Rio Tinto announced the delivery of its first ore at the Gudai-Darri mine as the mining firm brought its first greenfield mine in Pilbara, Western Australia in over a decade online.
The company commented that Gudai-Darri would help underpin the future of its flagship Pilbara Blend product.
Rio Tinto said the first autonomous AutoHaul trains transporting iron ore from the mine’s process plant travelled its new 166 kilometre rail line connecting its existing rail and port infrastructure, with production set to continue to ramp up over FY 2022 and expected to hit full capacity in FY 2023.
“The commissioning of Gudai-Darri represents the successful delivery of our first greenfield mine in over a decade, helping to support increased output of Pilbara Blend, our flagship product,” said Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trott.
“It sets a new standard for Rio Tinto mine developments through its deployment of technology and innovation to enhance productivity and improve safety.”
“I’d like to acknowledge the support of the Traditional Owners, the Banjima People, on whose country Gudai-Darri is situated. We have worked closely with the Banjima People to progress this project and we look forward to continuing to actively partner with them into the future.”
The development of Gudai-Darri supported more than 3,000 jobs over the construction and design term, with the opened mine intended to support 600 ongoing permanent roles.
Rio Tinto added that the mine life was estimated at over 40 years, with an annual capacity of 43 million tonnes. The group mentioned a feasibility study was in progress to support an expansion of its hub.
The company said the project’s commissioning and ramp-up was expected to raise Rio Tinto’s ore production volumes and improve product mix from Pilbara in HY2 2022.
“The safe and successful delivery of Gudai-Darri, in the midst of a global pandemic, is testament to the resilience and hard work of thousands of Rio Tinto employees and contractors, including a range of local Western Australian suppliers, as well as Pilbara Aboriginal businesses,” said Rio Tinto chief technical officer Mark Davies.
“In building this new hub we have brought together the best of our innovations, including autonomous trucks, trains and drills, as well as the world’s first autonomous water trucks, to make Gudai-Darri our most technologically advanced iron ore mine.”
“This suite of autonomous assets complements the planned deployment of other leading-edge technologies including a robotic ore sampling laboratory, field mobility devices for all personnel and a digital asset of the fixed plant, which, together with data analytics, will make Gudai Darri safer and more productive.”
According to the mining group, FY 2022 shipments guidance remained at 320 million to 335 million tonnes.
Rio Tinto announced that the capital cost for the mine was currently projected at $3.1 billion, with company capital expenditure guidance unaltered at $8 billion.
