News in brief

First steps for Clermont shovel

A brand new shovel took its first steps at Clermont Mine in June.

The P&H 4100 X PC shovel, which has been in construction for the past two and a half months, will be a major piece of equipment at the open cut mine.

Once commissioning and testing is complete, the shovel will be used to train operators before commencing overburden removal and loading the Komatsu 930E haul trucks.

Pictured: Clermont Mine's brand new shovel.

RTCA drives support

Rio Tinto Coal Australia is among the driving forces behind a new programme to help keep young Central Highlands drivers safe on the road.

We contributed $100,000 to the Mining Industry Road Safety Alliance in 2005, which continues to support initiatives in the Bowen Basin region such as the BRAKE programme.

BRAKE stands for Behaviour, Risk, Attitude, Knowledge and Education - the topics that will be covered in an interactive presentation for senior school students.

Pictured: The Mining Industry Road Safety Alliance officially launched BRAKE - an innovative young driver road safety programme (photo contributed).

Emerald expo is pedal powered

Energy efficiency was the focus of a Rio Tinto Coal Australia stall at the Central Highlands' Resources Expo recently.

Students pedalled an exercise bike to see how much energy is required to power various pieces of equipment and compare energy requirements of traditional light bulbs to energy efficient light bulbs.

The exercise bike is just one component of an interactive display developed by the climate change team to help boost public awareness of climate change.

Pictured: Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Mick Davis shows students how to pedal the exercise bike at the expo.

Calling all birdwatching enthusiasts

BirdLife International, sponsored for the past nine years by Rio Tinto, provides an opportunity to Rio Tinto Coal Australia employees to organise or participate in local birdwatching events.

Around the world, previous events have involved Rio Tinto employees, their families and friends meeting to record local bird species and discover new information about birds, their populations and their habitats.

Please contact jack.tordoff@birdlife.org for more information.