Non-mining land

The land we use for mining is only a proportion of the land we own and manage.  Non-mining land may be leased to third parties or actively managed for other uses, such as agriculture, by Rio Tinto Coal Australia.  Regardless of how it is used, Rio Tinto Coal Australia recognises the need for sustainable stewardship of non-mining land.

Non-mining land is managed in accordance with the Rio Tinto Land-Use Stewardship standard.

The standard requires a land-use management plan to be prepared that promotes an integrated and sustainable approach to land management, and addresses:

• Issues of biodiversity conservation
• Environmental offsets
• Interactions with adjoining land, including communities
• Legacy and protection of socio-cultural and natural heritage features.

For an example of the way in which non-mining land is being use, read our Coal & Allied commercial forest trial feature.

In addition, Rio Tinto Coal Australia has detailed procedures for managing non-mining land.  These aim to ensure that:

• Employees, contractors and consultants are aware of land ownership tenure, occupation status, social and environmental sensitivities and their responsibilities, for example to leave gates as they found them and report any damage, before accessing non-mining land
• Any Rio Tinto Coal Australia land and property occupied and used by third parties meets statutory and company requirements.