Rio Tinto has involved itself with a philanthropic work of supporting women in mining. A champagne diamond from its Argyle Diamond Mine has been used to raise funds to sponsor a female mining intern from London’s Imperial College.

Rio Tinto’s Diamonds and Minerals vice president of Human Resources, Gina Jardine said “we are delighted to support Women in Mining and look forward to providing the successful intern with a rich experience and exposure to Rio Tinto’s global business.”

The Rio Tinto internship was announced at a Women in Mining event on the side-lines of Europe’s leading mining investment and capital raising conference, the Mines and Money conference in London. Ms Jardine also spoke about the links between Argyle diamonds and women’s empowerment including the location of the Argyle Diamond Mine on a sacred women’s site and their participation in the economic benefits of diamond mining, along with having a voice in the mining decisions that affect their interests.