Performance
Sustainable development
Safety
Performance for the Iron Ore group remained broadly in line with the previous year at a 0.93 all injury frequency rate (AIFR), compared with 0.96 in 2007. Sadly, the performance was marred by a tragic double fatality in a dump truck incident at the Simandou project in Guinea in early November involving employees of a contractor. Resources were put in place to support employees and affected families.
The Dampier port upgrade project was completed in early 2008 with the excellent record of 2.3 million man hours lost time injury free.
The Corumbá operation in Brazil was one of the recipients of the Chief Executive's Safety Award in 2008, for its sustained excellence in safety performance. All operations conducted semi-quantitative risk assessments to identify potential fatality risks, with plans to mitigate those exposures. Other safety initiatives included the improvement of the Contractor Management System as well as an improved pre-task risk assessment tool.
Greenhouse gas emissions
Energy reduction plans have been rolled out across the majority of Iron Ore sites, where energy champions have been appointed to identify energy reduction opportunities. Energy sub-metering and data tracking is being enhanced across the business to assist this and meet imminent compliance requirements. Energy consumption targets are in place for all sites and progress will be tracked.
RTIO's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 4.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2008. In the past two years increased production, longer rail and truck hauls and increased stripping have contributed to the emissions increase.
Iron Ore is preparing for energy assessments to meet the Australian Government's Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act.
RTIO will replace its ageing and inefficient power generation infrastructure at the Pilbara coast with new generation plant which includes technology able to emit 25 per cent less GHG emissions and have the ability to retrofit a combined cycle which could further reduce emissions in the future.
Housing and Town Services have implemented several initiatives to improve energy efficiency in towns and camps. RTIO's technology division continues to work towards demonstrating a number of new technologies which could significantly reduce energy use and GHG emissions.
A number of these technologies, such as hybrid locomotives and alternative fuels for haul trucks and trains, are being managed under an alliance with General Electric, bringing together the Eco-magination and Mine of the FutureT programmes. In addition, the division is studying new technologies for alternative electricity generation, including the use of solar power.
