Rio Tinto has awarded Perth-based BGC Contracting and Monadelphous Group contracts with a combined value of more than $250 million for works at Robe River Joint Venture’s West Angelas iron ore operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region.
“These contract awards are a further demonstration of our commitment to buy locally as we invest in a strong pipeline of development projects. This pipeline will continue to provide opportunities for WA businesses to compete as we look to local companies to support our mines of the future,” Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Chris Salisbury said.
BGC Contracting secured the contract to deliver earthworks and civil construction works at the mine. Scope of works include building concrete foundations for the new iron ore facilities in addition to utilities infrastructure as well as construction of heavy and light vehicle road networks that will connect the existing processing plant to the two new deposits being developed.
Construction is set to begin in October of this year, with completion due by December 2020.
On the other hand, Monadelphous Group won the contract for the supply and installation of structural, mechanical, piping and electrical as well as instrumentation works related to the delivery of new iron ore facilities and the upgrade of the existing plant.
Works under this contract will begin immediately, with completion expected by April 2021.
“We look forward to continuing our long-term relationship with Rio Tinto and supporting their iron ore operations in the Pilbara,” Monadelphous Managing Director Rob Velletri said.
Last year, the Robe River Joint Venture - comprised of Rio Tinto, Mitsui & Co., and Nippon Steel - announced that it will invest approximately $579 million towards the development of Deposits C and D at the West Angelas operations.
First iron ore from this development is anticipated to be delivered in 2021.
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Source: Rio Tinto; Monadelphous Group; Australian Mining; The National Tribune