Features

Rio Tinto's men of iron in the Pilbara of Western Australia have got in touch with their feminine side, in aid of Purple Bra Day on 13 June 2008.

As part of efforts to raise money and awareness for a breast cancer fundraising campaign, Rio Tinto Iron Ore and its equipment supplier partners Komatsu, Hitachi, Terex and Caterpillar have teamed up to paint the trays of select dump trucks and other equipment a vivid pink. The giant Komatsu 380E haul truck pictured has arrived at the Tom Price iron ore mine.

Rio Tinto's hierarchy may be dominated by men but more than 25 per cent of its Pilbara haul truck drivers are women.

The trucks are in the pink following the promotion of breast cancer awareness by Rio Tinto employees who over the past year have been wearing purple boots to work. Rio Tinto has agreed to kick in up to A$20,000 to match staff contributions to breast cancer research.