Rio Tinto approves initial funding for its first intelligent mine in the Pilbara
30 August 2018
Rio Tinto: Rio
Tinto has approved $146 million of funding to undertake initial work at
the
Koodaideri iron ore project in
Western Australia, ahead of a final investment decision expected by
the end of the year.
The funds will be invested in detailed engineering work on key elements
of the project, the development of a
rail construction camp and the first stage of the Koodaideri
accommodation camp.
Subject to final investment and government approvals, Koodaideri will be
Rio Tinto’s first intelligent
mine, incorporating the latest in
high-tech advances in the industry and utilising an increased level of
automation and robotics. It’s a large scale, low-cost, high-quality
project, producing replacement tonnes and forming a new production hub
for Rio Tinto in the
Pilbara for decades to come.
If approved, construction is scheduled to begin in 2019 with first
production expected in 2021. The mine would create over 2,000
jobs
during construction and 600 permanent operational roles.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Chris Salisbury said “This is an
important step for our Koodaideri project which will be a significant
leap forward for the global mining industry and Rio Tinto.
“We’ve been building mines in the Pilbara for over 50 years, and,
subject to final approvals, Koodaideri will incorporate all of that
knowledge to enable us to build the smartest, safest and most efficient
mine we’ve ever constructed. The deployment of leading edge
technology will deliver a step-change in both safety and
productivity for our business.”
Notes for editors
Koodaideri is located about 110 kilometres from Newman in the Pilbara
region of Western Australia.
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Source: Rio Tinto - www.riotinto.com
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