Rio Tinto says lithium is becoming its fastest-growing business and outlines plans to expand production. The company intends to produce at least 61,000 metric tonnes of lithium in the current year. It also sets a longer-term capacity target of producing up to 200,000 metric tonnes of lithium by 2028. The reporting attributes the outlook to remarks by a Rio Tinto executive, describing lithium’s role within the company’s growth plans. Across the sources provided, the key details focus on projected volumes and timeline, rather than changes in company ownership, market demand, or specific mine or plant projects. No additional figures beyond the annual production floor and the 2028 capacity goal are included in the excerpts. Overall, the information indicates Rio Tinto is scaling its lithium operations with a near-term production target and a larger expansion target over the next several years.