Name and Location
Hope Downs 4 iron-ore project, Australia.

Client
Rio Tinto and its JV partner, Hope Downs Iron Ore.

Project Description
The Hope Downs 4 iron-ore project will link with Rio Tinto's existing rail, power and port infrastructure in the Pilbara region, in Western Australia.

The new opencut mine will have a capacity of 15-million tons of high-quality iron-ore a year and will include a permanent staff village for more than 600 personnel, mine dewatering, an opencut shovel and truck mining fleet and wet ore processing infrastructure.

The project also includes the construction of a 53 km of rail line, connecting the existing Hope Down 1 rail for the ore transportation.

At full capacity, Hope Downs 4 will increase total output of the Hope Downs operation to 30-million tons a year.

The project orebody has proved reserves of 73-million tons at 63,0% iron (Fe) and probable reserves of 64-million tons at 63.2% Fe.

Value
$1.6-billion.

Duration
First production is expected in 2013.

Latest Developments
The construction of the Hope Downs 4 project is nearing completion, with first ore leaving the mine on April 23.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
KBR (engineering, procurement and construction management contract), Monadelphus Group (construction contractor, offering structural, mechanical and piping services), Ngarda Civil and Mining (civil and earthworks), Calibre Rail (construction of rail extension).

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto principal adviser, media relations tel +61 (0) 3 9283 3612  or email media.enquiries@riotinto.com.
KBR, tel +61 713 753 3800 or email MediaRelations@KBR.com.
Monadelphus Group, tel +61 8 9316 1255, fax +61 8 9316 1950 or email monadel@monadel.com.au.
Ngarda Civil and Mining, tel Tel: +61 8 6272 5000 or fax +61 8 6272 5099.
Calibre Rail, tel +61 8 9265 3000 or fax +61 8 9265 4000.