Rio Tinto mine employee sexually assaulted in Western Australia

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Rio Tinto mining worker sexually assaulted in Western Australia: Police remove alleged perpetrator from location

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Rio Tinto said a worker at one of its mines in Western Australia was sexually assaulted and police have removed the alleged perpetrator from the site.

The incident comes three months after the Australian Commissioner for Gender Discrimination called for urgent changes to the country’s mining industry.

That came after a state government report found that sexual harassment and assault were rife in the industry.

Complaints: A report released by Rio in February outlined a culture of bullying, harassment and racism at the mining giant

Complaints: A report released by Rio in February outlined a culture of bullying, harassment and racism at the mining giant

“Rio Tinto continues to work closely with the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety regarding its investigation,” a company spokesperson said yesterday.

Rio said the company will not provide further details due to the right to privacy and respect for legal process.

But the incident has been shared with employees. A report released by Rio in February outlined a culture of bullying, intimidation and racism at the mining giant.

It included 21 complaints of actual or attempted rape or assault in the past five years.

Women who work at mining sites across the industry have long complained of sexual harassment in so-called ‘fly in, fly out’ mining camps, which have temporary housing in remote mines.