History
Rio Tinto has a proud and successful history of sustained growth and innovation in the Pilbara region for more than 40 years. Through this time, we have been at the forefront of driving change in the iron ore industry.
Production of iron ore in the Pilbara began in 1966 at the Mt Tom Price mine. The following timeline presents a historical overview of our operations in the Pilbara:
|
Year |
Event |
|---|---|
1960 |
Commonwealth government eases restrictions on iron ore exports and exploration in the Pilbara yields promising results. |
1963 |
Hamersley Iron State Agreement signed with Western Australian State Government. |
1966 |
Tom Price to Dampier railway is completed; mine and port operations are commissioned and the first shipment of iron ore loaded at Parker Point in Dampier . Tom Price and Dampier townsites established. |
1970 |
Paraburdoo townsite established. |
1972 |
Paraburdoo mine operations commence; first shipment of ore from East Intercourse Island berth. |
1972 |
Pannawonica mine operations commence; Wickham and Pannawonica towns established. |
1979 |
Mt Tom Price concentrator commences operation. |
1990 |
Channar mine operations commence. |
1992 |
Brockman mine operations commence. |
1994 |
Marandoo mine operations commence; Paraburdoo fines processing plant commissioned. |
1994 |
Robe Valley mining activities consolidated at Mesa J. |
1998 |
Yandicoogina mine operations commence; port out loading upgrade. |
2000 |
Rio Tinto acquires North Ltd and becomes a majority joint venture participant in Robe River Iron Associates and the Iron Ore Company of Canada. |
2002 |
West Angelas mine operations commence. |
2004 |
Eastern Range mine operations commence; Pilbara Iron Pty Ltd formed to operate and maintain mining, rail and export facilities on behalf of Hamersley Iron and Robe River Iron Associates. |
2006 |
Nammuldi mine operations commence. |
2007 |
Hope Downs mine operations commence. |
2008 |
Cape Lambert port upgrade completed. Rio Tinto's iron ore capacity in the Pilbara expands to 220 million tonnes. |
2008 |
Brockman 4 and Mesa A expansion approved. Construction commenced. |
Latest media releases
- 02 September 2010
Rio Tinto opens Brockman 4 iron ore mine in the Pilbara - 31 August 2010
Rio Tinto increases Aboriginal employment from Kimberley - 30 August 2010
Rio Tinto approves US$1.6 billion investment in Hope Downs 4 mine