Editing Multinational corporation (section)

===Mining===
Mining of gold, silver, copper, and oil was a major activity early on and remains so today. International mining companies became prominent in Britain in the 19th century, such as the [[Rio Tinto (corporation)|Rio Tinto company]] founded in 1873, which started with the purchase of sulfur and copper mines from the Spanish government. Rio Tinto, now based in London and [[Melbourne]], Australia, has made many acquisitions and expanded globally to mine [[aluminum]], [[iron ore]], [[copper]], [[uranium]], and [[diamond]]s.<ref>Charles E. Harvey, ''The Rio Tinto Company: an economic history of a leading international mining concern, 1873-1954.'' (Alison Hodge, 1981).</ref> European mines in [[South Africa]] began opening in the late 19th century, producing gold and other minerals for the world market, jobs for locals, and business and profits for companies.<ref>Francis Wilson, "Minerals and migrants: how the mining industry has shaped South Africa." ''Daedalus'' 130.1 (2001): 99–121 [https://www.amacad.org/sites/default/files/daedalus/downloads/Daedalus_wi2001_Why-South-Africa-Matters.pdf#page=109 online].</ref> [[Cecil Rhodes]] (1853–1902) was one of the few businessmen in the era who became Prime Minister (of South Africa 1890–1896). His mining enterprises included the [[British South Africa Company]] and [[De Beers]]. The latter company practically controlled the global diamond market from its base in southern Africa.<ref>Robert I. Rotberg, ''The Founder: Cecil Rhodes and the Pursuit of Power''. (Oxford University Press, 1988).</ref>