Our approach
Our focus on sustainable development - on economic prosperity, social wellbeing, environmental stewardship and strong governance and integrity systems - provides the framework in which our business operates. Delivering on our sustainable development commitment means making sustainable development considerations an integral part of our business plans and decision making processes.
In this part of the website you can find information on our environmental stewardship, economic prosperity and social wellbeing responsibilities and imperatives, as well as the governance systems under which we operate. This information supplements the overview of our sustainable development programmes in the 2009 Annual report and the 2009 Annual review.
- Environment
- Economic
- Social
- Governance
In focus
What is sustainable development?
Through our activities, mining and processing the Earth's mineral resources, we have the ability to make a significant contribution to the major pillars of sustainable development: social wellbeing, environmental stewardship and economic prosperity within strong governance systems.
Life of our operations and products
Rio Tinto has a commitment to ensure our operations and products are developed and used appropriately throughout their lifecycle.
Closure as a component of mine life planning
- Closing a mine does not simply mean shutting down production, rehabilitating the land and walking away. People's livelihoods can be affected, as can the social and environmental programmes established during the life of the mine.
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