REG - Rio Tinto - Rio Tinto curtails operations at RBM

Rio TintoAnnouncement

04/12/2019 07:05

RNS Number : 5693V
Rio Tinto PLC
04 December 2019
 


Rio Tinto to curtail operations at Richards Bay Minerals
 
04 December 2019
 
Rio Tinto has decided to curtail operations at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa to ensure the safety and security of its employees due to an escalation in violence in the communities surrounding the operations.
 
There has been an escalation of criminal activity towards RBM employees and one was shot and seriously injured in the last few days. As a result, all mining operations at RBM have been halted and the smelters are operating at a reduced level, with a minimum number of employees now on site. Construction of the Zulti South project has also been temporarily paused.
 
Bold Baatar, chief executive, Energy & Minerals said "The safety of our people is Rio Tinto's key priority and we have taken decisive action to stop operations to reduce the risk of serious harm to our team members.
 
"We are in discussions with the local communities, regional and national governments, and the police in order to find a way to address the safety and security issues. Our goal is to return RBM to normal operations in a safe and sustainable way. We would like to acknowledge and thank the police and authorities for their support."
 
Rio Tinto will contact customers to discuss how to minimise any potential disruptions. Titanium dioxide slag production for 2019 is now expected to be at the bottom end of 2019 guidance of between 1.2 and 1.4 million tonnes.
 
 
 
 
 
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This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Rio Tinto's Group Company Secretary.



 
Group Company Secretary
Steve Allen
Rio Tinto plc
6 St James's Square
London SW1Y 4AD
United Kingdom
T +44 20 7781 2000
Registered in England
No. 719885


 
Joint Company Secretary
Tim Paine
Rio Tinto Limited
Level 7, 360 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Australia
T +61 3 9283 3333
Registered in Australia
ABN 96 004 458 404



 




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