Rio Tinto spent A$15.3 billion towards community growth in 2022

Rio Tinto increased its expenditure budget on Australian suppliers to more than A$15.3 billion in 2022 to support communities where it operates. Rio raised its budget by almost 9 per cent than the previous year and equally distributed among more than 6,200 businesses, including Australian-owned and operated businesses and locally owned and managed branches of overseas companies. 

This kind gesture supported tens of thousands of Australian jobs and contributed to the community growth across the country.

Of the total amount spent, more than A$565 million was spent with indigenous businesses across Australia, up by 40 per cent from the earlier year.

Kellie Parker, Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia, said: “Supporting local businesses in the communities where we operate is a key priority for Rio Tinto. We strive to employ local people, buy local products and engage local services – especially from Indigenous, small and regional businesses. We are working hard to improve our approach to Indigenous business development and engagement in Australia, and while there is still more work to do, last year we significantly increased our spend with Indigenous suppliers.”

She added, “We couldn’t do what we do without our local supplier partners and having good relationships with them helps us find better ways to provide the materials the world needs and innovate to decarbonise our operations.”