{"id":8978,"date":"2025-06-06T09:40:56","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T23:40:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/?p=8978"},"modified":"2025-06-11T09:43:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T23:43:49","slug":"rio-tintos-western-range-opens-its-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/06\/rio-tintos-western-range-opens-its-doors\/","title":{"rendered":"Rio Tinto\u2019s Western Range opens its doors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"50\" width=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b5e08ee8debb849ef78b8c99b82ea005?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b5e08ee8debb849ef78b8c99b82ea005?s=50&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" alt=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.australianmining.com.au\/author\/oliviathomson\/\">Olivia Thomson<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.australianmining.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/RT-Pilbara-Western-Range-e1749186898540-1024x644.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Western Range operation in WA. Image: Rio Tinto<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rio Tinto has officially opened its Western Range operation in Western Australia, joining the major miner\u2019s integrated network of 17 iron ore mines, four independent port terminals, a rail network spanning nearly 2000km and related infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>54:46 joint venture between Rio Tinto and Baowu<\/strong>, Western Range has the capacity to <strong>produce up to 25 million tonnes of iron ore per annum<\/strong> and can sustain the existing Paraburdoo mining hub for up to 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Western Range saw the construction of a <strong>primary crusher and 18km conveyor system <\/strong>connecting to the existing Paraburdoo processing plant, which currently has more than 880 residential and FIFO (fly in, fly out) employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The project cost $US2 billion and was completed on time and on budget<\/strong>, following first ore being processed in late March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOpening Western Range is an important step in Rio Tinto\u2019s extension plans in the Pilbara and ensures the longevity of one of our oldest mining hubs, Paraburdoo, which began operating in 1972,\u201d Rio Tinto chief executive officer (CEO) Jakob Stausholm&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.riotinto.com\/en\/news\/releases\/2025\/rio-tinto-and-baowu-open-western-range-iron-ore-mine-in-the-pilbara-with-yinhawangka-traditional-owners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m particularly proud of the work we\u2019ve done with the Yinhawangka People to develop Western Range and we\u2019ll continue to work closely together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<strong>Partnering with Baowu<\/strong> ensures our biggest customer directly benefits with a consistent, dedicated supply of Rio Tinto\u2019s world leading Pilbara Blend iron ore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To celebrate the milestone, several representatives attended the <strong>Western Range mine site for its official opening<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The guest list included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stausholm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rio Tinto iron ore CEO Simon Trott<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baowu Resources chairman Shi Bing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baowu Group chairman Hu Wangming<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>WA Premier Roger Cook<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation board chairwoman Robyn Hayden<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yinhawangka Traditional Owners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe opening of Western Range is a significant achievement, and its importance to Western Australia\u2019s economy cannot be overstated,\u201d Cook said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy government will continue to back in our resources industry, which is creating quality jobs for Western Australians while helping us maintain the standard of life we all enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">King echoed similar sentiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe opening of Western Range is fantastic news for the Pilbara, for Western Australians, for Traditional Owners and for the nation,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Pilbara is the engine room of the nation\u2019s economy. Projects like Western Range will keep that engine running for future generations of Australians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Western Range is Rio Tinto\u2019s first project to feature a co-designed social, cultural and heritage management plan (SCHMP) with the Yinhawangka Traditional Owners, which was originally announced in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor Yinhawangka People, Country is everything \u2013 it holds our spirit, our law, and our deep responsibility to protect what was passed down to us,\u201d Hayden said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe opening of the Western Range mine represents a shift in how our heritage is being recognised and respected. We acknowledge the work Rio Tinto has done to change how they engage with us, and the steps they\u2019ve taken to build a stronger, more honest partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is a meaningful beginning \u2013 and we stand ready to walk forward together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Subscribe to&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.australianmining.com.au\/newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Australian