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Community projects range from delivering critical supplies, to providing counselling and support services to help frontline response workers and the communities. Rio Tinto CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques said the company was aiming support at projects that helped sustain regional economic development, which was vital for the long-term prosperity of communities.
Masks and other equipment worth about C$100,000 were supplied to a local health authority in Quebec, where Rio Tinto has its Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean aluminium operations. The aluminium business also provided C$75,000 to help Entreprise Prémont add a new production line for surgical masks.
Rio is also producing hand sanitiser and has provided funds to four local food banks in Havre-St-Pierre and Sorel-Tracy.
In British Columbia, the BC Works aluminium smelter in Kitimat made a $50,000 contribution to the Kitimat General Hospital Foundation and provided reusable masks and safety glasses to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
In the Northwest Territories, the Diavik diamond mine is contributing $60,000 to five indigenous communities for community identified relief initiatives such as food hampers and on-land activities.
In Labrador, IOC has provided alternative housing support to a local shelter for use if women and children affected by COVID-19 need a secure refuge.
In the US, Rio Tinto's Resolution copper project in Arizona partnered with the United Food Bank to deliver 75,000 meals to the White Mountain Apache Tribe on the Fort Apache Reservation. It is also donating 50,000 cans of water to support tribes in collaboration with Ball Corp and Can'd Aid.
In California, its borax business donated US$10,000 to offer learning support and food assistance to families living near our Wilmington facility at the Port of Los Angeles.
In Utah, the Kennecott copper operation is partnering with the Natural History Museum to run a digital education hub pilot to improve access to technology for students. It is also producing hand sanitiser.
Both the Boron and Kennecott operations are also producing hand sanitiser to help free up supplies for the company's communities.
