Mining giant Rio Tinto's Antwerp-based organization announced its intention to work with its customers to ensure they are certified members of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) by 2011.

Rio Tinto is a founding member of Responsible Jewellery Council, which aims to provide a single industry standard for responsible business practices across the entire diamond and gold jewellery industries. The RJC Code of Practices covers a wide range of business, human rights, environmental and management criteria.

Rio Tinto's General Manager of sales and marketing Jean-Marc Lieberherr, was quoted by Commodity Online as saying that the miner,” believes there is great value in supporting the RJC as the industry standard, in order to avoid duplication, maximize reach for the program, and provide clarity and confidence to consumers and the trade alike."

The majority of Rio Tinto's diamonds are cut and polished in India.