Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are charging higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) miner closed yesterday trading for $118.32. In late morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $120.87 apiece, up 2.2%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.4% at this same time.

Rio Tinto shares look to be catching some welcome tailwinds from a resurgent iron ore price.

Amid speculations of further property sector-boosting stimulus measures from China, the iron ore price gained another 2.2% overnight to trade at US$105.65 per tonne.

But, as we'll look at below, Catapult Wealth's Dylan Evans says the ASX 200 miner has more going for it than just its iron ore operations (courtesy of The Bull).

Should I buy Rio Tinto shares today?

"Most of the mining giant's earnings are generated from iron ore, but the company has been growing its exposure to aluminium, copper and lithium," said Evans, who has a buy recommendation on Rio Tinto shares.

"These commodities provide RIO with growth potential via attractive themes, including growing demand for electricity, batteries and other technologies," he added, citing the first reason the ASX 200 miner is a buy.

Evans is also optimistic on the miner's relatively low debt levels and strong cash generation.

He noted, "The company has the capability to invest in other commodities due to a modest gearing level and plenty of free cash flow generated by a mature iron ore business."

Which brings us to the third and fourth reasons Rio Tinto shares look like a good buy today. Namely, the reliable and "appealing" passive income the miner pays along with its quality management team.

As legendary investor Warren Buffett famously said, "A great manager is as important as a great business."

As for Rio Tinto, Evans noted that, "RIO offers solid prospects supported by a good management track record and a sustainable and appealing fully franked dividend yield that was recently above 5.5%."

What's been happening with the Rio Tinto dividend?

Returning to that welcome passive income, Rio Tinto shares have delivered two fully franked dividends over the past 12 months.

The ASX 200 miner paid an interim dividend of $2.617 per share on 26 September. And eligible investors will have received the final dividend of $3.713 per share on 17 April.

That brings the full-year dividend payout to $6.33 a share. At the current share price of $120.87, the mining stock trades on a fully franked trailing yield of 5.2%.

Atop that passive income, Rio Tinto shares have gained 6.2% since this time last year.