Australian iron ore leader Rio Tinto has brought the first greenfield mine online in more than a decade at its WA Pilbara system with the first ore delivery at its new Gudai-Darri development.
Completion of the 43Mtpa mine and production hub 110km NW of Newman was delayed from late-2021 due to COVID-related labour shortages and travel restrictions. Final capital cost is estimated to be $US3.1B.
Rio Tinto expects Gudai-Darri to ramp-up to full capacity in 2023, with a forecast life of more than 40 years.
Its FY2022 guidance remains 320-335Mt.
NEW MINE CONVEYS RIO TINTO TO TECHNOLOGICAL FUTURE - |