Sandvik, Rio Tinto to advance autonomous open-pit drilling

Sandvik and Rio Tinto will jointly develop and integrate Sandvik i-series surface drill rigs with Rio Tinto’s Autonomous Drilling System. The collaboration aims to improve safety, productivity and system compatibility, starting initially with support drilling activities in open-pit mining operations. “This joint development reflects Sandvik’s commitment to improving safety and productivity through open, interoperable automation,” said Petri Virrankoski, president of…

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Rio Tinto ships 8 billionth tonne of Pilbara iron ore

Rio-Tinto-Pilbara-iron-ore

Global miner Rio Tinto is celebrating this week following the shipment of 8 billion tonnes of iron ore to global markets from the Pilbara region, 60 years after the company’s first shipment set sail from Western Australia for Japan. The milestone shipment departed from Cape Lambert port aboard the Juno Horizon on 19 May, bound for one of the miner’s…

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BHP, Rio Tinto team up for tailings

BHP and Rio Tinto

Miners BHP and Rio Tinto have formed a Tailings Management Consortium (TMC) to develop solutions for sustainably improving tailings dewatering and management that may potentially reduce the safety risks and environmental footprints associated with tailings storage facilities. The companies said the outlines of the partnership extend back to its first establishment in 2022, a mission to accelerate technologies and practices…

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Rio Tinto restarts operations at Pilbara ports

Rio-Tinto-pilbara-piles

Rio Tinto has resumed its iron ore port operations after Tropical Cyclone Narelle recently passed over Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Its four port terminals closed – East Intercourse Island, Parker Point, Cape Lambert A and B – on 24 March. The miner said its employees remained safe and unharmed during the weather event. Ship loading at East Intercourse Island, Parker…

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Rio Tinto partners with WA government on desalination plant

Rendering: Rio Tinto

Rendering: Rio Tinto Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government have entered into a 50:50 joint venture to complete both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Dampier seawater desalination plant. Once fully operational, the plant will deliver 8 gigalitres of desalinated water per year to the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme, reducing pressure on regional aquifers. The joint venture…

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Bougainville rejects Chinese partner for Panguna mine

The Pacific island of Bougainville has rejected a partnership with Chinese miner CMOC to reopen the Panguna gold-copper mine, instead opting to deal with Indian company Lloyds Metals & Energy, reported Reuters. Panguna, formerly operated by Rio Tinto, was once a major export earner for Papua New Guinea but closed in 1989 due to civil war. According to the news…

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