Rio to inject $2.8bn into Brockman expansion

Rio Tinto is looking to unlock an additional 34 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of iron ore from its Brockman hub in the Pilbara.

This will see the major miner invest $US1.8 billion ($2.84 billion) into the Brockman Syncline 1 project, with a new primary crusher, overland conveyor and a non-process infrastructure precinct to be built.

Construction is expected to commence this year, with first ore scheduled in 2027 – a year ahead of schedule.

“Brockman 4 produced 43 million tonnes of iron ore in 2024,” Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said. “Securing this project extends the life of the Brockman hub.

“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.”

The Brockman Syncline 1 project forms part of Rio Tinto’s efforts to bring replacement projects online, targeting a total annual capacity of 130Mtpa, offsetting the 19Mt of production depletion expected in 2025 and the 5–10Mt of production depletion expected in 2026 and 2027.

More than 90 per cent complete, the Western Range mine is expected to commence production in the coming months, while the Hope Downs 1 and West Angelas sustaining projects are progressing through approvals.

Mitsui & Co. recently purchased a 40 per cent stake in Rio Tinto’s Rhodes Ridge iron ore project, another replacement project set to produce 40Mtpa of iron ore when operations commence.

Rhodes Ridge is one of the world’s largest untapped iron ore deposits, with a 6.8-billion-tonne mineral resource.

A pre-feasibility study for Rhodes Ridge is expected to be completed later this year, with a feasibility study to follow.

The development will leverage Rio Tinto’s rail, port, and power infrastructure and use existing infrastructure from the Robe River project – another Mitsui & Co. and Rio joint venture.