Rio Tinto spends record A$10 billion with suppliers in Western Australia in 2024

PERTH, Australia -- Rio Tinto boosted spending with suppliers in Western Australian by A$1.5 billion to a record A$10.3 billion in 2024, as it continues to support local businesses and develop its pipeline of new Pilbara mining projects. 

The increase was largely due to investment in heavy mining machinery and earthworks for the US$2 billion Western Range mine, which is scheduled to open this half.

Rio Tinto continues to progress a tranche of new mining projects, including the US$1.8 billion Brockman Syncline 1 project approved this month, to sustain its production and ensure continued support for Western Australian businesses for decades to come.

Spending with Indigenous-owned businesses in Western Australia reached a record A$769 million in 2024, a 30 per cent increase on 2023. 

Rio Tinto also contributed A$969 million to Pilbara businesses, with about 60 per cent of this spent with Indigenous businesses in the region. More than A$529 million of this was spent with Traditional Owner businesses.

Rio Tinto continues to work with about 2,400 suppliers in Western Australia each year as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support jobs and deliver value for the state. It has more than doubled its annual spend with suppliers in WA since 2018.

Last night Rio Tinto held its third Supplier Recognition Awards to acknowledge and celebrate its valued suppliers for their outstanding performance and the contribution they make to the company, local communities and the WA economy.   

Any supplier or business that has worked for Rio Tinto across the state in 2024 is eligible for outstanding performance and leadership awards across six categories, including the WA Supplier of the Year and the Chief Executive Award. About 200 supplier nominations were received, with 18 finalists selected. 

Premier Roger Cook presented Winyama Contracting Group the WA Supplier of the Year award, while Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott presented the Chief Executive Award to Wabtec. 

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott said: “Rio Tinto has been in Western Australia for almost 60 years, and we remain committed to sharing our success with the communities where we operate.

“We’re proud to partner with local businesses to create jobs and strengthen regional communities, ensuring benefits flow to everyone, be it the corner coffee shop owner, local manufacturers or the football team thriving with community sponsorship.

“Congratulations and thank you to all our finalists and winners who make an enormous contribution to our business and the Western Australian community.”

In congratulating the winners and finalists for their work and contribution to WA, Premier Roger Cook said: “Local businesses are the backbone of Western Australia’s regional economies, and it’s great to see Rio Tinto investing in and supporting so many of them, including Indigenous businesses in the Pilbara.

“I’d like to congratulate those suppliers that have been recognised by Rio Tinto for the contribution they have made, including through engaging with communities and investing in local workforces.”

Business that shows alignment with Rio Tinto’s core values and demonstrates how they place people at the heart of their business, through a commitment to building safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces and culture.

 

Business that demonstrates a commitment to investing in the local workforce in the regions where we operate in WA and has made a positive impact on the wellbeing and value of the community.

Business that demonstrates leading safety performance on a WA site and contributes to making a safer site, beyond their own scope of work.

Business that contributes to a reduction in emissions across operations and supports us to achieve our ESG objectives year on year. This includes sustainable initiatives, products or services that positively impact, contribute to, or encourage conservation, reduction, re-use and recycling.

Business that goes above and beyond to tackle obstacles and deliver results safely, enhancing productivity for Rio Tinto and demonstrates leading industry practice and performance.

Business that shows use of an innovative solution to overcome a challenge or obstacle which has been beneficial to our WA operations, has demonstrated market leadership through leveraging new technologies and services that drive tangible business value for our operations.

Recognising strong performance across multiple categories for West Australian business.

A business that has delivered excellent outcomes to Rio Tinto across all areas of value and has significantly changed our operational, social, and environmental performance.

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Category: General