Performance
Key priorities for 2009
Rio Tinto has long worked towards increasing the employment of traditional owners and other indigenous people. In July a goal of building indigenous participation to 20 per cent of the RTIO workforce by 2015 was established. This includes a commitment that any local Aboriginal person who finishes year-10 schooling will have the opportunity of a traineeship with Rio Tinto.
Commute services were introduced to assist indigenous workers from several regional centres in Western Australia, as part of a wider expansion of fly-in, fly-out programmes operating from regional centres across the state. The year 2009 will see an escalation of activity in this area, a fundamental aspect of Rio Tinto's community licence to operate. RTIO plans to escalate a comprehensive network of land use agreements with traditional owners.
The environment will continue to be a major focus for RTIO in 2009, particularly the more efficient use of energy and water. In the past year a number of studies examined improved water management practices in the Pilbara, such as harnessing dewatering discharge to achieve environmental benefits and also providing potential commercial opportunities for traditional owners.
RTIO will continue its strategy of bringing advanced technology and innovative applications to its traditional open pit mining techniques, with a number of exciting projects already under way. Several academic partnerships have been established, including a A$10.5 million partnership with Curtin University in Western Australia to develop a world class innovation centre dedicated to strategic research and development in materials and sensing in mining. The Centre will play a significant role in Rio Tinto's drive to incorporate world class R&D in its operations and vision for the Mine of the FutureTM.
Safety will continue as a priority focus throughout 2009. Specific areas to focus on include contractor familiarity and adherence with Rio Tinto standards, the frequency of hand injuries and the continued risk of driving related issues - still the single greatest risk area across our operations.
