Robe River

Rio Tinto operates and owns 53 per cent of the Robe River joint venture in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Robe River is one of the world's lowest cost iron ore operations and the world's fourth largest seaborne trader in iron ore and sells primarily into Japan, Europe and Asia. Robe River has resources between three and four billion tonnes containing greater than 57 per cent iron - enough to last 100 years at current production levels. The major deposit currently being mined is Mesa J near Pannawonica and comprises an open pit mine, ore processing plant producing lump and fines ore, stockpiles, reclaimer and train loading facilities, which take ore to Robe River's ore processing and port facilities at Cape Lambert. Robe River employs approximately 800 people.