Copper Production Increase: Once fully operational, the Oyu Tolgoi underground expansion is expected to produce over 500,000 tonnes of copper annually.

Additional Copper Production: This production increase is in addition to the current open-pit operations at Oyu Tolgoi, significantly boosting Rio Tinto's overall copper production.

Gold and Silver: Alongside copper, Oyu Tolgoi will also produce substantial amounts of gold and silver as by-products, further enhancing the revenue stream.

Average Gold and Silver Yield: During its first ten years of full production, Oyu Tolgoi is projected to yield an average of approximately 430,000 ounces of gold and 2.6 million ounces of silver annually.

Iron Ore Production Increase: Simandou is projected to experience a significant increase in iron ore production.

Potential Output: The exact amount of the production increase at Simandou has not yet been specified.

Rio Tinto

Newmont Corporation

Iron Ore and Rio Tinto

Gold and Newmont

1. Safe-Haven Demand:

2. During economic slowdowns, investors tend to move their assets into safer investments like gold. This increased demand can drive up gold prices even when industrial demand for metals like iron ore declines.

3. Historically, gold prices often rise during times of economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and financial market volatility.

4. Diversified Demand:

5. Apart from investment demand, gold is used in jewelry and various technological applications, providing a steady baseline demand.

6. Central banks around the world continue to buy gold to diversify their reserves, which supports the global demand for gold.

7. Monetary Policies:

8. Gold is often seen as a hedge against inflation. Central banks may implement monetary policies that can lead to inflation, thereby increasing the attractiveness of gold.

9. Lower interest rates globally can reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, making it more attractive to investors.

While Rio Tinto's stock might face challenges due to its dependence on iron ore and the potential for reduced demand from China, Newmont's focus on gold provides a different dynamic. Gold's role as a safe-haven asset ensures that it remains valuable even during economic slowdowns, including potential slowdowns in China. This dynamic makes Newmont’s stock potentially more resilient compared to Rio Tinto’s in such scenarios.