Rio Tinto partners with Utah State University

The Institute is an interdisciplinary initiative designed to convene appropriate stakeholders to research, study, and better understand challenges facing the state. It also helps guide Utah land, water, and air policy by connecting decision-makers with the high quality research conducted.

Its partnership with Rio Tinto will see the major miner provide just over $150,000 to the institute from 2024 to 2026.

The funds from Rio Tinto will support high-impact projects such as the institute’s faculty impact grant program, production of the annual ‘Governor and Legislature on Utah’s Land, Water, and Air’ report, and other initiatives to be announced this year.

The partnership marks the institute’s first summit-level community partner with annual funding of more than $100,000 per year.

“Rio Tinto’s investment will significantly increase our capacity to support research, outreach, and other activities to benefit our state’s environment and landscapes,” Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air executive director BrianSteed said.

“We are actively seeking investment from community partners to help us scale our positive impact on Utah’s land, water and air.”

Rio Tinto Kennecott managing director Nate Foster said the company is proud to be part of the Utah community, prioritising the sustainability of its operations and minimising environmental impacts.

“Supporting the work of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air is one of the most effective ways we can strengthen education and conservation efforts for critical natural resources in our state,” Foster said.