Non mineral wastes
Rio Tinto generated 300,000 tonnes of non mineral waste in 2005, an 18 per cent increase from 2004. The majority of this increase was due to the implementation of once off site clean up programmes and the commissioning of HIsmelt® during 2005.
Aluminium smelters are significant contributors to Rio Tinto's non mineral waste generation. These operations generate specialist wastes that are inherent in the smelting process, including spent cell lining, bath, carbon fines and refractory bricks. In addition, Rio Tinto's largest copper producer disposes of significant quantities of non mineral wastes to landfill and other disposal locations.
Sixty eight per cent of Rio Tinto's non mineral waste was generated by ten operations in 2005.
In 2005:
- Thirty per cent was recycled or reused.
- Sixty per cent of all non mineral waste disposed was disposed on site, a 21 per cent decrease from 2004.
- Of the non mineral waste disposed off site in 2005, 70 per cent was placed in landfill.
Management of non mineral waste in 2005
What about Hazardous waste?
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