Energy
Rio Tinto's businesses use energy for mining, milling and smelting operations, electricity generation, transport and other support functions.
In 2005, Rio Tinto used 246 petajoules of energy, a 5.8 per cent increase from 2004. This increase was mainly due to start up of the new Comalco Alumina Refinery (CAR) in Q4 2004 and the commissioning of HIsmelt® during 2005. Production increases at Palabora in South Africa and at the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) also contributed to the increase in energy use. These increases were slightly offset by a divestment of two operations.
Over the past five years there has been an ten per cent increase in energy use. Most of this increase has occurred due to operational expansions and new developments.
Energy use by type (2001-2005)
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Energy use per tonne of product
Uses of energy
Sources of energy
Data reliability
Terms used
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