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Together
with the Prince of Wales’ International
Business Leaders Forum, Synergy designed and
implemented a global assurance review of Rio
Tinto’s Social and Environmental Policies
& reporting.
Challenge
Rio Tinto asked us, with IBLF, to conduct
an external assurance review of the reporting
of policies and programmes in its annual Social
& Environment reviews for 2000 and 2001.
Despite the company’s policy commitment
to these areas, it had come under criticism
from pressure groups and its own employees
regarding how deeply embedded the principles
in its operations were. The corporation wanted
to improve its performance in these areas
and to position itself as a leader in the
mining industry.
Approach
• We designed a unique methodology for
assurance, drawing on several other sets of
best-practice guidelines
• We sought answers to two questions:
o Does the information reflect the concerns
of key stakeholders?
o Is there consistency between corporate policy
and practice?
• Synergy & IBLF visited the sites
of three Rio Tinto operations around the world
and spoke with managers, employees and local
communities. We also consulted with Rio Tinto
Group senior managers
• We reviewed of internal documents
and management systems for these issues
Benefits
• Rio Tinto gained a better understanding
of the perspectives of its critics
• The project developed a benchmark
matrix, allowing the client a clear way of
measuring improvements and institutionalising
its policies
• We provided a framework for improved
social ‘licence to operate’ among
affected citizens
• This work increased the credibility
of Rio Tinto with external stakeholders
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