Operational and Technical Excellence

The way Rio Tinto applies and develops new technology is vital to its future success. John Harvey, control systems officer at the Cape Lambert iron ore export terminal in Western Australia.

The Operational and Technical Excellence (OTX) group, which includes Health, Safety and Environment, provides a central platform to support Rio Tinto's operations, future growth and profitability. It provides a world class technology based service to the product groups and their businesses and advises executive management.

Through the Health, Safety and Environment unit, assurance is provided to the board with regard to the development and implementation of Rio Tinto's Safety, Occupational Health and Environment policies and standards.

All units in OTX identify, share and implement leading practice across Rio Tinto. Collaboration in knowledge capture and dissemination is a key requirement for all staff.

Throughout 2006, OTX staff were a core part of the Improving performance together programme, driving the implementation of a number of initiatives to create value for the Group through a combination of capital efficiency, higher volumes, higher revenues and improved productivity.

The OTX group's charge against net earnings was US$50 million, compared with US$41 million in 2005. The increase was due to the greater level of activity in all OTX units.

The total staff in OTX at year end was 368 compared with 343 in 2005.