Production & reserves
Iron ore
(Rio Tinto interest 100% unless otherwise shown)
| Mine | Location | Access | Title/lease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamersley Iron Brockman Marandoo Mount Tom Price Nammuldi Paraburdoo Yandicoogina Channar (60%) Eastern Range (54%) |
Hamersley Ranges, Western Australia | Railway and port (owned by Hamersley Iron and operated by Pilbara Iron) | Agreements for life of mine with Government of Western Australia |
| Hope Downs Joint Venture (50% mine, 100% infrastructure) Hope Downs 1 |
Pilbara region, Western Australia | Railway owned and operated by Rio Tinto | Agreements for life of mine with Government of Western Australia |
| Iron Ore Company of Canada (59%) | Labrador City, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador | Railway and port facilities in Sept-Iles, Quebec (owned and operated by IOC) | Sublease with the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Fund which has lease agreements with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador that are due to be renewed in 2020 and 2022 |
| Rio Tinto Brasil Corumbá |
Matto Grosso do Sul, Brazil | Road, air and river | Government licence for undetermined period |
| Robe River Iron Associates (53%) Mesa J West Angelas |
Pilbara region, Western Australia | Railway and port (owned by Robe River and operated by Pilbara Iron) | Agreements for life of mine with Government of Western Australia |
| Dampier Salt (68.4%) | Dampier, Lake MacLeod and Port Hedland, Western Australia | Road and port | State agreements (mining leases) expiring in 2013 at Dampier, 2018 at Port Hedland and 2021 at Lake MacLeod with options to renew in each case |
| Mine | History | Type of mine | Power source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamersley Iron Brockman Marandoo Mount Tom Price Nammuldi Paraburdoo Yandicoogina Channar (60%) Eastern Range (54%) |
Annual capacity increased to 68 million tonnes during 1990s. Yandicoogina first ore shipped in 1999 and port capacity increased. Eastern Range started 2004. Total production in 2008 was 125 million tonnes including Hope Downs | Open pit | Supplied through the integrated Hamersley and Robe power network operated by Pilbara Iron |
| Hope Downs Joint Venture (50% mine, 100% infrastructure) Hope Downs 1 |
Joint venture between Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting Pty Limited. Construction of Stage 1 to 22 million tonnes per annum commenced April 2006 and first production occurred November 2007. Stage 2 to 30 million tonnes per annum has been approved and is forecast to be completed by Q1 2009 | Open pit | Supplied through the integrated Hamersley and Robe power network operated by Pilbara Iron |
| Iron Ore Company of Canada (59%) | Current operation began in 1962 and has processed over one billion tonnes of crude ore since. Annual capacity 17.5 million tonnes of concentrate of which 13.5 million tonnes can be pelletised | Open pit | Supplied by Newfoundland Hydro under long term contract |
| Rio Tinto Brasil Corumbá |
Iron ore production started in 1978; interest acquired in 1991 | Open pit | Supplied by ENERSUL |
| Robe River Iron Associates (53%) Mesa J West Angelas |
First shipment in 1972. Annual sales reached 30 million tonnes in late 1990s. Interest acquired in 2000 through North. West Angelas first ore shipped in 2002 and mine expanded in 2005. Current sales now more than 50 million tonnes per year | Open pit | Supplied through the integrated Hamersley and Robe power network operated by Pilbara Iron |
| Dampier Salt (68.4%) | Construction of the Dampier field started in 1969; first shipment in 1972. Lake MacLeod was acquired in 1978 as an operating field. Port Hedland was acquired in 2001 as an operating field. | Solar evaporation of seawater (Dampier and Port Hedland) and underground brine (Lake MacLeod); dredging of gypsum from surface of Lake MacLeod | Dampier supply from Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd; Lake MacLeod from Western Power and on site generation units; Port Hedland from Western Power |