We’re on a mission to become the world’s most valued metals and mining business – for the people who invest in us, the people we work and partner with, and the communities around us
Our business
We operate in 35 countries where our 60,000+ employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs
Our purpose in action
Continuous improvement and innovation are part of our DNA
Innovation
The need for innovation is greater than ever
All progress begins with pioneers. At Rio Tinto, it begins with you.
We supply the metals and minerals used to help the world grow and decarbonise
Iron Ore
The primary raw material used to make steel, which is strong, long-lasting and cost-efficient
Lithium
The lightest of all metals, it is a key element needed for low-carbon technologies
Copper
Tough but malleable, corrosion-resistant and recyclable, and an excellent conductor of heat and transmitter of electricity
Bringing to market materials critical to urbanisation and the transition to a low-carbon economy
Oyu Tolgoi
One of the most modern, safe and sustainable operations in the world
Simandou Project
The world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit
Western Australia
While iron ore is central to our operations in WA, we have a diverse presence across the state, from salt, lithium, our diamond legacy and our promising copper-gold project
Providing materials the world needs in a responsible way
Climate Change
We’re targeting net zero emissions by 2050
Nature solutions
Our nature-based solutions projects complement the work we're doing to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions
Enabling ESG transparency
Our START™ initiative tracks traceability and responsible production of Rio Tinto materials.
We aim to deliver superior returns to our shareholders while safeguarding the environment and meeting our obligations to wider society
Bank of America Global Metals Mining Steel Conference 2026
Miami, 12 May 2026
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Things You Can't Live Without
Our podcast discussing what needs to happen to create a sustainable future for the everyday items we have come to rely on
Closing the aluminium loop
How we keep aluminium in use
Supporting the circular economy
We work and partner to keep resources in use for a more circular future
Discover more about life at Rio Tinto
Graduates and interns
If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it
In-house consulting
Discover how our in-house consultancy team, PACE, offers a unique opportunity to help shape Rio Tinto from the inside
Available jobs
Join our team
We recognise that our operations have an inherent impact on nature, both directly and indirectly, and we’re committed to contributing to the global shift toward a nature positive future.
Achieving our mission to be the most valued metals and mining business relies on the responsible stewardship of shared natural resources. Through improved decision-making, collaboration, and transparency, we aim to minimise our impacts on nature and society.
Our pathway for progressing our nature and environment objectives is a key pillar of our refreshed sustainability framework. In January 2024, we shared our support for the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Nature Position Statement, to align industry action on nature.
What does being nature positive mean? At its most fundamental level, nature positive means systemically halting and reversing human-induced damage to natural ecosystems so that the natural world moves into a state of recovery.
Business decisions guided by sustainability principals are imperative to creating long-term value and maintaining our social license.
Our Executive Committee and Board of Directors have overall responsibility and oversight of environmental management through our Sustainability and Risk Management Committees. This includes our principal risk for environment, as well as oversight of environment and nature policy, strategy, standards, systems, risk, assurance, performance, material compliance matters and associated learnings. We report on environmental performance annually through the Annual Report and the Sustainability Fact Book.
Our policies, standards and Code of Conduct outline minimum expectations for our managed operations across the globe, and also speak to how our stewardship principles apply to suppliers and joint venture partners. The intent of our standards is to prevent, or otherwise minimise, mitigate and remediate the effects that our business’ operations have on the environment and communities. Where appropriate, the business implements commodity-specific standards - such as the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, the Copper Mark and other industry standards such as Towards Sustainable Mining.
We take a long-term view of our responsibilities, managing the risks and impacts of our activities from exploration and project inception through closure and beyond. As temporary stewards of natural resources, we recognise the trust placed in us. We manage air, biodiversity, land, and water with care, along with the material inputs and outputs of our operations and their full lifecycle footprint. Our aim is to operate responsibly while supporting resilient ecosystems and sustainable communities.
At an operational level, we focus on feedback loop governance through standardised forums, allowing for real-time adjustments based on operational insights, stakeholder input, and regulatory changes. Nature and the environment are valued by First Nations and Land-Connected Peoples, local communities and other stakeholders. The Nature pillar of our refreshed sustainability framework articulates the interconnectedness of environment and communities in protecting and restoring shared ecosystems and progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Our Communities and Social Performance (CSP) standard requires our assets to have an appropriate and accessible operational-level complaints mechanism to manage community complaints, including concerns related to the environment.
