Name of the Project
Hope Downs 2 iron-ore project.

Location
Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

Project Owner/s
Hope Downs Joint Venture (JV), comprising multinational mining company Rio Tinto and Australian-owned mining and agricultural business Hancock Prospecting.

Project Description
The project aims to develop Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting’s Hope Downs 2 and Bedded Hilltop deposits. Hope Downs 2 is part of Rio Tinto’s tranche of replacement projects, which will have combined total capacity of about 130-million tonnes a year. 

The two new above-water-table iron-ore pits will have a combined production capacity of 31-million tonnes a year and will sustain production from the Hope Downs JV into the future. 

The project includes new nonprocess infrastructure precincts, railway crossings and haul roads, as well as realigning a 6 km section of the Great Northern Highway.

Ore mined at the two sites will be transported to Hope Downs 1 for processing.

Potential Job Creation
More than 950 jobs will be created during construction and, once operational, the project will help sustain a workforce of about 1 000 full-time-equivalent roles at Greater Hope Downs.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$1.6-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
First ore from the deposits and associated infrastructure is scheduled for 2027.

Latest Developments
The project received all necessary state and federal government approvals in June 2025.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Not disclosed.

Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto, tel +61 3 9283 3333 or email media.enquiries@riotinto.com.