Rio Tinto backs six startups in high-tech bid for cleaner mining of lithium, copper

British VC fund Founders Factory has launched the Mining Tech Accelerator in partnership with Rio Tinto, as the metals giant seeks to find better ways to cash-in on surging demand for lithium, copper, and other materials critical to the clean transition. In April, Rio Tinto committed 14.4mn Australian dollars (€8.8mn) to the accelerator, which will support pre-seed and seed-stage startups over the next three years. The partners unveiled the first cohort of six startups today. The fledgling companies will now enter a four-month programme that will conclude in Perth, Australia in December.   “We understand the vast opportunity ahead in decarbonising…

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