The Robe River Joint Venture, which comprises Rio Tinto (53%) and Japanese partners Mitsui Iron Ore (33%) and Nippon Steel (14%), has agreed to invest $733 million to develop the West Angelas sustaining project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The project aims to develop new iron ore deposits in the West Angelas hub. The deposits will maintain the hub’s total annual production capacity of 35 million tonnes, extending mining activity for years to come. Rio said all necessary State and Federal Government approvals were obtained.
“The West Angelas Sustaining Project is built on strong and committed partnerships, both with the joint venture members Mitsui and Nippon Steel, as well as the Yinhawangka and Ngarlawangga Peoples,” said Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Matthew Holcz.
“The West Angelas hub has been an integral part of Rio Tinto Iron Ore since 2002. Securing these approvals ensures ongoing investment in the hub as we continue to supply high-quality, reliable iron ore to meet our global customers’ demand now and into the future.”
The project will leverage existing West Angelas processing infrastructure and includes the construction of new non-process infrastructure precincts and 22 kilometres of haul roads.
Ore mined at the new deposits will be autonomously trucked to the West Angelas hub, with first ore scheduled for 2027.
Source: Rio Tinto