Rio Tinto to invest $2.8bn to develop Brockman Syncline 1 mine project

Approximately $2.8 billion (US$1.8 billion) will be invested by Rio Tinto to develop the Brockman Syncline 1 mine (BS1) in the West Pilbara region of Western Australia. 

Not only will this project extend the life of the Brockman operations, but it will also help sustain the company’s iron ore production. 

The Brockman Syncline 1 project has already secured all necessary State and Federal Government approvals and has been developed in consultation with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Traditional Owners as well as the Muntulgura Guruma Traditional Owners. 

“Brockman 4 produced 43 million tonnes of iron ore in 2024. Securing this project extends the life of the Brockman hub. This is good for our business, good for Western Australia and good for the Australian economy. 

“Rio Tinto has been mining iron ore in the Pilbara for almost six decades and our tranche of new mines will ensure we can continue to supply the globe’s ongoing need for iron ore, for decades to come,” Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott said. 

Construction on the Brockman Syncline 1 mine is due to commence this year. The project will include a new primary crusher and overland conveyor, a Non-Process Infrastructure precinct, and a temporary camp for construction workers. 

Around 1,000 jobs are anticipated to be created during the construction phase, with the mine sustaining a workforce of about 600 once operational. 

This project is a large-scale investment within the Brockman region, and it encompasses Brockman 4 and Greater Nammuldi. Once up and running, Brockman Syncline 1 will have a processing capacity of up to 34 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of iron ore – leveraging existing plants. 

The Brockman Syncline 1 mine is one of a tranche of replacement projects that has an annual capacity of about 130Mtpa, underpinning Rio Tinto’s ongoing commitment to the Pilbara. 

Source: Rio Tinto; Australian Mining; Business Wire