June 2009

From the managing director - June 2009

Welcome to the June edition of Mine Matters, which we have themed as a special safety edition.

This year all of our operations are being asked to take extra steps to improve safety performance. We have not had the best start to the year in safety, so we need to act quickly to improve our behaviour and communication of safety goals, achievements and results, so that we continue to develop the safety culture that Rio Tinto expects. As at the end of April, our all injury frequency rate was 0.89 injuries per 200,000 hours worked, compared to the 2008 level of 0.76 injuries. We must continue to make safety a focus and work towards our goal of zero injuries.

This year we have asked the operations to increase their reporting of significant potential incidents. These are incidents that could cause a fatality but in this case have resulted in a minor injury or no injury at all. The fact remains, though, that these incidents are happening across our sites on a regular basis. It’s vital that we take action to eliminate future similar situations. It’s about avoiding the ‘next time’ – when a repeat incident might well result in a serious injury.

Our contractor employees are also being asked to work with us and collaborate on ways to help improve our safety levels. However, the buck stops with all of us. We must all work together to improve safety performance. In April I held meetings with the principals and senior management of the contracting firms that we engage, to seek their input in helping us achieve this goal. You can read more about these meetings on the front page of Mine Matters June.

Safety is a core value for Rio Tinto Coal Australia. I often say that where you find good safety performance in a business, you will also find good financial and production performance, as well as a strongly aligned and supportive business culture.

At the end of June we will reach the half way mark in what is proving to be one of the most interesting years to date in the mining industry. 2009 continues to bring many challenges and distractions for all of us. However, I encourage you to stay focussed on your work; look out for your colleagues; and help make 2009 a very good year for Rio Tinto Coal Australia’s safety performance.