London 2012
We're helping to produce the London 2012 medals
Rio Tinto will exclusively provide the metal to produce the 4,700 gold, silver and bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The metal has been sourced from opposite sides of the globe - from Rio Tinto's Kennecott Utah Copper mine near Salt Lake City, US, and from our Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia.
We run our business to very high ethical standards and are committed to running our mines responsibly. We aim to bring long-lasting, positive social, economic and environmental benefits to the communities, regions and countries where we work. The metals and minerals we produce go to make things we use every day, and that help contribute to higher living standards, from medicine and soap to housing and mobile phones.
We support London 2012's commitment to delivering the most sustainable games ever. It aligns with Rio Tinto's commitment to sustainable development wherever we operate. We have rigorous standards for air quality, ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change, the use of energy, land and water and waste disposal. Before we even open a mine we plan for its closure and how to restore the land.
In Salt Lake City, we operate strictly within the parameters of air permits and complies with federal and state air quality regulations, which are based on rigorous standards for protecting human health. Find out more.
In Oyu Tolgoi, we have committed to zero impact on community water sources. The primary water source for Oyu Tolgoi is the Gunii Hooloi aquifer - a deep, non-drinkable water source that is separate from the shallow water sources used by households and animals. Oyu Tolgoi is only allowed to use approximately 20 per cent of the water from Gunii Hooloi, so the aquifer can never be exhausted. Find out more.
Why are we getting involved?
It is an honour for Rio Tinto to contribute to the production of the Olympic medals - such an enduring symbol of achievement. We think it is a good way for us to tell our story with a global audience and share more about what we do and the sustainable way we do it.
Shared values
For Rio Tinto, our commitment to sustainable development is integral to everything we do. We actively support London 2012's commitment to deliver the most sustainable Games.
What does sustainable development mean to us?
As a company, we naturally meet the needs of customers, but we seek to do this without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. That is what we mean by sustainable development. It is good business as well as good sense.
London 2012 Paralympics
With one week to go until the application window for tickets for the Paralympic Games closes, the London 2012 Paralympic Games medals have been unveiled today at the opening of a new display at the British Museum for the Cultural Olympiad which gives the public their first opportunity to see the medals.
From mine to medal
Our products help make modern life work. Few people can spend a day without using a metal or mineral in one of their numerous downstream applications. And now from our mines we produce Olympic medals.
Kennecott Utah Copper
The majority of the metal for the London 2012 medals comes from Kennecott Utah Copper, based less than 30 miles from Salt Lake City.
Oyu Tolgoi
When Oyu Tolgoi, in Mongolia's South Gobi Desert, reaches full production in 2018, it is expected to be a top ten copper producer as well as one of the world's biggest gold producers.
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Did you know?
4,700 medals will be presented
at 771 victory ceremonies
across 31 venues
contested by 10,500 athletes
from 205 countries
competing in 26 Olympic sports
and
4,200 athletes
from 162 countries
competing in 20 Paralympic sports
in front of 4 billion viewers globally
and 20,000 media
supported by 70,000 volunteers
