Rio Tinto PLC Rio Tinto update on COVID-19 (2970H)
March 24 2020 - 3:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMRIO
RNS Number : 2970H
Rio Tinto PLC
24 March 2020
Rio Tinto update on COVID-19
24 March 2020
Today, as a result of separate actions by the Premier of Quebec
and the President of South Africa to contain the spread of
COVID-19, Rio Tinto will slow down some of its operations.
At Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa Rio Tinto will
curtail production in compliance with a directive from the
Government aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19. As a result,
all mining operations at RBM will be halted by midnight on
Thursday, 26 March, for 21 days.
In line with the President's directive, Rio Tinto will make
arrangements for the furnaces to be put on care and maintenance in
order to avoid damage to their continuous operations. At this time,
it is too early to speculate on when operations will resume or on
2020 production guidance. Resumption of the construction of the
Zulti South project will be delayed.
In Canada, because of the threat of COVID-19, the Premier of
Quebec has announced the closure of all non-essential businesses
from midnight on 24 March 2020 to 13 April. Rio Tinto understands
that the Quebec government has designated industrial complexes
including the aluminium sector and the mining industry as essential
industries but instructed that they must reduce their business
activity to the minimum. We will work with the government to comply
with its directive in relation to our Quebec operations. Any
impacts to operations or production guidance will be reported to
the market in due course.
Rio Tinto chief executive officer J-S Jacques said "The health
and safety of our people is Rio Tinto's key priority and we are
supportive of the action being taken by various governments to
address the threat of COVID-19. We will continue to work with our
employees, customers, communities and suppliers to minimise any
impact of action being taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19."
Contacts
media.enquiries@riotinto.com
riotinto.com
Follow @RioTinto on Twitter
Media Relations, United Kingdom Media Relations, Australia
Illtud Harri Jonathan Rose
M +44 7920 503 600 T +61 3 9283 3088
M +61 447 028 913
David Outhwaite
T +44 20 7781 1623 Matt Chambers
M +44 7787 597 493 T +61 3 9283 3087
M +61 433 525 739
Media Relations, Americas
Matthew Klar Jesse Riseborough
T +1 514 608 4429 T +61 8 6211 6013
M +61 436 653 412
Media Relations, Asia
Grant Donald
T +65 6679 9290
M +65 9722 6028
===================================== ================================
Investor Relations, United Kingdom Investor Relations, Australia
Menno Sanderse Natalie Worley
T: +44 20 7781 1517 T +61 3 9283 3063
M: +44 7825 195 178 M +61 409 210 462
David Ovington Amar Jambaa
T +44 20 7781 2051 T +61 3 9283 3627
M +44 7920 010 978 M +61 472 865 948
===================================== ================================
Group Company Secretary Joint Company Secretary
Steve Allen Tim Paine
Rio Tinto plc Rio Tinto Limited
6 St James's Square Level 7, 360 Collins Street
London SW1Y 4AD Melbourne 3000
United Kingdom Australia
T +44 20 7781 2000 T +61 3 9283 3333
Registered in England Registered in Australia
No. 719885 ABN 96 004 458 404
--------------------------------
This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Rio
Tinto's Group Company Secretary.
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END
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