The U.S. faces a significant mining worker shortage.

By 2029, approximately 221,000 miners in the U.S. are expected to retire, and the number of candidates willing to replace them is decreasing.

Baby boomers are retiring and our workforce is aging, said Bold Baatar, chief executive of copper at Rio Tinto, as we continue to depend on their expertise.

The demand for rare earth minerals, including lithium, cobalt, and copper, which are essential for making batteries for electric vehicles and smartphones, is increasing.

At least 384 new mines will be required globally to meet the demand for electric vehicles by 2035, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

Rio Tinto's copper mining operation in Utah was examined by CNBC to comprehend the miners' part in the shift to green energy.