Rio Tinto wins prestigious Nedbank Green Mining Awards

Rio Tinto wins prestigious Nedbank Green Mining Awards

Rio Tinto wins prestigious Nedbank Green Mining Awards

Rio Tinto’s QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) in Madagascar has won the 2009 Nedbank Environmental Award. The award was presented at a ceremony at Nedbank headquarters in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Thursday, 22 October 2009. The Environmental Award honours a company which has made a significant effort in terms of protecting or improving the biophysical environment in which it operates. QMM was recognized for its groundbreaking work and commitment to the environment and biodiversity especially its net positive impact.

Said Manon Vincelette, head of Community Affairs, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development at QMM: “We are very proud to be a recipient of this esteemed award. More importantly, we are pleased that QMM has been recognised for protecting and conserving the unique biodiversity of the mining sites and other related infrastructures and for building capacity for better use of the natural resources.”

“I share this award with our hardworking employees at Rio Tinto and QMM as an affirmation that our dedication and effort to address the issues of biodiversity and ecosystem service degradation will have long reaching and positive effects for society and present a benchmark for the mining industry.”

“Of course we have not done this alone. Active engagement with local, national and international stakeholders has been fundamental to the success of the project. We engaged extensively with aid agencies and international institutions to build capability in the areas of communities, education and health. QMM also worked with numerous specialist environmental organisations researching the region’s biodiversity.”

“An independent biodiversity advisory committee was formed in 2001 to review the biodiversity strategy and on-the-ground conservation action which consists of biodiversity experts in various fields of longstanding experience and globally renowned research credentials in Madagascar,” said Vincelette.

Rio Tinto recognises that biodiversity and ecosystem service degradation are issues of global significance that will have long reaching, negative effects for society if not addressed promptly and effectively. These issues present new challenges to the mining industry as a whole.

Noteworthy characteristics of QMM’S biodiversity programme include identifying opportunities to enhance biodiversity conservation and promote fast growing plantations for community use, biodiversity conservation, rehabilitation and dune stabilisation. It also seeks to restore the natural ecosystems and rehabilitate the land.

The adjudication of the awards was extensive and involved an interview and a site visit to QMM. Three independent and expert adjudicators in consultation with Nedbank were appointed to peruse and evaluate all submissions and the award winner selected based on the “best-in-class” principle.

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.

Contacts:

Rio Tinto Communications, Africa
Jean Chawapiwa-Pama
Tel: +27 11 911 9922
jean.chawapiwa-pama@riotinto.com“>