US-based Rio Tinto has approved the construction of a 25 MW solar plant at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah, increasing the mine’s total solar capacity to 30 MW. This new solar facility will be located next to Kennecott’s existing 5 MW solar plant, completed in 2023. Together, the two plants aim to reduce Kennecott’s Scope 2 emissions by 6%, equivalent to approximately 21,000 tons of CO₂ annually. Scheduled for completion next year, the project will create temporary employment for up to 100 laborers and a few long-term roles for operations and maintenance. Bechtel Corporation will oversee the design and construction of the project. The new 210-acre solar array, featuring over 71,000 tellurium based panels, says Rio Tinto.