Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leader in finding, mining and processing the earth's mineral resources.  The Group's worldwide operations supply essential minerals and metals that help to meet global needs and contribute to improvements in living standards.

Rio Tinto encourages strong local identities and has a devolved management philosophy, entrusting responsibility with accountability to the workplace.

In order to deliver superior returns to shareholders over time, Rio Tinto takes a long term and responsible approach to its business.  Rio Tinto concentrates on the development of first class ore bodies into large, long life and efficient operations, capable of sustaining competitive advantage through business cycles.

Major prouct include aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy products (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt and talc) and iron ore.  The Group's activites span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

Wherever Rio Tinto operates, health and safety is the first priority.  Rio Tinto seeks to contribute to sustanable development. Rio Tinto works as closely as possible with its host countries and communities, respecting laws and custom.  Rio Tinto employs local people at all levels and ensures fair and equitable transfer of benefits and enhancement of opportunities.

Ocean freight is important to Rio Tinto

Seaborne transportation is an important aspect of Rio Tinto's business.  Bulk cargoes exported from the Group's operations total nearly 245 million tonnes per annum. This represents about 10 per cent of the world's seaborne dry bulk trade.  In addition, the Group moves about 85,000 containers each year.

Rio Tinto is concerned to ensure that all shipments to its customers, whether FOB or CIF, are delivered in a safe, competitive, reliable and sustainable manner.  Rio Tinto Marine is responsible for ensuring that the risks associated with this major logistics task are understood and managed.  It exists to provide the Rio Tinto business units with a core competence in all shipping matters.

Ocean freight represents a high proportion of the delivered cost of many Rio Tinto products.  It is therefore always looking for ways to improve the efficiency of the supply chain and provide greater value for its customers through creative logistics solutions.  About 30 per cent of Rio Tinto's products are sold on a delivered basis with the freight risk being managed by Rio Tinto Marine.