Rio Tinto Communities standard
At the end of 2004 the Rio Tinto Communities standard was issued to Group businesses to support the implementation of the Communities policy. The Standard sets out the requirements businesses need to consider in the design and implementation of an effective community relations programme. It describes requirements in the areas of Five year communities plans, baseline communities assessments, consultation,
cultural heritage, and community assistance. Additional requirements include monitoring and reporting, and community relations management. Rio Tinto has developed guidance notes on each of these topics to assist business in meeting the requirements set out in the Standard.
One of the key challenges in drafting the Rio Tinto Communities standard has been striking the right balance between the need for prescribed, minimum requirements and the need for local invention and implementation. Rio Tinto firmly believes that the most effective community relations programmes are those designed and implemented by Group business's community relations practitioners working closely with their affected communities. Therefore, the Communities standard provides a framework within which Group business' develop and agree programmes and activities.
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