Rio Tinto and GE combine ‘Mine of the FutureT’ and ‘ecomagination’ strategic initiatives
Rio Tinto and General Electric today announced that they are working together on two key strategic technology projects, Rio Tinto’s ‘Mine of the FutureT’ and GE’s ‘Ecomagination'”, to develop the most energy efficient and ecologically friendly solutions to support the future of mining.
Combining GE’s expertise in environmental technologies with Rio Tinto’s deep mining knowledge creates a world-class platform to help forge the solutions required for the future of mining and in doing so should deliver significant value to all stakeholders. GE and Rio Tinto’s technology teams will work together to identify areas where the development and introduction of GE’s products and services will address the challenges of the future of mining.
Rio Tinto’s chief executive Tom Albanese launched his vision for the ‘mine of the future’ earlier this year, revealing plans for driverless trains to carry iron ore on most of the 1,300 kilometres of track in Western Australia, a driverless ‘intelligent’ truck fleet for Rio Tinto’s mines there and a Remote Operations Centre for the Pilbara mine operations 1,300 kilometres away at a new centre in Perth.
Today’s announcement builds on this to accelerate development of a comprehensive package of future technologies for mining, working with world leaders in technology.
Tom Albanese said: “Rio Tinto and General Electric share the same values with respect to energy conservation and care for the environment. GE is a world leader in environmental technologies and our largest provider of surface systems for mining.”
“They are at the forefront of innovative technology illustrated by their leadership in hybrid technologies for locomotives and off-highway trucks and are perfect partners for Rio Tinto as we lead the charge to develop the next generation of mining technologies, creating a more efficient and sustainable mining industry.”
John Rice, President and CEO of GE’s Technology Infrastructure businesses said, “I am delighted that GE is working closely with Rio Tinto to help solve the mining sector challenges of providing the world with resources, which are in great demand, and at the same time using technology that not only improves efficiencies but also reduces the impact on the environment.” start’text’here’copy’from’notepad]
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Rio Tinto’s business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified technology, media and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming, and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.ge.com.
GE’s ecomagination report is available at www.ecomagination.com/report, where readers are encouraged to download and read the electronic edition. Comments are welcomed at comments@ecomagination.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto’s financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto’s products, production forecasts and reserve and resource positions), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rio Tinto, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Rio Tinto’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which Rio Tinto will operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause Rio Tinto’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, levels of actual production during any period, levels of demand and market prices, the ability to produce and transport products profitably, the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on market prices and operating costs, operational problems, political uncertainty and economic conditions in relevant areas of the world, the actions of competitors, activities by governmental authorities such as changes in taxation or regulation and such other risk factors identified in Rio Tinto’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or Form 6-Ks furnished to the SEC. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be construed in light of such risk factors and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Takeover Code”), the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Rio Tinto’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that future earnings per share of Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited will necessarily match or exceed its historical published earnings per share.
Subject to the requirements of the Takeover Code, none of Rio Tinto, any of its officers or any person named in this announcement with their consent or any person involved in the preparation of this announcement makes any representation or warranty (either express or implied) or gives any assurance that the implied values, anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in forward-looking statements contained in this announcement will be achieved.
Contacts:
Media Relations London
Christina Mills
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154
Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605
Nick Cobban
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003
Media Relations, US
Nancy Ives
Mobile: +1 619 540 3751
Media Relations, Australia
Ian Head
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101
Amanda Buckley
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349
Investor Relations, London
Nigel Jones
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2049
Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 227 365
David Ovington
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978
Investor Relations, North America
Jason Combes
Office: +1 (0) 801 685 4535
Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645
Investor Relations, Australia
Dave Skinner
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628
Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309
Simon Ellinor
Office:+ 61 (0) 7 3867 1067
GE Media Relations
Karen Donaldson,
Vice President Sustainability and Corporate Communications:
+61 (0) 3 9921 6857
Further information:
Email: questions@riotinto.com
Website: www.riotinto.com
High resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk
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