Following the approval of the US$1.9 billion Amrun project, Rio Tinto will expand the output of one of the worlds premier bauxite deposits. The yearly output is estimated at 22.8 million tonnes, replacing the East Weipa mine which is nearing depletion and further increasing Cape York's exports by an approximated 10 million tonnes.
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Cost: US$1.9 billion
Location: Queensland, 40km south of Weipa and 40km north of Aurukun
Duration: approximately 3 years
Workforce: construction is expected to provide work for around 1100 people
Economic contribution: AU$1.3 billion annually to the Queensland economy. Once opperational, Amrun will help support the employment of the existing 1400 employees and contractors at Rio Tinto’s Cape York bauxite operations.
Rio Tinto have 100% ownership of the mine and refineries in Gladstone which will export mostly to China. This project is set to increase Weipa mine life by approximately 40 years. The project is set to take an estimated 3 years, with bauxite production and exports to commence early 2019.
With such extensive works this project will provide employment to 1100 people with an average construction workforce of 600 people and sustaining employment for the area for up to 40 years. The employment of the current 1400 based in Weipa will be continued throughout and after the contruction. This project is a great example of the benefits mining can bring to remote locations, with one in four workers being indigenous and one in four being women, ensuring all people of the area are given the opportunity for employment.
This project will bring an array of opportunities both local and interstate construction firms, and represents a great chance to be involved in a project which will continue to bring benefits for many decades to come.
The Queensland Government has announced that Queensland-based civil engineering company QBirt has won a $70 million bulk earthworks package for work on Rio Tinto's $2.6 billion Amrun Bauxite project on Western Cape York.
The joint venture between Acciona and Clough has been awarded the contract to deliver civil works on the northern rail formation at Rio Tinto’s Koodaideri iron ore project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Rio Tinto has announced that it has approved a US$146 million (approximately AUS$197 million) funding to jump start initial works at the Koodaideri iron ore project - located in the Pilbara region about 110 kilometres from Newman, Western Australia - ahead of the final investment decision which is expected to be made by the end of 2018.
Formerly known as the PlantMiner blog, Felix Project News is Australia's top 10 Construction blog.
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