News

Rio Tinto Announces $77 Million Pre-Feasibility Study for Rhodes Ridge Iron Ore Project

James L. Flint

• December 04, 2023

Rio Tinto has given the green light for a $77 million pre-feasibility study on the Rhodes Ridge iron ore project in Western Australia's Pilbara region. This significant development has the potential to support Rio Tinto's extensive iron ore operations in the area for many years to come.

Rhodes Ridge is recognized as one of the world's most promising untapped iron ore deposits. The completion of the pre-feasibility study is anticipated by the end of 2025, with initial production expected before the end of the decade.

An earlier order of magnitude study suggested that the mining operation at Rhodes Ridge could have an initial capacity of up to 40 million metric tons annually. Looking ahead, Rio Tinto envisions the possibility of establishing a world-class mining hub, capable of producing over 100 million tons of top-quality iron ore per year.

Simon Trott, Head of Rio Tinto's iron ore business, emphasized the vast potential of this resource, stating, "Longer term, the resource could support a world-class mining hub with a potential capacity of more than 100 million tons of high-quality iron ore a year."

This latest development signifies yet another milestone for Rio Tinto on its path towards maximizing the potential of the Rhodes Ridge iron ore project.