Rio Tinto’s Copper Hunt In Canada’s North Comes Right As An Oil Town Faces Its Next Act
Rio Tinto has applied for a four-year permit to begin copper exploration in the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, with fieldwork planned between June 15 and August 31, 2026. The company seeks approval for low-impact activities such as surveys and sampling, not drilling or road construction. The move comes as Imperial Oil prepares to close its Norman Wells operation in late 2026. Local leaders have expressed support for the project.