Rio Tinto’s first Pilbara-made iron ore rail car has rolled off the production line in Karratha, as part of a A$150 million partnership with rail industry supplier Gemco Rail to build 100 rail cars in Western Australia.
The first Karratha-made rail car follows the completion of 40 rail cars under the partnership at Gemco Rail’s Perth facility earlier this year, with the remaining cars to be built at a new purpose-built facility in Karratha.
“We’re thrilled to be working with our partners to bring iron ore rail car manufacturing to the Pilbara for the first time,” Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Matthew Holcz said.
“Our WA operations haul more than 300 million tonnes of iron ore across almost 2,000 km of rail tracks every year. Local manufacturing strengthens not only our business, it also empowers local communities, supports regional jobs and creates new economic opportunities in the Pilbara.”
The Karratha-made rail cars will begin hauling iron ore from Rio Tinto’s 18 Pilbara iron ore mines to its Dampier and Cape Lambert port facilities this month. The new rail cars can each carry up to 118 tonnes of iron ore.
The partnership demonstrates Rio Tinto’s commitment to local manufacturing and supporting the communities where it operates. It was formed in 2023 by Rio Tinto, Gemco Rail and CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock Co. Ltd and was supported by the Western Australian Government.
Rio Tinto uses about 13,500 iron ore rail cars across its Pilbara iron ore rail network. It typically replaces about 10 retired iron ore rail cars per year.
Source: Rio Tinto