Strategy and vision

Rio Tinto's objective is to maximise total shareholder return by sustainably finding, developing, mining and processing natural resources.

Strategy

Our strategy is to invest in and operate large, long term, cost competitive mines and businesses, driven not by choice of commodity but rather by the quality of each opportunity.

A fundamental part of this is to deliver value while operating in an ethically and socially responsible manner, and remaining committed to long term sustainable development.

To deliver this strategy the Group concentrates on:

• The discovery of Tier 1 (large, low cost) orebodies that will safeguard our future cash flow
• The development of Group assets into safe and efficient large scale, long life and low cost operations to ensure the Group can operate profitably at every stage of the commodity cycle
• Operating in an ethical and socially responsible manner that maintains Rio Tinto's reputation and ensures ongoing access to people, capital and mineral resources
• Putting long term sustainable development at the heart of everything the Group does

At Rio Tinto, there is always a suite of quality projects under development or appraisal, and a portfolio of global exploration projects to ensure profitable development opportunities for the future.

Vision

Our vision of being the global mining leader means maintaining or achieving sector leadership, including operational excellence, sustainable development, exploration and innovation.

The global reach of our operations and projects gives us the ability to respond to rising demand for metals and minerals from developed and emerging economies. Our diverse portfolio, high quality assets, and expertise in technology and marketing give us the capability to supply a wide spectrum of customers and markets. Effective supply chain integration with our operations and Rio Tinto Marine ensures that we meet customer needs and create value for ourselves by supplying the right products and services at the right time to the right place.

Rio Tinto has a strong reputation for operational excellence and sustainable development. This reputation gives us our licence to operate, and it is essential that we uphold it and build upon it.

Our assets and reputation give us the capabilities to operate and grow our business on a global scale. And as we do so, we also have the scope and expertise to bring long term benefits to our local communities and host countries.