Robe River JV to invest $733m to extend Western Australia iron ore mine
(Posted on 08/10/25)
Rio Tinto, Mitsui and Nippon Steel will invest $733 million1 (Rio Tinto share $389 million) to develop the West Angelas Sustaining Project, part of the Robe River Joint Venture in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The project, to develop new iron ore deposits in the West Angelas hub, has now received all necessary State and Federal Government approvals.
The deposits will maintain the West Angelas hub’s total annual production capacity of 35 million tonnes, extending mining activity for years to come.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Matthew Holcz said: "The West Angelas Sustaining Project is built on strong and committed partnerships, both with the joint venture members Mitsui and Nippon Steel, as well as the Yinhawangka and Ngarlawangga Peoples.
"The West Angelas hub has been an integral part of Rio Tinto Iron Ore since 2002. Securing these approvals ensures ongoing investment in the hub as we continue to supply high-quality, reliable iron ore to meet our global customers' demand now and into the future."
Rio Tinto worked closely with the Yinhawangka and Ngarlawangga Peoples to co-design Social Cultural Heritage Management Plans for the West Angelas Sustaining Project to ensure the ongoing protection and management of cultural heritage and the environment.
The project will leverage existing West Angelas processing infrastructure and includes the construction of new non-process infrastructure precincts and 22-kilometres of haul roads.
Ore mined at the new deposits will be autonomously trucked to the West Angelas hub, with first ore scheduled for 2027.
About 600 jobs will be created during construction. Once operational, the project will help sustain a workforce of about 950 full time equivalent roles at the West Angelas hub.
The West Angelas Sustaining Project is part of Rio Tinto’s tranche of replacement projects that underpin the company’s ongoing commitment to the Pilbara, and which will have combined total capacity of about 130Mtpa2.
Additionally, work is well progressed on the pre-feasibility study for Rhodes Ridge, one of the world’s largest and highest quality undeveloped iron ore deposits, which is targeting an initial capacity of up to 40Mtpa and first ore by 2030.
Latest News
Simandou partners celebrate start of operations
(Posted on 15/11/25)The President of the Republic of Guinea has joined project partners WCS1, Baowu, Chinalco and Rio Tinto... Read more
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
