Rio Tinto achieves milestone in Australian expansion

2nd Sep 2013 07:20

Diversified mining group Rio Tinto has loaded the first shipment of iron ore from its expanded port, rail and mine operations in Australia.Rio said this was a "significant milestone" and marks the start of commissioning of the expansion programme, which is expected to see the company's iron ore operations in Western Australia increase capacity to 290m tonnes a year.The project is that largest integrated mining project in Australia and the first shipment is ahead of its original schedule and within budget."Given the demanding operating environment in Western Australia over the recent period, this stands as a noteworthy achievement, said Chief Executive Andrew Harding.The company is now undergoing phase two of the expansion of the port, rail and power infrastructure, expected to ramp-up production to 360m tonnes per annuam.Harding said: "Our focus will now be to ensure the ramp-up to full run-rate is achieved safely and efficiently. As always, we will continue to seek further productivity improvements from our fully-integrated Pilbara system, including our industry leading Mine of the Future? technology programme, in order to maximise the return on our investment."BC