Rio Tinto says it can make investments US$1.8 billion to develop the Brockman Syncline 1 mine challenge (BS1), extending the lifetime of the Brockman area within the West Pilbara of Western Australia and sustaining manufacturing from the corporate’s world class iron ore operations. BS1 is a satellite tv for pc orebody mine improvement, positioned roughly 8 kilometres north of Brockman 4.
The challenge has now acquired all obligatory State and Federal Authorities approvals and has been developed in session with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Conventional House owners and the Muntulgura Guruma Conventional House owners.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Government Simon Trott mentioned: “Brockman 4 produced 43 Mt of iron ore in 2024. Securing this challenge extends the lifetime of the Brockman hub. That is good for our enterprise, good for Western Australia and good for the Australian economic system. Rio Tinto has been mining iron ore within the Pilbara for nearly six a long time and our tranche of latest mines will guarantee we are able to proceed to provide the globe’s ongoing want for iron ore, for many years to return.”
BS1 is a large-scale funding inside the Brockman area, which encompasses Brockman 4 and Larger Nammuldi. It would have capability to course of as much as 34 Mt/y of iron ore, leveraging present vegetation. First ore is now scheduled for 2027, having beforehand been anticipated in 2028.
Development of the challenge begins this 12 months and features a new major crusher and overland conveyor, a Non-Course of Infrastructure precinct and a brief camp for building employees.
About 1,000 jobs will probably be created throughout building and as soon as operational, BS1 will maintain a workforce of about 600. BS1 is certainly one of a tranche of alternative initiatives, with whole annual capability of ~130 Mt/y, that underpin Rio Tinto’s ongoing dedication to the Pilbara.
Western Vary is greater than 90% full, with first manufacturing due within the first half of 2025. The Hope Downs 1 and West Angelas sustaining initiatives are progressing by means of approvals processes.
Moreover, work continues on the pre-feasibility examine for Rhodes Ridge, one of many world’s largest and highest high quality undeveloped iron ore deposits, which is focusing on an preliminary capability of as much as 40Mt/y and first ore by 2030.