Rio's iron-ore growth projects remain on track

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining major Rio Tinto is on track to start iron-ore production from a range of new mines in the Pilbara during 2021.

In its annual report, Rio noted that it was progressing its $2.6-billion Gudai-Darri iron-ore mine, with key construction activities on schedule.

This new production hub would be Rio’s most technologically advanced, incorporating a processing plant and infrastructure including an airport, camp and a 166-km rail line connecting the mine to its existing network.

Production to ramp-up is still expected in early 2022, and once fully commissioned, the initial mine development will have an annual capacity of 43-million tonnes, which would increase the lump to fines ratio in Rio’s Pilbara Blend shipments to 38%.

The company told shareholders that multiple project scopes were under study for Gudai-Darri Phase 2, following board approval for a $44 million prefeasibility study.

Ultimately, the capacity of the hub could be up to 70-million tonnes a year, depending on market conditions.