero-waste approach could represent the next generation of recycling technology, offering even greater environmental benefits and higher recovery rates than traditional smelting-based methods.

Fort Wayne: A Hub for Urban Mining in the U.S.

Exurban’s planned facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, represents a significant investment in U.S. e-waste recycling infrastructure. Once operational, it will process substantial amounts of e-waste, recovering valuable metals while creating jobs and stimulating local economic activity. The delay in construction until at least 2026 highlights the complexities of developing such a large-scale industrial project, but the completion of the feasibility study in mid-2025 will be a key milestone in ensuring its success.

Beyond its local impact, the facility will strengthen the U.S.’s domestic supply chain for critical metals, reducing reliance on imports and enhancing national security. It will also play a vital role in diverting e-waste from landfills and promoting a circular economy.

The Bigger Picture: A Growing Trend in E-Waste Recycling

Rio Tinto’s investment in Exurban reflects a broader trend of increased corporate involvement in e-waste recycling. As awareness grows about the environmental and economic importance of this sector, more companies—especially in mining and technology—are recognizing its strategic value. Advances in recycling technologies, coupled with stricter government regulations and rising consumer awareness, are driving further investments and innovations.

Initiatives like extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, which hold manufacturers accountable for their products’ end-of-life management, are also incentivizing investment in recycling infrastructure. Meanwhile, educating consumers and providing convenient collection points are essential for increasing recycling rates and ensuring a steady supply of materials for facilities like Exurban’s.

A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future

As Exurban’s CEO, Stefan Boel, puts it: “We share a vision of supplying critical metals to industries of the future by deploying new, zero-waste recycling technology. I am excited about working together to make that vision a reality.” This statement captures the essence of the partnership between Rio Tinto and Exurban—a shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible resource management.

Toward a Circular Economy for Metals

Rio Tinto’s investment in Exurban, alongside partners like Mitsubishi Materials and Giampaolo Group, represents a significant step toward building a more robust and sustainable circular economy for metals. By supporting advanced e-waste recycling technologies and infrastructure, these companies are addressing a critical environmental challenge while securing access to valuable resources for the future. Exurban’s planned facility in Fort Wayne has the potential to become a flagship project, demonstrating the viability of zero-waste e-waste recycling on a large scale. As the world continues to grapple with the growing mountain of e-waste and soaring demand for critical metals, such investments will be essential in forging a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.