Rio Tinto, British ale and the sanctity of the Olympic brand

Rio Tinto is proud to provide the metal for the medals for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games ( Campaign targets 2012 sponsors , 16 April). We run our business to very high ethical standards and are committed to human rights and running our mines responsibly. We aim to bring long-lasting social, economic and environmental benefits to the communities, regions and countries where we work. The metals and minerals we produce are turned into things we use daily that contribute to higher living standards such as housing, transport networks and computers. Specific criticisms have been made about air quality and water scarcity at our two mines providing the metal for the medals. In Salt Lake City, we operate within the parameters of our air permits and comply with both Utah and US air-quality regulations, based on strict standards for protecting human health. In Mongolia, water will come from a deep underground source unfit for human and animal use, and we will only use 20% of it so the supply can never be exhausted. Everywhere we work we have high standards covering air quality, ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change, the use of energy, land and water and waste disposal. Whenever I visit our mines, I'm always impressed by the variety of sustainable development projects and by the commitment of our employees everywhere to these projects and to their local communities. Guardian readers can find out more about our global code of conduct, approach to sustainable development and Olympic sponsorship at www.riotinto.com . Tom Albanese Chief executive officer, Rio Tinto, Melbourne, Australia • Seb Coe ( Report , 17 April) says he is both "a proud Londoner" and "quintessentially" British. Odd, then, that he has not ensured British beer and, in particular, London ale, is available at Olympics venues selling alcohol. The sole "pouring rights" have been given to the Dutch global brewer Heineken, which has paid £10m for the privilege. So there will be no Fuller's London Pride at Stratford, and if David Cameron visits Lord's cricket ground to watch the archery he will not be able to enjoy his favourite beer, Marston's Pedigree. Marston's, which sponsors the England cricket team, will have to remove its pumps for Pedigree while the archery takes place, to make way for Heineken. Meanwhile, Alexandra Palace will be coloured orange during the Games and renamed "Holland Heineken House", run by the Dutch Olympics Committee. Guess which beer will be on tap. The worldwide promotion for Heineken makes £10m seem a snip. Makes you proud to be a Londoner. Roger Protz St Albans, Hertfordshire • I met the long arm of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games last year, when I asked to use a photo of an Olympic athletics final from 1924 for a museum display in the district where the winner lived. It said no because ours was not an official "Inspire" project. I cannot see how use of an old photo could have threatened the integrity of the brand. But it's a useful example when my young children ask what freedoms would be cut in a police state. Simon Cherry Claygate, Surrey • My Olympic dinosaur moment ( Letters , 17 April) was when, aged nine, I was woken late one evening to watch the 1948 Olympic torch pass along the A20 at the top of our road. My mother was upset when I refused to stir: "You'll never get the chance again!" Wrong again, Mum. I may actually make the effort this time. Ann Hiam Maidstone, Kent