Pilbara
Our iron ore operations in the Pilbara have expanded to an annual capacity of 220 million tonnes, with advanced plans to further expand. With a network of 12 mines, three shipping terminals and the largest privately owned heavy freight rail network in Australia, our Pilbara operations make up a major part of our iron ore activities globally. Our operations began in 1966 and have expanded to meet the growing needs of the world's iron and steel industry.
In the Pilbara, we wholly own Hamersley Iron's six mines and also operate the Hope Downs mine (50:50 joint venture between Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting Pty Limited), the Channar mine (Rio Tinto: 60 per cent) and the Eastern Range mine (Rio Tinto: 54 per cent). Our iron ore operations in the Pilbara also include a 53 per cent interest in Robe River Iron Associates' three mines, Mesa J, Mesa A/Warramboo and West Angelas.
Mining
Rio Tinto is a world-class asset manager, operating and maintaining all mining, rail, power and port facilities in the Pilbara on behalf of asset owners Hamersley Iron (Rio Tinto: 100 per cent) and Robe River (Rio Tinto: 53 per cent).
Rail
Our Rail division operates a single integrated rail network on behalf of Hamersley Iron and Robe River.
Ports
Our port facilities are located at Dampier and Cape Lambert.
Infrastructure
We own and operate a range of major infrastructure in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Pastoral stations
We manage six pastoral stations in the Pilbara - Karratha, Hamersley, Rocklea, Juna, Yalleen and Yarraloola.
Geology
The geology of the Pilbara region is characterised by late Archaean and early Proterozoic rock formations known as the 'Hamersley Group', which contains several large units of Banded Iron Formation.
History
Rio Tinto has been at the forefront of sustained innovation and growth in the Pilbara region for more than forty years.
Latest media releases
- 30 August 2010
Rio Tinto approves US$1.6 billion investment in Hope Downs 4 mine - 04 August 2010
Rio Tinto to invest additional US$790 million in expansion of Pilbara capacity to 330 Mtpa - 03 August 2010
Rio Tinto to invest US$170m for the next stage of the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea