Who we are
Environment
Respect for the environment is central to Rio Tinto's approach to sustainable development. Unless we operate responsibly and can demonstrate leadership in all aspects of exploring, mining, processing, transporting and marketing we are unlikely to be given the ready access we need to people, capital and land. In this regard, we want Rio Tinto to be viewed as the public's preferred developer - from exploration right through to mine closure.
We have devised and implemented a number of practical programmes covering the management of climate change, water, land stewardship, biodiversity, mineral and non mineral waste, air quality, and closure. These programmes include input from our local communities as well as from experts in these fields. Examples of our work in 2007 include:
- developing and implementing a biodiversity values assessment tool designed to prioritise risks and opportunities;
- developing and implementing a new protected area of national significance in Madagascar in collaboration with other stakeholders;
- discovering and protecting several new species of rare troglofauna at an iron ore development in the Pilbara;
- conducting risk and opportunity assessments for water management at 34 sites; and
- testing a programme to improve mineral waste management at three sites to help operations reduce the financial risks and increase environmental protection relating to tailings, waste rock, open pits, block caves, underground workings and waste processing.
Discussion of Rio Tinto's significant environmental incidents can be found in the Directors' report.
