19 May 2008
Rio Tinto Coal Australia reports on its contribution to sustainable development
No significant environmental incidents, an 11 per cent improvement in safety and energy savings across the business were just some of the highlights of Rio Tinto Coal Australia's business results and contribution to sustainable development in 2007.
Managing Director Hubie van Dalsen said that while 2007 did have its challenges, the progress of key projects affirmed the company's commitment to providing positive benefits for the local communities surrounding its operations.
In addition to meeting statutory requirements, Mr Dalsen said Rio Tinto Coal Australia sets voluntary stretch targets to encourage continuous improvement in all business activities.
It is the sixth year that Rio Tinto Coal Australia has voluntarily reported on its contribution to sustainable development. Full details, targets and results for both RTCA and its sites are available online at http://www.riotintocoalaustralia.com.au/.
A highlights document is also being mailed to key stakeholders in the local communities surrounding Rio Tinto Coal Australia's operations.
Managing Director Hubie van Dalsen said sustainable development considerations are integrated into all facets of Rio Tinto Coal Australia's business, from high level business planning through to every day tasks. "Sustainable development is not a 'here today, gone tomorrow' phenomenon - it is part of the way we work," Mr van Dalsen said.
"We believe our contribution will be maximised if it is integrated into everything we do, from high level business planning through to everyday tasks. It is also something we cannot achieve on our own. We need to work with local communities, governments, customers, employees, suppliers and our partners to achieve social, environmental and economic outcomes for all. "As is to be expected, in 2007 Rio Tinto Coal Australia reported no significant environmental incidents.
"Our safety performance also improved by 11 per cent compared with 2006, however we are continuing to work towards our goal of zero injuries.
"Our five community development funds continued to support programmes aimed at building capacity within communities, including Aboriginal communities."
Rio Tinto Coal Australia Climate change champion Fiona Nicholls said that details on the roll out of the company's climate change action plan are also available online.
"In 2007, we continued the roll-out of its climate change action plan, aimed at addressing the challenges of climate change through four key areas: clean coal, energy management, risk management, and raising awareness," Ms Nicholls said.
"Through our energy management programmes we avoided emissions of 15,500 tonnes of CO2 equivalents during 2007.
"Additionally, last year Coal & Allied began investigating the viability of a coal bed methane development project at Mount Thorley Warkworth. If the results are favourable, four wells will be drilled at the site for testing and evaluation during 2008."
Rio Tinto Coal Australia develops and manages high quality coal operations in Australia. In Queensland, Rio Tinto Coal Australia manages the Blair Athol, Hail Creek, Kestrel and Clermont Mines.