On 11th March 2025, Rio Tinto executed a $9bn senior unsecured transaction across 8-tranches from 2yr – 40yrs. Proceeds will repay the $7bn bridge loan facility for the financing of Rio Tinto’s acquisition of Arcadium Lithium which closed the week prior to execution. This is the largest ever bond transaction from the metals & mining sector and is the largest USD bond transaction from an international issuer since 2021.
The acquisition of Arcadium Lithium strategically diversifies Rio Tinto’s portfolio across iron ore, copper, and aluminium, with lithium further bolstering Rio’s capabilities in facilitating the energy transition as a critical metal for battery and energy storage technology. Arcadium possesses one of the world’s largest lithium resource bases and a compelling growth pipeline which Rio aims to accelerate, while also delivering synergies across its Canadian and Argentinian operations.
RBC Capital Markets Acts as Joint Active Bookrunner to Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc on the transaction.
