Rio Tinto becomes first major mining company to publish site-by-site water usage data

Rhea-AI Summary

Rio Tinto is marking World Water Day 2023 by launching an interactive map detailing annual surface water usage across its managed sites in 35 countries. This initiative aligns with Rio Tinto's commitment made in 2019 to enhance water stewardship and transparency. The new database shows permitted surface water allocations, annual usage, and historic data, with plans for future updates. Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm emphasized the importance of sustainable water management for biodiversity and local communities. This effort is in accordance with the International Council on Mining and Metals' water stewardship guidelines.

Positive

• Launch of an interactive water usage database enhances transparency and stakeholder engagement.
• Commitment to sustainable water stewardship aligns with global environmental standards.
• The database includes historical data, indicating a move towards ongoing accountability.

Negative

• None.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto is marking World Water Day 2023 by making public detailed information about annual surface water usage across its global network of managed sites in 35 countries, through an interactive map on its website riotinto.com/water.

For each managed site included, the database details permitted surface water allocation volumes, the site’s annual allocation usage and the associated catchment runoff from average annual rainfall estimate. The database includes five-year historic comparative data and will be updated annually.

In 2019 Rio Tinto made a commitment to drive good water stewardship and improve disclosure to stakeholders, by publishing site-by-site surface water usage data for all managed sites by the end of 2023.

This commitment is in line with the water reporting guidelines of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Water Stewardship Position Statement, which sets out ICMM members’ approach to water stewardship. It includes commitments requiring members to apply strong and transparent water governance, manage water at operations effectively, and collaborate to achieve responsible and sustainable water use.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said “Water is an essential resource, critical to sustaining biodiversity, people, and economic prosperity. It is also a resource we share with the communities and nature surrounding our operations, so it is essential that we carefully manage our use and hold ourselves accountable to our stakeholders.

“This interactive database brings a new level of transparency and will enable us to engage more deeply with our stakeholders, seek their feedback on our disclosure and continue to focus our efforts on becoming better water stewards for today and future generations.”

Sharing water with communities and nature surrounding operations means balancing operational needs with those of the local communities and ecosystems. Rio Tinto aims to avoid permanent impacts on water resources by carefully managing the quality and quantity of the water used and returned to the environment.

We will look to incorporate future water and broader environmental disclosures within this platform.

The interactive platform and full details of Rio Tinto’s approach to water are available at riotinto.com/water. The latest Rio Tinto sustainability disclosures are available in the 2022 Sustainability Fact Book at riotinto.com/sustainabilityreporting.

riotinto.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230321006014/en/

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com



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Category: General

Source: Rio Tinto

FAQ

What does Rio Tinto's new interactive water usage database include?

The database includes permitted surface water allocation volumes, annual usage data, and historical comparisons for managed sites across 35 countries.

How does Rio Tinto demonstrate its commitment to water stewardship?

Rio Tinto's commitment involves publishing detailed water usage data by the end of 2023, in line with the International Council on Mining and Metals' guidelines.

What is the purpose of releasing surface water usage data?

The purpose is to enhance transparency, engage stakeholders, and improve water management practices at Rio Tinto's operations.

When did Rio Tinto make its commitment to water stewardship?

Rio Tinto made its commitment to enhance water stewardship in 2019.

Where can I find more information about Rio Tinto's water management efforts?

More information can be found on Rio Tinto's dedicated water management webpage.