BYD, Globex Mining, Rio Tinto – Humanoid Robots Set to Fuel Demand for Raw Materials

BYD: A humanoid robot between patent and practice

The automaker is thinking beyond the showroom. In June, Executive Vice President Stella Li said she would like two to three robots in every store to explain and demonstrate vehicles. They are not intended to replace sales staff, but rather to improve service. In her view, such advisers could be ready for practical use in one to two years. BYD intends to market the robots through its existing dealer network. According to media reports, BYD had announced an August debut for its first humanoid robot at the Di Space experience centre in Zhengzhou. To date, however, it has not yet been officially unveiled.

A design patent published by the Chinese patent office on October 9 provides a clearer picture. The owner is BYD. The robot has two arms, two legs and movable fingers and is intended to be able to work in services, education and industry. However, the patent says nothing about performance, readiness for mass production or the final appearance. Li also sees a large market for domestic use and services. BYD also plans an open platform for its own robots and products with partners. If the move into mass production succeeds, the group could transfer its strengths in manufacturing, software and hardware to robots.

The automotive business provides the foundation for this. In September, BYD sold 463,561 vehicles, almost 17% more than in the same month last year and its strongest month of the year so far. Battery electric vehicle sales rose 33.2% to 273,143 units, while plug-in hybrid sales fell 2.4% to 183,570. Overseas sales rose 153.6% to 180,700 vehicles, while domestic sales rose 12.8% to 282,861. However, from January to September, vehicle sales totalled 3,131,576, 3.9% below the same period last year. If the automotive business performs, the group has the money to continue driving its new robotics division forward.

Globex Mining: A portfolio spanning many commodities

Globex Mining started as an explorer but increasingly sees itself as a royalty company. At the International Investment Forum (IIF) on October 7, President and COO David Christie cited 106 royalties that the company currently owns. Including options, partners are working on 116 projects, while the portfolio comprises 276 projects in total. About half of the projects involve gold and other precious metals, roughly a quarter involve base metals, and another quarter involves speciality metals and minerals, such as antimony, manganese or magnesium. Globex covers 21 of the 34 critical minerals on the Canadian list. The company therefore has a foothold in many commodities.

Operationally, Christie says this is one of the busiest autumns in a long time. This autumn, Globex is drilling at three wholly owned projects, namely Cadillac-Wood, Rouyn-Merger and Shortt Lake. More than 8,000 m are planned in total. At Cadillac-Wood, 4,484 m in 10 drill holes have been completed, with assay results expected soon. On October 5, LaFleur Minerals reported 6.05 g/t gold over 8 m, including 14.96 g/t over 3.0 m, at the Bartec section of the Swanson project, in which Globex holds a 2% Gross Metal Royalty. This is the first modern drill hole at this gold deposit.

The company is also financially sound. According to Christie, Globex is debt-free and can operate without raising capital on the market. On October 9, Globex announced that the exchange approved a buyback of up to 1,000,000 shares, about 1.76% of the 56,941,936 outstanding shares. It runs from October 15, 2026, through October 14, 2027. There are also potential catalysts. According to Christie, an option partner expects to release its first resource estimate for the Bald Hill antimony project this autumn. If production at Bell Mountain, planned to start in 2027, begins, revenue from the 3% Gross Metal Royalty could grow noticeably.

Rio Tinto – Metals for the future, iron ore for the present

Rio Tinto released third-quarter figures on 14 October. Copper production of 205,000 tonnes was unchanged year on year, but 4 % below the second quarter. Oyu Tolgoi contributed 114,000 t, an increase of 27 %. The smelter at Kennecott has been operating again since late August following repairs. The target of 800,000 to 870,000 t for 2026 remains in place. Lithium production rose by 4 % to 13,000 t of lithium carbonate equivalent, but was 11 % below the second quarter. Due to the slower ramp-up at Sal de Vida, the group expects only the lower end of the range of 61,000 to 64,000 tonnes.

Iron ore is performing well. Global sales rose 3% to 90.8 million tonnes in the third quarter, while 2026 guidance remains unchanged at 343 to 366 million tonnes. At Simandou, the project reached an annualised production rate of around 10 million tonnes based on 100% utilisation. Rio has already announced measures worth more than USD 2 billion this year, part of a USD 5 to 10 billion programme. Higher diesel prices and the exchange rate are expected to add USD 1.1 and USD 1.0 per tonne, respectively, to Pilbara's costs for the full year.

On 23 October, the group announced that it would invest USD 1.9 billion in the Kangwinan bauxite project in Queensland. It is intended to replace the Andoom mine, which is nearing the end of its life. The project adds 20 million t of annual bauxite capacity at Weipa. Construction work will ramp up in 2027, with first production scheduled for 2029 and full production for 2032. The loading wharf at Amrun is being expanded to accommodate larger vessels. On 8 September, the group had announced the acquisition of the neighbouring Aurukun project from Glencore and Mitsubishi. There is still a long way to go before first production, and Aurukun lacks permits.

Conclusion

Humanoid robots are still a future vision, but they are drawing attention to the metals behind them. BYD holds a design patent and sold 463,561 vehicles in September, but has yet to officially unveil its robot. Globex Mining offers access to many commodities through 106 royalty projects and work on 116 projects. It is drilling at three of its own projects this autumn and is authorised to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares. Rio Tinto supplies copper and lithium, confirms its iron ore production guidance and is investing USD 1.9 billion in bauxite.