Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs
Purpose & Values
The drive for innovation and continuous improvement is at the heart of our purpose
Business Strategy
Climate change is at the heart of our business strategy
We are 150
150 years of finding better ways
Iron Ore
Iron ore is the primary raw material used to make steel
7 things the world will need for a low-carbon future
Wind, sun and water – what else do you need to make renewable energy work?
Sustainability – the expectation, not the exception
Shaping our aluminium product offering to meet demand for greener metals
We work across six continents in around 35 countries
Look inside a mine of the future
Our most intelligent mine yet is pioneering new mining technologies
Rincon Project
A long-life, low-cost and low-carbon lithium source
Simandou Project
The world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit
Providing materials the world needs in a responsible way
Sustainability Reporting 2022
We have a responsibility to extract the full value from the minerals and materials we produce in the safest and most sustainable way possible
Climate Change
We’re targeting net zero emissions by 2050
Water
Sharing our water usage
We aim to deliver superior returns to our shareholders while safeguarding the environment and meeting our obligations to wider society
Rio Tinto Limited 2023 AGM
Perth: 4 May 2023
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Hi friends
My name is Nugget. I’m the Chief Science Elf in Santa’s Workshop, at the North Pole.
This week, Santa sent me out to buy more wrapping paper (an unexpected number of good little boys and girls this year), but I got a little lost along the way.
Luckily for me, the Diavik team found me. I was 200km south of the North Pole in Canada’s Northwest Territories! But I was so excited to meet them because I LOVE science.
I love building stuff and I love rocks – especially ones that sparkle like elf dust! HELLO DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE!
I had so many questions: What happens at a mine? Is it safe? And do you get rainbow-flavoured cotton candy for breakfast? Oh – and can I have a diamond? (Santa needs new bling.)
So, for the past month my Diavik friends have been showing me around their diamond mine. Here’s what I learned:
Just like at Santa’s Workshop, health and safety is top priority. Santa is always saying to us, “Making toys for all the kids is important, but your health and safety always comes first”. When I got to Diavik I had to do a health check, get a flu shot to keep me in tip top shape (Doc says I need to cut back on the candy canes, sigh), and fitted with all the right safety gear – like ear plugs (red and green ones – my favourite colours!), safety glasses, and really strong boots to keep my feet safe. At the start of every shift we talked about what we need do to stay safe – and keep our team mates safe too.
A mine takes a lot of science and a lot of creativity. Did you know Diavik’s diamonds are buried UNDER A LAKE? How cool is that?! The Diavik team built special walls that hold the water back so they can find the diamonds. And when their mining is done they’ll let the water back into the lake, and the buildings will be taken away. And, like magic, you’ll never even know it was there. No magic here though friends: study maths and science, and you can do amazing things like this too!
Job: Chief Science Elf, Santa’s Workshop Lives: North Pole Favourite colours: Red and green Favourite Christmas carol: Jingle Bell Rock. Neil Diamond’s version, of course 😊 Past times: Science. Making toys. Oh, and checking Santa’s list…sometimes twice. Favourite movie: Elf! But it’s hard to resist snuggling up in front of a warm fire to watch Love Actually (c’mon, it’s a Christmas classic!)
And it takes a lot of people. There are over 1,000 people working at Diavik – ALMOST as many as the elves in Santa’s Workshop. There are environmental scientists, safety experts, chefs, engineers, nurses, truck drivers, the housekeeping team who keep the site neat and clean, pilots, weather experts, mechanics, computer geniuses and people who work in a giant warehouse that stores everything from AAA batteries to truck engines as big as Santa’s sleigh. The only thing they’re missing is a Chief Science Elf…ahem.
They love Rudolph (and the other reindeer too) as much as I do. Some of my best pals are reindeers: Dancer, Prancer, Blitzen – and Rudolph of course! The Diavik team are passionate about looking after plants and animals. They have a special team that keeps check on animals like caribou and fish, make sure the water used at the mine and put back in the lake is safe for people and animals, and that waste is carefully managed.
They’re proud to call the Northwest Territories home. Everyone I’ve spoken to at Diavik agrees it’s a really special place – the peaceful tundra, the caribou playing in the snow and the northern lights twinkling overhead. It’s an honour and a privilege to work on the traditional lands of many First Nations peoples. Through our partnership – and with the help of so many local businesses and neighbours, the Diavik team is proud to make some of the world’s most ethical diamonds. Thanks for having me Diavik – I’ve sure learned a lot.
And Happy Holidays everyone! Be good!
Nugget
Beauty and integrity
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With the exception of the use of cookies (explained below), Rio Tinto generally does not seek to collect personal data through this website. However if you choose to provide personal data to Rio Tinto through this website (for example, by sending us an email), we will process that personal data to answer your query and if relevant, to manage our business relationship with you or your company. We won't process that personal data for other purposes except where required to meet our legal obligations or otherwise as authorised by law and notified to you.
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