Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs
Our business
We operate in 35 countries where our 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs
Our purpose in action
Continuous improvement and innovation are part of our DNA
Innovation
The need for innovation is greater than ever
We supply the metals and minerals used to help the world grow and decarbonise
Iron Ore
The primary raw material used to make steel, which is strong, long-lasting and cost-efficient
Lithium
The lightest of all metals, it is a key element needed for low-carbon technologies
Copper
Tough but malleable, corrosion-resistant and recyclable, and an excellent conductor of heat and transmitter of electricity
Bringing to market materials critical to urbanisation and the transition to a low-carbon economy
Oyu Tolgoi
One of the most modern, safe and sustainable operations in the world
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
Climate Change
We’re targeting net zero emissions by 2050
Nature solutions
Our nature-based solutions projects complement the work we're doing to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions
Enabling ESG transparency
Our START™ initiative tracks traceability and responsible production of Rio Tinto materials.
We aim to deliver superior returns to our shareholders while safeguarding the environment and meeting our obligations to wider society
Reports 2024
Download our 2024 suite of reports, including our 2024 Taxes and Royalties Paid Report, detailing $8.4 billion of taxes and royalties paid globally during the year
Get the latest news, stories and updates
Things You Can't Live Without
Our podcast discussing what needs to happen to create a sustainable future for the everyday items we have come to rely on
Refuelling the mining industry
How can we power the world’s biggest machines with new fuel solutions?
Forging a low-carbon future
How we're working to decarbonise iron ore and steel
Discover more about life at Rio Tinto
Graduates and students
If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it
Empowering families with flexibility
Supporting new parents of any gender with equal access to parental leave
Available jobs
Join our team
Wherever we are in the world, we strive to employ local people, buy local products and engage local services and suppliers.
In Western Australia, we’re supporting the development of local supply chains and local jobs to stimulate economic growth in the communities where we operate.
We have policies in place to use local businesses, including Pilbara Aboriginal Businesses, in our supply chains and we also recently introduced the Rio Tinto Buy Local programme to make it easier for local businesses to engage and bid for work with us.
In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, we own an integrated portfolio of world-class iron ore assets
In 2021, we established a direct container shipping service into the coastal town of Dampier in the north-west of Australia.
The new shipping route provides a faster, safer, cheaper and cleaner alternative to the existing freight delivery route via Perth, that can also be used by local businesses and residents to transport goods to the Pilbara.
The initiative has proved to be popular. The first ship that sailed into Dampier in February 2021 carried 17 containers – this grew to over 200 containers per ship by the end of the year.
“This new service connects the Pilbara to the rest of the world via the major international shipping hub of Singapore,” says Richard Cohen, Managing Director Rail, Port & Core Services of our Pilbara Iron Ore operations.
“By facilitating a direct shipping service into Dampier, we are supporting small business in the Pilbara and the City of Karratha’s vision to reduce the cost of business and lower the cost of living.”
As well as faster delivery times, it is also safer reducing road train travel from Perth by more than 3.8 million kilometres each year.
In 2021 we released a tender to build rail ore cars for our Pilbara operations. This includes 50 rail cars initially, with an additional 10 each year for five years.
Through this initiative, there are significant benefits not just for our business, but for the Western Australian economy, with the potential to establish an entire new industry for the state.
While the local industry cannot currently meet our full needs to manufacture and maintain ore cars in Western Australia, this initiative is an important step towards growing that capability and capacity and is a strong investment in the future by potentially establishing a new manufacturing industry.
With a rail network spanning nearly 2,000 kilometres, transporting iron ore to our ports, ore cars are a critical part of our operations and supply chain. Through this opportunity, the successful tenderer can partner with us, become part of our supply chain and create local jobs.
Working in partnership with our suppliers to manage a complex global supply chain in ways that benefit our customers, our business and our communities
Western Australia has been an important part of our history for more than 50 years and without the support we receive from local businesses and suppliers, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
In turn, we strive to look for ways to maximise opportunities for Western Australia based businesses, including Pilbara Aboriginal Businesses, to be part of our supply chain.
By partnering with local suppliers, we stimulate local economies, create local jobs and help local businesses grow.
In 2021 our Iron Ore business spent nearly $8 billion for goods and services, with more than 2,000 local businesses in Western Australia.
This included nearly A$300 million with 62 Indigenous businesses, an increase of 33% on the previous year.
These are some of the ways we’re committed to supporting local businesses, and we’ll continue to work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy for Western Australia.