Whopping $16.1b spend on Australian suppliers by mining giant

Rio Tinto has spent more than $16.1b with suppliers and local Australian businesses in CY23, an increase of 5% from CY22.

It was spent with more than 5,800 businesses, including Australian owned and operated businesses and locally owned and managed branches of global companies.

As part of the mining giant’s ongoing commitment to support communities where it operates, the spend has contributed to tens of thousands of Australian jobs and delivered a significant economic contribution to communities across the country.

Rio Tinto chief executive for Australia Kellie Parker says it is important for the company to assist the communities where it operates so that Rio Tinto can in turn have a long-term future.

“We strive to employ locally and buy locally in Australia – especially from Indigenous, small and regional businesses,” she said.

“It’s about providing opportunities to help these businesses grow and, in doing so, creating new jobs and training opportunities for many Australians, helping to support the nation’s economy.

“We’re proud to have increased our spend with Australian Indigenous businesses by 29% to $727m in CY23 and with local businesses around Australia by 25% to $1.2b.”

WA spend jumps almost 40%

Rio Tinto’s spend in WA jumped almost 40% in CY23 from a year ago to $8.8b.

The company worked with more than 2,400 suppliers, with $875m going to local businesses near its operations around the State.

The company also increased spend with WA Indigenous businesses by 35% in CY23, compared to the year prior, reaching a record $593m.

In the Pilbara, Rio Tinto spent $835m with local businesses and, of this, $499m was spent with Pilbara-based Indigenous businesses.

More than 80% of these businesses were Traditional Owner businesses.

Since 2018, Rio Tinto has increased its annual spend with suppliers in WA by 78%, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support the communities where it operates.

Monadelphous and Wesfarmers major category winners at Supplier Awards

Rio Tinto celebrated the contribution of its suppliers at its second Supplier Recognition Awards last night.

Attended by more than 700 people, the awards recognise the company’s valued suppliers for their outstanding performance and the contribution they make to the company and the local community.

This year, around 200 supplier nominations were received, of which 18 finalists were selected.

Two major awards were also celebrated on the night – the WA Supplier of the Year and the Chief Executive Award.

WA Premier Roger Cook attended the event and presented the WA Supplier of the Year award to Monadelphous, while Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott presented the Chief Executive Award to Wesfarmers.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott says the business is committed to sharing its success across the communities in which it operates by providing businesses opportunities to support local jobs for local people.

“We are proud of the momentum we have built over the last six years to partner with more businesses in WA,” he said.

“As we invest in the future of our business and operations in WA, we will continue to create opportunities for suppliers.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook congratulated the winners and finalists for their work and their contribution to WA.

“Ensuring local businesses play a role in our resources sector is vital to the ongoing strength of our economy and to local jobs right across the State,” he said.

“[The WA] Government has put in place a range of initiatives to ramp up local content on government projects, and it is great to see major companies like Rio Tinto increasing their local spend.”

This year’s award winners are:

Care, Courage and Curiosity Award: SimCon Occupational Medicine

Local Engagement Award: MundaMurra

Health & Safety Award: Bunbury Drilling Company

Environmental Sustainability Award: Camco Engineering

Operational Excellence Award: Hitachi Rail

Innovation Award: Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec

WA Supplier of the Year Award: Monadelphous

Chief Executive Award: Wesfarmers