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The journeys of iron ore

Whether it’s a long-awaited trip to see family and friends, or the daily commute to work, every train journey begins with iron ore.
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Essential Connection

Trains are the world’s great connectors. Without iron, their wheels would never start rolling.
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Inside track

For generations, railways have been connecting communities, powering progress and changing lives.

In fact, from the early steam engines of the 19th century right through to the high-speed rail networks of today, trains have long found themselves at the centre of our daily lives.

For industry, they transport the products, services and freight needed to do business. In towns and cities, they connect parents, children, friends and family. And at times of crisis, they can help ensure aid and relief reach those most in need.

Yet, every train ride requires a track. A way to link A to B and back again. For the iron used to create those tracks, the journey actually began much earlier - as iron rich ore deep inside the Earth’s crust.

BUILT TO LAST

For centuries, iron has been the hidden might behind our daily lives. Thanks to iron ore production, that won’t be changing anytime soon.
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A world of possibilities

Take a look around you and the chances are that iron is close by.

Perhaps it’s hidden in the pipes or walls of your home. Maybe it’s supporting the bridge beneath your feet or helping you feel safe behind the bodywork of your car. It might even be inside the knife and fork you’re holding in your hands.

Yet iron’s omnipresence is nothing new.

As far back as 3,000 BC, the ancient Egyptians were using it to create tools and jewellery. Throughout the growth of their empire, the Romans mined iron ore and forged it into weapons and household utensils. And during the industrial revolution, iron was at the heart of a new wave of commercial possibility.

In fact, it’s fair to say that without iron, the world would look and feel very different. Why else would we have named an entire age after it?

SECURING THE FUTURE

Our work producing iron ore is key to the whole world’s future. But, we never lose sight of the communities around us.
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Supporting healthy communities

The health of the people in the communities near our operations is as fundamental to our business as the iron ore we discover underground.

That’s why at our Kolomela mine in the Northern Cape of South Africa, we have teamed up with the Department of Health to lead the way in the region’s battle against HIV/AIDS.

Here, our mobile health clinics give local people access to much-needed testing, treatment and disease management programmes. They also offer ongoing counselling for patients and their families, and provide bespoke services for HIV positive pregnant women to help prevent the disease being transmitted to their baby.

So far, the programme has won several international awards. Most importantly, though, it is making a real difference to overall health and HIV survival rates throughout the community.

MEET THE GAME CHANGERS

Iron may give the world strength but at our iron ore operations, it is the people who provide the power.
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Total talent

Who do you imagine when you think of someone working at an iron ore mine? We’re willing to bet it isn’t Cornelia Holtzhausen.

Yet in the world of mining, the picture is starting to change.

More women are working in the industry and remaining with us for the long-term. Women like Cornelia who, as General Manager of our Thabazimbi mine in South Africa, is responsible for the site’s entire operations.

For us, having Cornelia’s expertise and experience at the very heart of our business is an essential part of our success. But, we also realise that her story remains the exception, not the rule, which is why we’re determined to increase the number of women working in different roles across our organisation and create a future built on talent sourced from every walk of life.

As Cornelia herself puts it: "Mining isn’t all about rocks and equipment. Really, it’s all about people."

A Never-Ending Journey

Iron ore is one of the planet’s most ancient elements. But, when it comes to unearthing it, the old ways won’t always be the best.
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The power of potential

To stay at the forefront of our industry and satisfy the world’s need for iron, we must place innovation at the heart of everything we do.

From developing cutting-edge iron ore detection technology to finding safer, more sustainable ways to bring it to the surface, we never rest on our laurels and never stop re-inventing the way we work.

Take our Minas-Rio operation in Brazil. We mine in the state of Minas-Gerais before moving the iron ore through a 529km pipeline to a dedicated port facility in the state of Rio de Janeiro. This ensures we can then deliver the product quickly and efficiently to customers all over the world.

Whatever the location, unearthing a new source of iron ore brings a chance for us to feel the power of potential. For travellers on the world’s railways, that potential has already become an exciting reality.