Energy
Rio Tinto uses a range of energy sources to run mobile and stationary equipment used in mining operations, for milling and smelting processes, for electricity generation and to transport materials between operations and customers.
The dominant energy sources at our operations are purchased electricity and fuels, such as diesel and fuel oils, and coal.
The social and environmental consequences of using energy include the production of greenhouse gases during the combustion of coal and oil, the waste disposal implications from the use of uranium, the use of land and water, the impacts on communities from hydroelectric schemes, and the visual impact of wind power generation. These are generic consequences applying to all energy users, with specific regional and local issues that are not unique to Rio Tinto.
The availability of different types of energy is often restricted by local or regional supply/economic issues, which in turn are being increasingly influenced by State energy policies. Nevertheless, Rio Tinto needs to assess and source the most appropriate energy sources for its operations and activities, and use the energy wisely. We do this by:
- Improving energy efficiency at our operations; and,
- Ensuring that decisions on technology choice and equipment selection for our operations consider energy related matters.
Rio Tinto's technical staff are working on a specific power project aimed at improving operational efficiencies, reducing environmental impact and in so doing reducing costs.
We collect detailed information each year to help us to understand our energy use and efficiency improvements.
Implementation of our climate change programme provides the main direction for developing tools and measures to improve energy efficiency around the Group, although we have adopted a 5 year 5 per cent energy efficiency improvement target for the period 2003-2008.
To view our Innovations in Energy... More
To view our Innovations in Electricity Supply... More
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