Rio Tinto to increase Gudai-Darri production capacity to 50mtpa

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) is aiming to increase production capacity at Gudai-Darri — its newest iron ore mine — to 50mtpa at a cost of $130m.

Located in the Pilbara region in WA, the Gudai-Darri mine began production last year and reached its planned annual capacity of 43mt in less than 12 months from first ore.

This capacity increase will be achieved through upgrades within the plant including chutes and conveyor belts, as well as an existing incremental crushing and screening facility already on site.

The larger operation will require additional mining fleet including haul trucks, diggers and a small expansion of the product stockyards, however, the capacity increase is subject to environmental, heritage and other relevant approvals.

Rio Tinto iron ore managing director of Pilbara mines Matthew Holcz commented on the expansion.

“What we have learnt during the rapid ramp-up of Gudai-Darri has given us the confidence to find better ways to increase capacity at our newest and most technologically advanced mine,” he said.

“Rather than taking a capital-intensive approach to replicate existing infrastructure, we have now identified a low-capital pathway to creep capacity to 50mtpa.”

Gudai-Darri hosts a suite of technological innovations including autonomous trucks and drills, the world’s first autonomous water carts, autonomous trains, Rio’s first rotable bucketwheel reclaimer, robotic ore sampling laboratory, paperless field mobility, digital assets and a solar farm.