Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs
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The drive for innovation and continuous improvement is at the heart of our purpose
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Climate change is at the heart of our business strategy
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Finding better ways to do things is in our DNA
We supply the metals and minerals used to help the world grow and decarbonise
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
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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 2023
As temporary custodians of the land where we operate, we are entrusted with accessing the world’s essential materials and making them available for society’s use
Climate Change
We’re targeting net zero emissions by 2050
Tailings
We’ve launched a new interactive map of our tailings facilities
We aim to deliver superior returns to our shareholders while safeguarding the environment and meeting our obligations to wider society
Reports 2023
Download our 2023 Annual Report, Climate Change Report, Sustainability Fact Book and Taxes Paid Report
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Our podcast discussing what needs to happen to create a sustainable future for the everyday items we have come to rely on
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Tackling it all
A short documentary series with the Queensland Reds is inspiring working women everywhere
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Meet Frances Whittle – animal lover, green thumb and proud member of the Land Management & Rehabilitation team at Rio Tinto's Weipa bauxite mine, in far northern Australia.
It can be tough work and you definitely get your hands dirty – and maybe other parts of your body too. But, Frances says, "I'm passionate about what I do – that's why I’m here."
Frances has an important job. She makes sure our mine leaves the smallest impact on the environment.
Frances and her team restore parts of the land back to nature, once mining stops. Just last year they grew 25,000 native plants from seed. And they planted 25,000 seedlings – baby trees – on 125 hectares. A year on, almost all of the seedlings planted are thriving.
"It means what we're doing is working. It's really important, because we want to make sure it's looked after properly for future generations," says Frances.
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For Frances, who is from the Torres Strait Islands, coaching local Aboriginal trainees is one of her favourite parts of her job.
"I can pass on my knowledge so they can further their future and do what they want to do.
"And I learn from them too – about the land and their culture, and what it means to them."
That's why the team is working closely with local Aboriginal people as part of the mine's rehabilitation.
"We're working with people who live here, who work here, and who know this land – because it's their country.
"And by combining science with the unique knowledge of the local people, we can get the best result," Frances said.
In fact it's an essential part of the mining process.
Long before mining starts, our team does cultural and environmental studies to understand the area and look for ways to reduce any impacts. We can do this by avoiding an area, or by working with Traditional Owners to make sure heritage sites are looked after during mining.
Other times it's about making sure land is rehabilitated the right way afterwards. One of the ways we're doing this at Weipa is by working with Traditional Owners to understand how they use the region's plants – for medicine, food and ceremonies.
Then, as part of rehabilitation, the team makes sure those plants are grown in the right areas: "We make sure trees like the nonda plum – an edible native fruit – are planted in areas where local Aboriginal people gather and share stories," Frances says.
There's also the mine's seed collection programme. Last year, local Aboriginal people collected nearly 800kgs of native seed to help regenerate mined areas. It's a source of income for collectors, and gives families an opportunity to work together on country and pass on knowledge to the next generation. And it gives Frances's team a source of local seeds to grow native plants.
"Aboriginal people have a strong spiritual connection to the land. And so it's important they have a hand in the regeneration – that they can be part of it," Frances said.
Science, nature and ancient knowledge all working together. That's one way we define progress.
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As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of our Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
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.
Part 1 of this Privacy Policy contains the Rio Tinto Data Privacy Standard, which provides an overview of Rio Tinto’s approach to personal data processing. There is additional information in the appendices to the Data Privacy Standard, including information about disclosures, trans-border data transfers, the exercise of data subject rights and how to make complaints or obtain further information relating to Rio Tinto’s processing of your personal data.
If you choose to subscribe to our media releases or other communications, you can unsubscribe at any time (by following the instructions in the email or by contacting us at digital.comms@riotinto.com).
With your consent, our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site.
A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer if you agree. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive.
As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of this Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
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