Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Sam Walsh today signed an memorandum of understanding with the Premier of Western Australian, Colin Barnett, and the Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls, as the first step towards a town redevelopment strategy in the Pilbara.
The MoU will lead to the formalising of a co-operative partnership between the State Government and Rio Tinto.
Mr Walsh said: Rio Tinto is committed to providing our Pilbara communities with new opportunities to have a sustainable future and to plan for the longer term
Together with the state and local governments, we will examine opportunities to plan, develop and implement a town and community development strategy for the Pilbara, with an initial focus on the revitalisation of Dampier
The Pilbara towns of Dampier, Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica were all built by Rio Tinto subsidiaries in the 1960s and 1970s.
Rio Tinto continues to have a role in providing infrastructure and services to these towns in partnership with government.
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.
Source: WEBWIRE