Rio Tinto increases Aboriginal employment from Kimberley

Rio Tinto has started a fly-in, fly-out service from Derby to its Pilbara iron ore operations, boosting options for Aboriginal employment in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

The first flight left Derby today with seven new starters who will work a two week on, one week off roster at Australia's biggest iron ore mine, Yandicoogina.

They join 830 Aboriginal people currently employed across Rio Tinto's Western Australian iron ore operations. About 20 per cent of Aboriginal employees choose to fly directly from regional communities such as Meekatharra, Nullagine, Carnarvon and Broome to the mines.

Rio Tinto's managing director of Pilbara Mining Operations Greg Lilleyman said the Broome commute started with five employees in 2007 and now provides jobs for a hundred Aboriginal people from Broome and surrounding communities.

"We have the same hopes for Derby because we believe there is a substantial amount of previously inaccessible Aboriginal labour in the West Kimberley communities," Mr Lilleyman said.

"As our mines expand, we need to recruit many more workers and we are committed to employ as many Aboriginal people as possible. Initiatives like regional FIFO, community-based training programs and onsite mentoring help to recruit and retain Aboriginal people from the Pilbara and around Western Australia."

Skippers Aviation will operate the service for Rio Tinto.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

Rio Tinto increases Aboriginal employment from Kimberley [PDF: 20 KB]