Pilbara mining infrastructure expansion plans

Infrastructure for Rio Tinto’s iron ore projects in Western Australia’s Pilbara region will be expanded under a $3.2 billion program to lift annual capacity to 283 million tonnes, with approval of a final feasibility study into increasing Pilbara annual production capacity to 333 million tonnes.

The mining giant said the investment would support port and rail infrastructure around Cape Lambert. The works would include a two-berth wharf, new stockyard, car dumper, two stackers and reclaimers, rail marshalling yards and six new heavy-haul train units; with further investments in mine and housing expansion after 2013.

Rio Tinto in August approved a $1.6 billion investment to develop its Hope Downs 4 iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

BHP oil, iron ore production upbeat

BHP Billiton has reported stronger-than-expected quarterly production, with record output from its petroleum division.

BHP also reported 6 per cent higher output from its iron ore division and a 10 per cent rise from itsmetallurgical coal projects compared to the prion corresponding quarter.

“BHP Billiton remains positive on the prospects for many of� its core commodities and the underlying performance of� its business,”� it said.