Rio Tinto Explores Merger with Glencore, Potentially Creating the World’s Largest Mining Company
Sun 11 Jan 2026, 03:12 AM
Share
Rio Tinto Group has resumed talks to acquire Glencore Plc in a move that could create the world’s largest mining company.
Citing Bloomberg on Friday (January 9, 2026), the combined company would have a market value of around USD 200 billion, or roughly IDR 3,500 trillion.
Rio Tinto explored a takeover of Glencore about a year ago, but discussions between the two fell through at the time.
“The two companies are discussing a potential combination of part or all of their businesses,” they said in separate statements on Thursday.
A merger between the two companies would mark the largest deal ever in the global mining industry, amid a rising trend of mergers and acquisitions in the sector.
Both Glencore and Rio Tinto hold significant copper assets, and the potential deal would create a new mining giant to rival BHP Group, which has long held the title of the world’s largest miner.
Rio Tinto has a market capitalization of about USD 137 billion, while Glencore is valued at USD 70 billion.
However, the merger efforts are unlikely to be smooth. Glencore is one of the world’s largest coal producers, a business Rio Tinto has exited. In addition, the two companies have very different corporate cultures.
The companies held talks in 2024, but the discussions were halted after they failed to agree on valuation.
Advertisement
