Just when mining jobs in WA were getting harder to land, 760 Rio Tinto jobs will be created as expansion plans are approved.
The WA government has approved ambitious plans by Rio Tinto to increase production at two of its Pilbara iron ore operations.
Western Australian Premier and State Development Minster Colin Barnett made the announcement to the media indicating this new approval has paved the way for the creation of over 760 new Rio Tinto jobs in the Pilbara region.
“760 new mining jobs”
The expansion at Rio Tinto’s West Angelas and Western Turner Syncline mines in the Pilbara is estimated to be somewhere in the region of 880 million AU dollars (797 million U.S. dollars).
Mr Barnett said the West Angelas expansion, which will lift its iron ore production from 29 million tons per annum (mtpa) to 35 mtpa, was another sign of confidence in the Western Australian iron ore sector. Rio Tinto jobs are a major contributor to the growth of local communities in the state and provide employment opportunities for FIFO workers as well as local indigenous community members.
“mine life extended by 13 years”
“This expansion is expected to extend the mine’s life by approximately 13 years and will involve a 680-million-AU-dollar ( 616 million U.S. dollars) capital investment by Rio Tinto and its Robe River joint venture partners,” Barnett said in a statement.
Rio Tinto is expected to spend around 200 million AU dollars (181 million U.S. dollars) to increase production at its Western Turner Syncline mine from 25 mtpa to 30 mtpa.
“These projects are part of Rio Tinto’s plans to increase its annual iron ore production in Pilbara towards 360 million tons� and demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the company and its Robe River joint venture partners to their WA operations,” Barnett said.
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