RIO TINTO GROUP - ASX: RIO

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Description

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London listed public company headquartered in the UK, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with executive offices in Melbourne. The two companies are joined in a dual listed companies (DLC) structure as a single economic entity, called the Rio Tinto Group.

To deliver superior returns to shareholders over time, Rio Tinto takes a long term and responsible approach to the Group's business. This means concentrating on the development of first class orebodies into large, long life and efficient operations, capable of sustaining competitive advantage through business cycles. We are a world leader in finding, mining and processing the Earth's mineral resources. Our products help fulfil vital consumer needs and improve living standards. We operate, and eventually close, our operations safely, responsibly and sustainably.

Rio Tinto's interests are diverse both in geography and product. We work in some of the world's most difficult terrains and climates. Most of our assets are in Australia and North America, but we also operate in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. Our businesses include open pit and underground mines, mills, refineries and smelters as well as a number of research and service facilities.

Rio Tinto operate as a global organisation, sharing best practices across the Group. Our values - accountability, respect, teamwork and integrity - are expressed through our business principles, policies and standards. We set these out in our worldwide code of business conduct, The way we work. Our values underpin the way we manage the economic, social and environmental effects of our operations, and how we govern our business.

Wherever Rio Tinto operates, health and safety is the first priority. All our Group businesses put sustainable development at the heart of their operations, working as closely as possible with host countries and communities, respecting their laws and customs. For Rio Tinto it is important that the environmental effects of its activities are kept to a minimum and that local communities benefit as much as possible from operations.

Aluminium

This unique and versatile metal is used in a broad range of applications for transportation, packaging, electrical materials, medicine, construction and other sectors. Aluminium is light, strong, flexible, non corrosive and infinitely recyclable. When compared to most other metals, less energy is required to manufacture and transport products made from aluminium. Recycling aluminium uses only five per cent of the energy needed to produce primary metal, reducing total greenhouse gas emissions.

Operations in: North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Middle East
Products: bauxite, alumina, speciality aluminas and aluminium

Copper

Copper is found in nearly every home and vehicle, and in parts and appliances used in numerous aspects of infrastructure and technology. It blends easily with other metals to form useful alloys such as brass and bronze. It does not rust, and is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat. Copper is useful in a broad range of building, construction and electrical applications. Wiring and plumbing are the largest markets for copper. In air conditioning and refrigeration, copper acts as a heat exchanger. It's also an important material architecturally and used in roofing sheeting.

Operations in: North America, South America, Africa, Australia and Asia
Products: copper, gold, molybdenum and silver

Diamonds

Rio Tinto produces diamonds in a range of colours, including white, champagne and pink. We also operate a standalone pink diamond business to sell and market loose polished pink diamonds. Some of our diamonds are cut and polished and destined for the fine jewellery market. Others are retained for cutting and polishing, and sold to an international customer base.

Minerals

Rio Tinto's minerals are essential ingredients used in renewable energy production, insulation and lighter, more fuel efficient cars and in producing glass and paint. They might be used to raise crop yields, trap heat, absorb neutrons, improve flame resistance, strengthen building materials, make industrial processes cleaner and can be found in diverse other applications.

Operations in North America, South America, Australia and Asia, Europe and Africa
Products: diamonds, borates, titanium dioxide feedstocks, talc, high purity iron, metal powders, zircon and rutile

Energy

Rio Tinto produces coal and uranium for use as sources of energy. We produce two types of coal - thermal (steam) coal and coking coal. Thermal coal is primarily used to generate electricity in power stations. We produce low sulphur coal, which helps our customers lower their sulphur dioxide emissions. Coking coal is also known as metallurgical coal mainly used in making steel. Uranium is one of the most powerful natural sources of energy. Ore is extracted and treated to produce uranium oxide powder which is supplied to customers to become nuclear fuel for power generation.

Operations in: North America, Africa and Australia
Products: thermal coal, coking coal and uranium

Iron ore

Iron is the most useful metal in the world. Cast iron is partly refined iron containing up to five per cent carbon and is ideal for moulded parts like car engine blocks. Wrought iron is nearly pure iron mixed with a glass-like material. It is used in outdoor furniture, railings and other decorations. Steel is the most common form of iron, containing about one per cent carbon. It has thousands of uses. Stainless steel contains chromium and is ideal for vehicle parts, hospital equipment and cooking utensils. Tool steel is extremely hard, heat treated steel that is used in metalworking tools.

Operations in: Australia and North America
Products: iron ore and salt

Exploration

At the end of 2009, the Exploration group was actively exploring in 17 countries, and assessing opportunities in a further 19 for a broad range of commodities including bauxite, copper, coking coal, diamonds, iron ore, nickel and uranium.

Technology & Innovation

T&I's technology Centres have responsibility for different areas of mine technology, including mining, asset management and strategic production planning. T&I also pursues innovations that will give Rio Tinto further competitive advantage as it develops the orebodies of the future. T&I's offices are in Australia, Canada, the US and UK.

Mine For

alumina, bauxite, copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, diamonds, borates, titanium, talc, high purity iron, metal powders, zircon, rutile, coal, uranium, iron ore

Location of operation(s)

North America, South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia

Address

Level 33 , 120 Collins Street
MELBOURNE, VIC, AUSTRALIA

Phone

(03) 9283 3333

Email

Website

http://www.riotinto.com

Last Updated

10/02/2011