Rio Tinto in Australia - PageSuite

CopperGlobally, Rio Tinto produces about 800,000 tonnes of copper eachyear, ranking it among the world’s top five producers.4370hectares ofland used forsustainablefarming trials600+employees atNorthparkes116,056tonnes copper/gold concentrateproduced fromNorthparkesin 2010Copper drives energy efficiencyand lowers carbon emissions;we passionately advocate thesustainable production and useof copper for the health of theplanet. Our Australian copper mine,Northparkes, is in central-westNew South Wales.NorthparkesMining began at Northparkes in1994, and today our mines and oreprocessing plant employ more than600 people, making us one of theregion’s largest employers.We produce high-grade, copper-goldconcentrates, which are shipped tosmelters in Japan, China and India.Northparkes was the first minein Australia to use the highlyefficient, block-cave miningmethod, which relies on gravityand natural rock stresses tofragment and recover the ore.We also undertake a rangeof innovative, sustainableland farming trials on the4370 hectares we own around themining operation and share theresults with neighbouring farms.We are involved in extensivelyrevegetating the area andare currently establishinga series of interconnectingwildlife corridors.A mine/mill expansion isnow on the agenda, since theapproval of a A$90 millionpre-feasibility study in 2010.The study, which will thoroughlyconsult the community, providesa major opportunity to grow ourcopper business.Breaking new groundNorthparkes tunnel boring trial toaccelerate excavationRio Tinto is developing new shaftand tunnel boring systems that willreduce underground excavationtimes by up to 40 per cent. We willtrial the new boring systems at ourNorthparkes copper and gold mine.This is the first trial of thistechnology anywhere in the worldand it will be conducted 600metres vertically underground,providing access to a 1.5km longore body.The new technology will improvesafety for employees working onour underground development,removing the need for explosivesand noxious fumes.Copper is 100%recyclable and nearly80% of the copperthat has been producedis still in use today.7