9th Jul 2007 14:59
Rio Tinto PLC09 July 2007 Australia wins Rio Tinto's mining automation effort Rio Tinto is to expand its technical innovation activities, committing A$21million over five years to a new Research & Development (R&D) centre for miningautomation at The University of Sydney. The group is also basing both its newlyappointed Group scientist and Global head of Innovation in Australia. The newroles will report to Brisbane-based Grant Thorne who is Rio Tinto's Groupexecutive for Technology and Innovation. These initiatives complement Hydrogen Energy, a joint endeavour between RioTinto and BP, which is investigating a clean coal/hydrogen power project inKwinana, Western Australia. Rio Tinto's technology groups are located inBrisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Bristol (UK) and Salt Lake City (US) to support RioTinto's global mining and processing activities. In announcing the increased funding for technical innovation, Rio Tinto's chiefexecutive, Tom Albanese, said that Rio Tinto was increasing its innovationeffort to position the Group to develop ore bodies around the world. "Australia is a natural base from which to support our operations with theinnovative technical solutions they will need in the future. A common feature ofRio Tinto's technical and innovation activities is their strong linkages withAustralian academic and research institutions. This focus is a vote ofconfidence in Australia's innovation capability," Albanese said. The new R&D centre will be led by professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte and be based atThe University of Sydney's Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR). Grant Thorne said, "The Centre for Mine Automation aims to provide a substantialimprovement in safety, predictability, precision and efficiency of miningthrough the development of automation and remotely operated mining processes." The centre will support up to 30 full time staff and ten research students withfunding of A$5 million a year when fully staffed. The initial agreement for fiveyears has the potential for extension by agreement between The University ofSydney and Rio Tinto following mutually satisfactory technology and innovationoutcomes. A technical management group with representatives from Rio Tinto andthe ACFR will monitor the Centre's performance and guide its direction. Thorne said that these latest initiatives reflected Rio Tinto's long termcommitment to the pursuit of world class technology in Australia. "Our Iron Oregroup, headquartered in Perth, will be the first trial for automation of a rangeof equipment and the remote operation control of mines, processing plants andtrains. "Rio Tinto has always emphasized technical development. Now we are intensifyingour commitment to ensure we are equipped to deal effectively with the challengeslikely to face us in the next generation of mines. Australia will play a centralrole," he said. The Australian Centre for Field Robotics at The University of Sydney is one ofthe largest and most successful robotics research groups in the world. It is thelead partner in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence forAutonomous Systems, hosts the Defence Science and Technology Organisation Centreof Expertise for Uninhabited and Autonomous Systems, and is a partner in theCooperative Research Centre for Mining. Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte is anAustralian Research Council Federation Fellow. http://www.acfr.usyd.edu.au/ For further information, please contact: LONDON AUSTRALIA Media Relations Media RelationsChristina Mills Ian HeadOffice: +44 (0) 20 8080 1306 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101 Nick Cobban Amanda BuckleyOffice: +44 (0) 20 8080 1305 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349 Investor Relations Investor RelationsNigel Jones Dave SkinnerOffice: +44 (0) 20 7753 2401 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 227 365 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309 David Ovington Susie CreswellOffice: +44 (0) 20 7753 2326 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3639Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978 Mobile: +61 (0) 418 933 792 Website: www.riotinto.comHigh resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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