Helping Mongolia go for gold at the Olympic Games

　　Rio Tinto signs up as Gold Partner sponsor for 2012 Mongolian National Olympic Team。

 

　　Rio Tinto, the company managing the world class Oyu Tolgoi mine in South Gobi, today signed an agreement with the Mongolian National Olympic Committee (MNOC) to be a Gold Partner sponsor for the Mongolian National Team competing at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

　　The agreement was signed by Rio Tinto Country Director Mongolia, David Paterson and MNOC President, Zagdsuren at a ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Enkhbold and Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, who is visiting Mongolia for this special occasion.

 

　　David Paterson said "We are sponsoring the National Olympic Team as part of our long-term commitment to Mongolia and Oyu Tolgoi. Rio Tinto wants to play its part in giving Mongolia's medal winning athletes the best possible chance to succeed at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London next year."

 

　　In addition to sponsoring the National Olympic Team, Rio Tinto is also the official provider of all the metal used to produce the 4,700 gold, silver and bronze medals to be awarded during the London 2012 Games. The metal is coming from Oyu Tolgoi as well as Rio Tinto's Kennecott Utah Copper in the USA.

 

　　"The country should be proud knowing that metal mined from Oyu Tolgoi will be used in the making of the Olympic and Paralympic medals, which are enduring symbols of achievement," added Mr. Paterson.

 

　　Congratulating Rio Tinto on its agreement to sponsor the National team, MNOC president Zagdsuren said "We are proud to have Rio Tinto as our Olympic Gold Partner in Mongolia. Your sponsorship will give Mongolian athletes vital support in their goal of achieving success in 2012."

 

　　"In addition to backing our elite athletes, Rio Tinto's commitment between now and the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year, will also inspire and encourage young Mongolians to get more involved in sport and be our Olympians of tomorrow," he added.

 

　　Rio Tinto has a proud history of being the official provider of metal to produce Olympic Games medals. In 2002, the company provided the metal for the Winter Olympic Games held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rio Tinto's involvement with the Olympic Games also includes its Partner level sponsorship of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team.

 

　　Rio Tinto's Olympic sponsorship is just one of many ways the company is contributing to Mongolia's development. For example, Rio Tinto invests in numerous programmes that assist regional and local communities and young Mongolians in the areas of education and training, local procurement practices and sustainable development.

 

　　About Rio Tinto

 

　　Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

 

　　Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and Africa.