Rio Tinto is ramping up work in the Pilbara region of Australia. The mining giant has pledged US$200 million in funding for its iron ore operations expansion in Western Australia's Pilbara region.
This is the first major expansion project that the company has approved after the mining tax issue was defused.
Sam Walsh, the Rio Tinto iron ore CEO said that while the decision of the government to abandon the Resource Super Profits Tax (RSPT) was a major step forward, the company is still proceeding with caution over what legislation will finally be put in place.
Meanwhile as part of the massive iron ore project expansion, dredging contracts will be issued as part of early works on the Cape Lambert port expansion. The proposed expansion of the port will allow it to export 330 million tonnes of coal per year.
Mr. Walsh said that Rio Tinto has a proven track record of managing large scale iron ore expansion projects and this decision should be seen in that light.