Our approach

Air

We understand that our operations release emissions into the atmosphere that may have an effect on people and the environment. Our main sources of air emissions are from burning fossil fuels, moving raw materials and waste, and smelting metal.

We have developed a strategy to assess and manage these effects, and help us look for ways to improve our emissions performance. Through the Rio Tinto air quality control standard, we constantly review our emissions, and apply controls to minimise any health or environmental impacts from these. We also monitor particulate gas and vapour exposure in the workplace, in line with our occupational health standards.

We measure and audit our operations' emissions performance against the Rio Tinto air quality control standard, and if corrective actions are needed then we put these in place.

In 2009, we are launching the Rio Tinto air quality strategy to guide our global efforts in air quality management. Some objectives of the strategy may include:

To avoid or continually minimise the effect of our air emissions on people and the environment.
To develop a scientifically robust understanding of how our air emissions impact the airsheds in which we operate.
To embed air quality and air emissions management principles in projects and operations, throughout their life cycles.
To establish and maintain leading practice for the management of air impacts in the mining industry.
To engage and influence stakeholders that use, manage and study the airsheds in which we operate including other industries, communities, governments and scientific professionals.

See our policies, standards and guidance

Proposed emissions trading legislation in Australia

Environmental publications

Data over the past 5 years

Water strategy sets the standards

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