BORON, CA - U.S. Borax Inc.'s Boron Operations - the company's principal mine and refining facility, and source of nearly half the world's refined borates - hosted global mining leaders today to celebrate employees' having achieved the operation's best safety record to date.

The 20 Boron Operations employees who have turned in the best safety performance - and whose cumulative record represents more than 700 years working without injury - were also honored. These employees represent a wide range of skills, including geologists, millwrights, electricians, engineers, accountants, shipping and human resources experts.

Leaders from Borax's parent company Rio Tinto were on hand to present employees with the 2003 Chief Executive's Top Performer Safety Award. This award distinguishes Boron Operations' workforce as the safest among Rio Tinto's 80 operations and 35,000 employees worldwide. These leaders include Rio Tinto Chief Executive Leigh Clifford and Rio Tinto Industrial Minerals Chief Executive Tom Albanese.

"Safety is our top priority at Borax," said Borax Chief Operating Officer Chris Robison. "Everybody starts his or her day discussing safety - from how to approach the day's work safely to ways to improve our underlying safety systems. We could not have achieved this safety milestone without the contribution of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 30, whose 600 members form the majority of our workforce here."

Borax's safety program focuses on preventing accidents and promoting safe behavior. Last year, the company instituted a program of reporting near misses, or incidents that have the potential to result in injury, environmental harm or property damage. This year, the company launched an occupational health program, which includes company-subsidized annual physical examinations and support for membership in local health clubs.

"Our ultimate goal is zero injuries," said Robison. "We believe that everyone who works at Borax should go home as healthy as when they arrived for duty."

Borax is the world leader in supplying refined borates, minerals essential to life and modern living. Visit www.borax.com for more information.

Rio Tinto is a world leader in finding, mining and processing the earth's mineral resources. Visit www.riotinto.com for more information.