Diversified mining major Rio Tinto on Thursday committed to the $1.8-billion development of the Brockman Syncline 1 project (BS1) in the Pilbara, extending the life of the Brockman region and sustaining production from its iron-ore operations.

BS1, located about 8 km north of Brockman 4, is classified as a satellite orebody mine development. The mine will have the capacity to process up to 34-million tonnes a year of iron-ore, leveraging existing processing infrastructure.

Construction will start this year and will include a new primary crusher, overland conveyor, non-process infrastructure, and a temporary construction camp. About 1 000 jobs will be created during construction, with an operational workforce of about 600.

Rio Tinto expects first ore from BS1 in 2027, a year earlier than previously planned.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore CEO Simon Trott said in a statement that the investment would underpin the company’s long-term presence in the Pilbara. “Brockman 4 produced 43-million tonnes of iron-ore in 2024. Securing this project extends the life of the Brockman hub. This is good for our business, good for Western Australia and good for the Australian economy."

“Rio Tinto has been mining iron-ore in the Pilbara for almost six decades and our tranche of new mines will ensure we can continue to supply the globe’s ongoing need for iron-ore, for decades to come," he stated.

BS1 is part of the group's broader portfolio of sustaining projects in the Pilbara, which have a combined capacity of 130-million tonnes a year. Other projects in this pipeline include Western Range, which is more than 90% complete and on track for first production in the first half of 2025. The Hope Downs 1 and West Angelas sustaining projects are progressing through approvals.

Meanwhile, Rio Tinto said its prefeasibility study for Rhodes Ridge, one of the world’s largest undeveloped iron-ore deposits, was continuing. The project targets an initial capacity of up to 40-million tonnes a year, with first ore expected by 2030.