Sustainable Development

As part of the Rio Tinto Group, Rio Tinto Energy America (RTEA) is committed to sustainable development. RTEA continually strives to maintain a balance between the safe, responsible development of mineral resources, meeting the nation’s growing energy needs, and building long lasting relationships with our local communities. Sustainable development is defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.”

Rio Tinto Energy America incorporates sustainable development into everyday business by balancing economic, social, environmental and good management practices. Our sustainable development principles are based on an understanding that we are part of an ever-growing global and local community, and that environmental health and economic stability are mutually dependent, not mutually exclusive. RTEA’s ability to care for the environment requires a healthy economy. A healthy environment is needed to get the resources required to maintain a healthy society. A healthy environment and healthy economy are key components to ensuring vibrant local communities.

By focusing on people, the environment, resource stewardship and management systems, Rio Tinto Energy America can attract the best employees, gain access to new markets and resources, and deliver a better product to our customers. Coal should be part of a balanced economic approach to meeting energy needs, and as such needs to be a product whose long term viability enables confident investors.