International assignments, which range in length from three months to three years, allow for a cross-cultural exchange of information and build a more diverse work force. In addition to being positive professional experiences for our employees, we benefit from the shared knowledge among our operations.

We offer our employees the opportunity to work all over the world. While expats (people working outside their home countries) fill only 200 to 300 positions worldwide at any given time, many of these jobs require specialized skills. One of an expat's key responsibilities is to transfer specialized knowledge and skills to the local work force.

Managers help identify employees who would benefit from exposure to another operation. Our Developmental Assignment Program then develops their skills and provides cultural awareness training, often through formal education and technical workshops.

Once assignments are complete, we work to reassign employees to other locations in need or back to their home countries to retain our talent investment. When reassignment is not possible, we provide support and training to maximize opportunities for alternative employment, as well as outplacement services for employees affected by mine closure.

In 2010, 88 expat positions were filled and 24 employees were repatriated back to their home country. There were 47 assignments of non-U.S. expats.

Snapshot: Learning to Embrace Diversity

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