NRW Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiary, Primero, has been awarded a contract to deliver non-process infrastructure (NPI) at Rio Tinto’s Western Range iron ore project in the Pilbara.
Under their contract, Primero will be carrying out the design, supply, construction and commissioning of the NPI facilities at Western Range.
The infrastructure to be delivered will include a refuelling facility, mobile equipment maintenance facility, primary crusher maintenance facility, washdown facilities, wastewater treatment plant and water infrastructure.
The contract – valued at $54 million – will run for about 12 months, starting in April of this year.
“This is an exciting opportunity as we continue to reinforce our long-term relationship with Rio Tinto through the delivery of world-class, Non-Process Infrastructure, design and construction performed in-house by Primero Group,” NRW Holdings Managing Director Jules Pemberton said.
The Western Range iron ore project is a joint venture between Rio Tinto and China’s Baowu Steel Group. The project was announced in September 2022 and is estimated to cost approximately $2 billion to develop.
The project consists of a primary crusher and an 18-kilometre conveyor system that links to the existing Paraburdoo processing plant.
Construction commenced in early 2023, and this stage of Western Range’s development is expected to support 1,600 jobs. Mine operations, on the other hand, will require up to 800 ongoing operational roles that are going to be filled by existing workers transitioning from other mining operations in the Paraburdoo hub. First production from Western Range is anticipated in 2025.
Once up and running, Western Range is estimated to have an annual production capacity of 25 million tonnes of iron ore. This will help Rio Tinto sustain its production of the Pilbara Blend from its existing Paraburdoo mining hub.
Source: NRW Holdings; Primero Group; Australian Mining; Rio Tinto