Rio Tinto Iron Ore is exporter of the year

Rio Tinto won the 2006 Australian Minerals and Energy Exporter of the Year award at the Australian Export Awards. Sam Walsh, chief executive, Iron Ore, accepted the award at a ceremony in Melbourne.

"Our business is about relationships," said Sam. "I am proud we have long term relationships with our customers, many of the world's finest steel companies as well as joint ventures with members of the Japanese and Chinese steel industries, global traders and fellow miners."

Rio Tinto is Australia's largest iron ore producer, the world's second largest supplier, and the market leader in China.

A A$4 billion expansion programme is under way on time and within budget to increase Pilbara capacity.

This year is a key milestone for Rio Tinto, as Hamersley Iron's Pilbara operations celebrate their 40th anniversary.

Also, commercial shipments of pig iron have commenced from the HIsmelt® plant in Kwinana, bringing to fruition Australia's largest research and development project.

The Minerals and Energy Award is for outstanding export achievement for production of minerals or energy products. The submissions were judged based on the quality of the export marketing strategy, company infrastructure and the level and sustainability of export sales.

The Australian Exports Awards are jointly hosted by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.