We have major operations in Australia and North America which account for approximately 85 per cent of the value of our assets, as well as significant businesses in South America, Europe, southern Africa and Asia.
- All injury frequency rate reduced to 0.82 from 0.98
- Set iron ore production and sales records
- Progressed transformation of our aluminium business
- Exceeded targeted controllable operating cost savings
and/or projects
Rio Tinto Alcan is a global leader in the aluminium industry. It mines high quality bauxite, refines alumina for both primary aluminium production and specialty alumina markets, and produces primary aluminium at some of the lowest cost, most technologically advanced smelters in the industry. The group is renowned for its technology leadership as well as its advantaged renewable energy assets.
Number of employees: 22,919(1)
Products
Bauxite, Alumina, Specialty aluminas, Aluminium
Key facts
- Integration synergies expected to exceed US$1.1 billion in 2010
- Achieved rapid cost reductions and production curtailments
- Business being transformed in readiness for the economic recovery
- During the course of the year, aluminium prices plummeted by as much as 70 per cent from 2008
Contribution to gross sales revenue
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The Copper group is one of the world’s largest producers of copper, with valuable by-products of gold and molybdenum. A diverse mix of operations and projects are located in North and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. In addition to interests in some of the world’s largest copper mines, it is taking the lead in the development of three of the world’s largest new copper projects.
Number of employees: 7,612(1)
Products
Copper, Gold, Molybdenum, Silver, Nickel
Key facts
- Strong operating performance in 2009 supported by recovering market
- Kennecott Utah Copper production up 37 per cent from 2008
- Copper industry faces future supply challenges
- Breakthrough agreement for development of major Mongolian copper-gold mine
Contribution to gross sales revenue
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The group comprises Rio Tinto Diamonds (RTD), Rio Tinto Minerals (RTM) and Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (RTIT). RTD accounts for about six per cent of the world’s production of rough diamonds by value. RTM is a global leader in borates and talc supply and of the science behind their use, and RTIT is a market leader in titanium dioxide feedstock, used in the manufacture of pigments for paints and plastics.
Number of employees: 7,375(1)
Products
Diamonds, Borates, Titanium dioxide feedstocks, Talc, High purity iron, Metal powders, Zircon, Rutile
Key facts
- Businesses oriented to OECD demand hence difficult conditions
- Businesses showing signs of recovery, particularly in Asian markets
- Diavik Diamonds underground mine starts production in 2010
- Commencement of ramp up of Madagascar mineral sands mine
Contribution to gross sales revenue
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Rio Tinto is a leading supplier of thermal and coking coal to the Asian seaborne market as well as being one of the world’s largest uranium producers supplying uranium oxide to electric power utilities worldwide. Rio Tinto Coal Australia manages eight coal mines in Queensland and New South Wales. In the US, the group operates the Colowyo coal mine and has a 48 per cent interest in Cloud Peak Energy.
Number of employees: 7,613(1)
Products
Thermal coal, Coking coal, Uranium
Key facts
- More robust seaborne coal markets emerging
- De-bottlenecking of Australian coal export ports under way
- New Clermont mine and Kestrel mine expansion on track
- Nuclear power comeback spells promise for uranium
Contribution to gross sales revenue
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Rio Tinto Iron Ore is the second largest supplier to the world’s seaborne iron ore trade and produces direct saleable lump and fines ore, pellets and concentrates. It has a global supply capacity to serve both the Pacific and Atlantic markets, operating an integrated platform of mines, rail and port infrastructure including development projects designed to respond rapidly to changes in demand. It operates Dampier Salt located near its iron ore mines in Australia as well as Rio Tinto Marine.
Number of employees:11,375(1)
Products
Iron ore and Salt
Key facts
- Operated at full run rate of 220 million tonnes capacity in second half of 2009
- Developing plans to produce 330 million tonnes per year
- Uses automated mining technologies including driverless haul trucks
Contribution to gross sales revenue
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Activities that support our businesses
The role of the Exploration group is to add value to Rio Tinto by discovering or acquiring resources that can increase future cash flows. It is organised into regional multi-commodity teams, with head offices in the UK, the US and Australia, supported by commodity and commercial specialists. Programmes are prioritised on a global basis, with investment decisions driven not by location or choice of commodity but rather by the quality of each opportunity.
Technology & Innovation has offices in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US. Its role is to identify, develop and promote best operational technology practice across the Group and to pursue step change innovation of strategic importance to orebodies of the future.
Notes
- (1) This is the average Rio Tinto share of employees for managed businesses, excluding contractors and employees in businesses classified as assets held for sale in 2009.