$749m boost for Pilbara
IT seems Rio Tinto is getting into the Christmas spirit, announcing a $749m (or A$1b) investment in its existing Greater Tom Price operations to help sustain the production capacity of its world-class iron ore business in the Pilbara. The hub includes Tom Price, Western Turner Syncline Phase 1 (WTS1) and Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 (WTS2) satellite hubs, with main investment in WTS2 expected to facilitate mining of existing and new deposits, and includes construction of a new crusher as well as a 13-kilometre conveyor. The new conveyor system will help lower greenhouse gas emissions from the mine by 3.5pc compared to road haulage and, pending final government approvals, is expected to start construction in early 2020 with first ore…