Rio Tinto focuses on local content for A$70m port facilities upgrade

Rio Tinto has announced an almost A$70m upgrade to its bulk handling facilities at East Intercourse Island in the Port of Dampier. The project includes the manufacture, installation and commissioning of three replacement stackers and associated equipment.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Chris Salisbury said the project will maintain our portfolio of world-class assets in Dampier.

"I’m pleased to announce a significant proportion of the design, fabrication and installation work will be completed here in Western Australia, creating jobs at every stage of the project.

"We look forward to using these new, locally made machines to help deliver iron ore to our markets for many decades to come," Chris said.

97 per cent of labour for the project will be sourced from Western Australia with three quarters of the heavy machinery to be wholly made within Australia.

The Project is expected to create up to 150 local jobs including 30 jobs based in the Pilbara to prepare the site and install the equipment.

The contracts for site establishment work, quality assurance and engineering inspections will be made available to West Australian businesses.

Together with Thyssenkrupp, Rio Tinto will identify additional work which can include Western Australia, Pilbara and Aboriginal businesses.

Thyssenkrupp Australia will manufacture, assemble and fabricate the stackers required for the refurbishment before transporting the 1860 tonnes of stacker weight to the Pilbara.

This announcement supports Rio Tinto’s commitment to build on the 77 per cent of supply spend attributed to West Australian suppliers.

Design and fabrication work is expected to commence in 2018, with installation and commissioning anticipated in late 2020. 

Notes to editors

Over the past 7 years Rio Tinto has spent A$57 billion with Western Australian businesses.

In May 2017, after more than 50 years in the Pilbara, Rio Tinto shipped its five billionth tonne of Iron Ore.

Rio Tinto’s local procurement programme incorporates the following components:

• A new online procurement portal which enables businesses to register interest and view upcoming procurement opportunities well in advance.
• A team of local procurement specialists, dedicated to analysing work opportunities and identifying local procurement opportunities.
• Increased collaboration with major suppliers to raise awareness of opportunities with these suppliers for local businesses.
• Partnering with small business development specialists to provide training and mentoring support to selected businesses who need assistance to effectively compete for tenders.