Name of the Project
Robe River Joint Venture (JV) iron-ore project.

Location
Pilbara, Western Australia.

Project Owner’s
Rio Tinto (53%), together with JV partners Mitsui & Co (33%) and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal (14%).

Project Description
The existing deposits in the Robe Valley mine and West Angelas mine, currently in operation, are nearing the end of their life span.

The aim of the project is to sustain production capacity at two projects that form part of the Robe River JV – the Mesa B, C and H deposits at Robe Valley, and Deposits C and D at the existing West Angelas operation.

The Robe River JV will develop these new deposits using the existing rail and port infrastructure to sustain current rates of iron-ore production as existing mines decline. Once operational, both projects will feature the latest technology, with 34 existing haul trucks to be retrofitted with autonomous haulage system (AHS) technology, delivering safety and productivity gains to the business.

Potential Job Creation
An estimated 1 200 jobs are expected during the development of the project.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The project will cost $1.55-billion, of which $967-million will be allocated to develop the Mesa B, C and H deposits, and $579-million to develop Deposits C and D.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction is expected to start in 2019, with first ore expected in 2021.

Latest Developments
Rio Tinto has awarded engineering company Monadelphous Group a construction contract valued at more than A$100-million at its West Angelas Deposit C and D project.

The contract will include the supply and installation of structural, mechanical, piping and electrical and instrumentation work associated with the construction of new iron-ore facilities, as well as modifications to the existing plants.

Work under the construction contract will start immediately and will be completed by April 2021.

Rio and its JV partners Mitsui and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal approved a $579-million spend in October last year to develop Deposits C and D at the existing West Angelas operations, to help sustain the production of Rio’s Pilbara blend.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Monadelphous Group (construction contract).

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto media relations, email media.enquiries@riotinto.com.
Mitsui & Co corporate communications division, tel +81 3 3285 7596.
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal corporate communications centre, tel +81 3 6867 3419.