Name of the Project
Amrun (formerly South of Embley) bauxite project.

Location
Queensland, Australia.

Client
Rio Tinto.

Project Description
The project involves the expansion of output from one of the world’s premier bauxite deposits on the Cape York Peninsula, in north Queensland.

The planned initial output is 22.8-million tonnes a year, replacing production from the depleting East Weipa mine and increasing yearly bauxite exports from Cape York by an estimated ten-million tonnes. The project’s design provides options for future expansion to 50-million tonnes a year.

Jobs to be Created
Once operational, the Amrun project will support the continued employment of the current 1 400-strong workforce based in Weipa, as well as more than 2 000 employees based at the Yarwun and Queensland aluminium refineries, in Gladstone, which are fed with bauxite from Cape York.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
A$2.6-billion. The bulk of the capital expenditure for the Amrun project is scheduled for 2017 and 2018.

Duration
Production and shipping are expected to start in the first half of 2019, ramping up to full production by the end of that year.

Latest Developments
Rio Tinto has awarded a A$70-million bulk earthworks contract to Queensland-based civil engineering firm QBrit for work at its Amrun project.

The project will produce at an initial rate of 22.8-million tonnes a year, with the option to expand to up to 50-million tonnes a year, with first output targeted for 2019.

Since being declared a prescribed project, Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General has been monitoring all approvals the proponent requires and facilitating the timely delivery of approval processes.

The Coordinator-General has also approved a number of key change requests from the proponent.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto, email amrun.enquiries@riotinto.com.