Rio Tinto to invest in Pilbara desalination plant
(Posted on 02/06/23)
Rio Tinto plans to invest US$395 million1 in a seawater desalination plant in the Pilbara, Western Australia, to support future water supply for the company’s coastal operations and communities in the region.
The proposed Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant, which remains subject to Commonwealth and State Government approvals, will be located within Rio Tinto’s existing iron ore port operations at Parker Point. It will have an initial nominal capacity of four gigalitres annually with the potential for this to increase to eight gigalitres in the future. The project includes construction of a new supply pipeline to connect to the existing water network.
Subject to relevant approvals, construction is expected to commence in 2024 with the facility expected to be operational and producing water in 2026. At the peak of construction, the project is expected to support approximately 300 jobs.
Rio Tinto have been engaging with all associated Traditional Owners and Custodians in relation to the project and would like to thank the Ngarluma people, on whose Traditional lands the plant will be constructed, and Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, who represent the five Traditional Owner groups in the region.
Water from the plant is planned to be transferred to the Water Corporation-owned and operated West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme, where it will be distributed to Rio Tinto’s coastal communities and operations.
The plant will be constructed on previously reclaimed land and will use reverse osmosis to filter salt and other impurities from ocean water. It will utilise existing infrastructure at the company’s Parker Point operations and is near the existing Water Corporation network, helping to minimise disturbance to the local environment.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott said, “We know that water is a scarce resource, particularly in the Pilbara. We are pleased that this desalination plant will help to secure future supply for Rio Tinto supplied communities in the West Pilbara as well as our coastal operations.”
The planned $395 million spend on the plant is included in the Group’s Sustaining Capital expenditure. The Group’s capital expenditure guidance of US$9 to $10 billion in both 2024 and 2025 remains unchanged.
Latest News
GSC launches mining advisory division, strengthening global investment capabilities
(Posted on 10/11/25)GSC (Global Strategic Commodities) has announced the launch of its dedicated mining advisory division... Read more
SSAB issues first green bonds amounting to SEK2,800m
(Posted on 10/11/25)SSAB AB has successfully issued its inaugural green bonds under its EUR 2 billion EMTN programme, dated... Read more
Anglo American publishes shareholder circular for merger with Teck
(Posted on 10/11/25)On 9 September 2025, Anglo American plc and Teck Resources Limited announced that they had reached an... Read more
Bunge closes agreement to acquire NWT grain elevator assets
(Posted on 04/11/25)Bunge has successfully closed its purchase agreement for the grain elevator assets of North West Terminal... Read more
NGFA applauds Senate committee for advancing Grain Standards Act reauthorisation
(Posted on 27/10/25)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the USA has applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee... Read more
Rio Tinto announces board changes.
(Posted on 24/10/25)As Rio Tinto previously reported, the size of its Board peaked at 14 Directors during a transitional... Read more
ADM advances quality capabilities with new central milling laboratory
(Posted on 24/10/25)ADM , a global leader in human and animal nutrition, has celebrated the opening of its new Central Milling... Read more
Bunge announces reporting segment changes and recast outlook
(Posted on 20/10/25)Bunge Global SA has announced that it has changed its segment and volume reporting to align with the... Read more
Open Trade Coalition calls for bold and open EU trade policy
(Posted on 20/10/25)As the European Parliament prepares for the confirmation hearings of the new Commissioners, the Open... Read more
Rio Tinto Q3 results show strong production across the portfolio
(Posted on 14/10/25)Multinational mining company, Rio Tinto, has releases its third quarter 2025 production results showing... Read more
