Australia-based miner Rio Tinto has announced that it has officially opened its newest iron ore mine, Western Range, which cost $2 billion to develop. First ore was processed through the Western Range system in late March this year.
The new mine, a joint venture between Rio Tinto and China-based Baowu, has an annual production capacity of up to 25 million mt of iron ore. The project, which involved constructing a primary crusher and 18-kilometre conveyor system linked to the existing Paraburdoo processing plant, could sustain the existing Paraburdoo mining hub for up to 20 years.
“The Western Range project is not only a strategic cornerstone in the global resource layout of China Baowu and Rio Tinto, but also a model of China-Australia economic and trade cooperation. Our joint efforts in green, low-carbon development and collaborative innovation have set new industry benchmarks and contributed valuable insights and strength to the sustainable development of global resources,” Hu Wangming, chairman of China Baowu Group, said.
Western Range is one of a series of replacement projects, with total annual capacity of 130 million mt, that underpin Rio Tinto’s ongoing commitment to the Pilbara.
In addition, the company will invest $1.8 billion to develop the Brockman Syncline 1 mine project with an estimated annual capacity of 34 million mt in the West Pilbara region of Australia, as SteelOrbis previously reported.