Rio Tinto has awarded contracts with a combined value of more than A$250 million to leading Western Australian suppliers BGC Contracting and Monadelphous Group for work on the Robe River Joint Venture’s West Angelas iron ore mine in the Pilbara region.
Perth-based BGC has been awarded a contract for earthworks and civil construction at the mine, where two additional deposits are being developed. This work includes constructing the concrete foundations for the new iron ore facilities in addition to utilities infrastructure and heavy and light vehicle road networks that will connect the existing processing plant with the new deposits.
Work is due to commence on site in early October 2019 and is expected to be completed in December 2020.
Perth-based engineering company Monadelphous will supply and install the structural, mechanical, piping and electrical and instrumentation works associated with the construction of new iron ore facilities, as well as modifications to existing plant. This work will commence immediately and is expected to be completed in April 2021.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Chris Salisbury said “These contract awards are a further demonstration of our commitment to buy locally as we invest in a strong pipeline of development projects. This pipeline will continue to provide opportunities for WA businesses to compete as we look to local companies to support our mines of the future.”
Last year, Rio Tinto, together with its Robe River Joint Venture partners Mitsui & Co. and Nippon Steel, approved an investment of $579 million (Rio Tinto share $307 million) in developing Deposits C and D at the existing West Angelas operation. First ore is expected in 2021.
Rio Tinto owns a 53 per cent interest in the Robe River Joint Venture, Mitsui 33 per cent and Nippon Steel 14 per cent.