Mining<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Olivia Thomson The Western Range operation in WA. Image: Rio Tinto Rio Tinto has officially opened its Western Range operation in Western Australia, joining the major miner\u2019s integrated network of 17 iron ore mines, four independent port terminals, a rail network spanning nearly 2000km and related infrastructure. A 54:46 joint venture between Rio Tinto and &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/06\/rio-tintos-western-range-opens-its-doors\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Rio Tinto\u2019s Western Range opens its doors&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mines-and-quarry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p83F9T-2kO","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8187,"url":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/12\/stausholm-reflects-on-150-years-of-rio-tinto\/","url_meta":{"origin":8978,"position":0},"title":"Stausholm reflects on 150 years of Rio Tinto","author":"yinghui","date":"April 12, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Rio Tinto's Gudai-Darri mine in Western Australia. Established in 1873, Rio Tinto has become\u00a0the world\u2019s second-largest mining company, and chief executive Jakob Stausholm recently took time to reflect on the group\u2019s legacy. Rio Tinto was founded when a group of investors purchased a mine complex on the Rio Tinto river\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Clients&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Clients","link":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/category\/clients\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3142,"url":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/2018\/08\/01\/rio-tinto-takes-key-step-towards-first-intelligent-mine\/","url_meta":{"origin":8978,"position":1},"title":"Rio Tinto takes key step towards first \u2018intelligent\u2019 mine","author":"yinghui","date":"August 1, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Rio Tinto has approved $US146 million ($197 million) in preliminary funding for the Koodaideri iron ore project in the Pilbara region, Western Australia. The miner plans to develop Koodaideri into\u00a0its first\u00a0\u201cintelligent\u201d operation by including the latest in high-tech advances in the industry and by using an increased level of automation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Mines and Quarry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Mines and Quarry","link":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/category\/mines-and-quarry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2066,"url":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/2016\/12\/21\/rio-tinto-awards-iron-ore-contract-to-decmil\/","url_meta":{"origin":8978,"position":2},"title":"Rio Tinto awards iron ore contract to Decmil","author":"yinghui","date":"December 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Perth-based mining contractor Decmil has secured a new contract at Rio Tinto\u2019s iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The $40 million contract will see Decmil design, construct and commission new facilities at the Nammuldi and Silvergrass mines. The project scope also includes modifications and extensions to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Clients&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Clients","link":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/category\/clients\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3124,"url":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/2018\/07\/19\/rio-tinto-awards-pilbara-conveyor-contract-to-fenner-dunlop\/","url_meta":{"origin":8978,"position":3},"title":"Rio Tinto awards Pilbara conveyor contract to Fenner Dunlop","author":"yinghui","date":"July 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Fenner Dunlop has secured a permanent contract with Rio Tinto to provide conveyor maintenance services at the Cape Lambert and Dampier Ports in Western Australia. The long-term agreement is expected to create more than 40 full-time jobs. It will see Fenner Dunlop service all of the conveyors at the Pilbara\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Clients&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Clients","link":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/category\/clients\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":831,"url":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/2015\/02\/11\/rio-tinto-iron-ore-to-cut-costs-across-all-sites\/","url_meta":{"origin":8978,"position":4},"title":"Rio Tinto iron ore to cut costs across all sites","author":"yinghui","date":"February 11, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Rio Tinto\u2019s iron ore business is set to engage in a heavy cost cutting campaign, involving renegotiation of service contracts, reduction of scheduled maintenance task times, and changes to staff pay which will \u201creflect market conditions\u201d. An internal document leaked to Australian Mining this week showed Rio Tinto iron ore\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Mines and Quarry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Mines and Quarry","link":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/category\/mines-and-quarry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2587,"url":"https:\/\/yinghuiinternational.com\/index.php\/2017\/12\/12\/rio-tinto-launches-far-north-queensland-recruitment-drive\/","url_meta":{"origin":8978,"position":5},"title":"Rio Tinto launches Far North Queensland recruitment drive","author":"yinghui","date":"December 12, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Rio Tinto is seeking more than 100 workers\u00a0for a variety of roles at its bauxite operations in Far North Queensland. 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