Company Investment

Coal mining is a highly competitive industry and requires a significant investment to develop its vital resource. Rio Tinto Energy America (RTEA) annually invests in reserves, labor, facilities, equipment and maintenance, and/or operating supplies. This investment has a direct payback for local communities through company and employee purchases, and the sales, property and severance taxes paid by the company.

Rio Tinto Energy America makes significant tax and royalty payments to federal, state and local governments. These funds help finance government services and provide public services, such as education, law enforcement, fire protection and health and social services, and infrastructure such as roads, airports and sewage systems.

Rio Tinto Energy America has a long term commitment to the industry and continually invests in its mining operations. To meet the nation's energy demands, RTEA is faced with a constant need to replace coal resources once they are mined and transformed into energy. The leases and permits required to develop a new tract of coal, even at established operations, require approximately seven years and an investment of millions of dollars and thousands of hours of research, planning and review.

In addition to exploring new coal reserves, Rio Tinto Energy America’s investments include acquisitions and improvements to existing facilities, equipment and skills.  RTEA personnel depend on this investment for their livelihoods, and assets are protected through scheduled, routine maintenance and continual equipment upgrades. Every opportunity to improve performance is considered, and every economic alternative is pursued – often through employee recommendations developed by RTEA’s Business Improvement Process.