WA Government approves development of Rio Tinto's $1bn Pilbara project

About a month after the announcement of a $1 billion investment for the development of Rio Tinto’s Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 project, the Western Australian Government approved the project that will support up to 1,000 construction jobs for the State.

“The Western Turner Syncline project will boost WA’s economy, creating more than 1,000 construction jobs and securing ongoing work for the company’s existing local workforce.

“This project is a big injection into Western Australia in terms of improving business confidence and boosting the State’s economy,” Acting Premier Roger Cook said.

The billion dollar project will include a new crusher as well as a 13-kilometre overland conveyor that will transport crushed ore from the mine to an existing transfer infrastructure.

Construction is anticipated to commence early this year and the first ore is expected to be delivered by the third quarter of 2021.

Most of the equipment and technology required for the delivery of this project will be manufactured in Western Australia, providing more job opportunities for local workers.

The Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 - located approximately 35 kilometres north-west of Tom Price - will help sustain Rio Tinto’s production capacity of its iron ore operations in the Pilbara region.

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Source: Government of Western Australia; S&P Global Market Intelligence