Our commitment to the ICMM Nature Position Statement and Water Stewardship Framework & Reporting Good Practice Guide drives action, and encourages collaboration, transparency and accountability to support the delivery of beneficial environmental, social and economic outcomes.
As part of our role as a reliable and respectful partner, and to continue delivering long-term value to local economies, natural environments and shareholders, we strive to maintain compliance with local environment regulations, permits, licenses and agreements. Our license to operate depends on ensuring that we are meeting or exceeding the relevant regulatory requirements of our host countries and responding accordingly to any identified non-compliances across our managed operations. Monitoring and managing our activities in line with regulatory expectations protects our future pipeline of approvals so that we can grow our business sustainably.
In January 2024, we shared our support for the ICMM’s Nature Position Statement. This position sets out ICMM members’ approach to contributing to a nature-positive future, guided by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and it’s associated 2030 targets. ICMM’s existing commitments are in line with the United Nation’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). As a member of ICMM and signatory of the Nature Position Statement, we’re committed to contributing to a nature positive future. This includes the following clear commitments:
We take a systematic, adaptable approach to managing environment and nature risks, ensuring our operations remain resilient and responsible in a changing world.
We manage environment risks in accordance with our company standards, applicable local regulations and guidelines, as well as relevant community commitments. Our risk culture is embedded through our risk management framework and aligns with our Code of Conduct. In 2025, we updated our principal environment risk - Managing our impact to the environment (water, biodiversity and nature) - considering the most up to date threats and opportunities associated with material environment risks across our Global portfolio.
Environment risks aligned with our standards have matured through our Integrated Risk Management program, including performance specifications for our global operations. These risks are managed at the asset level using an enterprise risk management system. They are regularly reviewed and have structured first, 2nd, and 3rd-line assurance activities, and escalation occurring based on control effectiveness, risk trend and materiality. We have a library of management controls for each environment discipline – water, air, biodiversity, land, mineral waste and non-mineral waste - that are used to promote consistent operational risk management and assurance by our frontline asset teams and to support second-line functions. The controls guide and organise how we plan, design, monitor, and adaptively manage risks.
Transparency encourages accountability – ours and others’ – and allows us to have fact-based conversations about the issues at hand.
Historical mining and development practices did not always fully integrate environmental stewardship or community considerations. We now apply the mitigation hierarchy and engage with stakeholders and rightsholders to identify and avoid or minimise impacts to areas with high environmental or cultural values. Our environmental research and studies often contribute to enhancing the knowledge base and understanding of species, habitats and ecosystems, particularly in remote areas adjacent to our operations.
During operations, environmental monitoring and management programs address our regulatory compliance requirements and our performance standards. When it comes to closing an operation, we undertake studies to determine the best approach for restoration through engagement with relevant parties to understand desired outcomes and end use of the land.
We recognise the responsibility we are entrusted with as stewards of the shared natural resources critical to our operations, as well as to surrounding communities, Indigenous Peoples, suppliers and customers. We also acknowledge that we cannot do this alone; we rely on partnerships and contractors to help us improve and identify innovative solutions that enhance our environmental performance across air, biodiversity, land and water as well as the material inputs and outputs of our managed operations and their end-to-end footprint.
Our nature target program is one of the ways in which we aim to contribute to a nature positive future. The program acknowledges the interconnectedness of the 3 natural realms – air, land, water - and their ties to biodiversity, climate, materials and society. Building on our industry-recognised water targets program (2019–2023), the nature targets program includes a set of locally focused, Site Improvement Plans (SIPs). The program seeks to enhance the transparency of our nature risks, challenges and performance.
Nature and its associated interactions and dependencies are often unique and complex. SIPs are examples of how we aim to drive change at our operations in consideration of local context. These projects have been selected based on risk profile, performance and external commitments. Progress on SIPs will be reported annually.
Oyu Tolgoi (OT) will complete the following biodiversity related improvement projects by 2030, in alignment with the ‘Caring for our Planet’ priority of OT’s Long-term Strategy:
Our Iron Ore (Pilbara) business will complete:
Sustainability reporting