PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining giant Rio Tinto has awarded a A$9.9-million contract to civil and mining contractor Brierty at its West Angelas iron-ore mine, in Western Australia.
Brierty and its joint venture partner Karlayura Construction Services would construct 11 km of access roads to the West Angelas mine site, with the work including a pavement upgrade to the main access road, village and airport access roads, and the construction of new access roads at the mine site.
The eight-month project would start in April.
Last month, the Western Australian government approved the A$880-million expansion of Rio’s Pilbara operation, which included a A$680-million expansion of the West Angelas mine from 29-million tonnes a year to 35-million tonnes a year.
The expansion would extend the mine life by about 13 years and would create more than 290 new jobs in the Pilbara during construction, while the ongoing operational workforce would increase by some 200, to a total of 1 300.