A major mineral company managed to increase production without killing any workers.
Rio Tinto confirmed its Pilbara operations lifted iron ore production 2 per cent to 331.5 million tonnes (Mt) in 2023 compared to the previous year. Not a single employee death was reported.
“[We] improved productivity, supported by ongoing implementation of the safe production system and the ramp up of Gudai-Darri to its nameplate capacity of 43Mt per annum, within 12 months of commissioning, more than offset mine depletion,” Rio said in its latest quarterly production results report.
“We achieved our fifth consecutive year with no fatalities at our managed operations but we maintain a state of chronic unease as safety incidents continued to occur at our sites, including two permanent disabling injuries in 2023. We are applying learnings from these to enhance processes across our operations.”
The proponent revealed it has already implemented a strategy for improving worker safety, health and wellbeing at most of its mines.
“We are now deploying our safe production system at about 60 per cent of our sites, with implementation at various stages of maturity. Key performance highlights include a 20 per cent yearly improvement in all injury frequency rates globally where the safe production system has been deployed, as well as a 5Mt uplift in iron ore production,” the report said.
“With eight safe production system deployment sites having achieved their best ever demonstrated production in recent months, we are well positioned to deliver our 2024 priorities including a further 5Mt uplift at our Pilbara operations.”
Shipments jumped 3 per cent to 331.8Mt in 2023 compared to the previous year.
