Gudai-Darri is our newest and most technologically advanced iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

Located about 110 kilometres north-west of Newman, the site sits on the traditional lands of the Banjima and Yinjibarndi peoples.

The $3.1 billion mine began production in 2022 and reached its planned annual capacity of 43 million tonnes in less than 12 months. We are now planning to increase capacity to 50 million tonnes per year through incremental upgrades, including chutes, conveyors and additional crushing facilities.

Gudai-Darri sets new benchmarks for safety, efficiency and sustainability, with more than 70 design innovations and a large-scale solar farm that will supply about one-third of the mine’s electricity needs.

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Look inside a mine of the future

Our most intelligent mine yet is pioneering new mining technologies

Innovation at Gudai-Darri

Gudai-Darri is a global leader in mining automation and digital technology.

Key innovations include:

  • Autonomous fleet: 26 CAT 793F autonomous haul trucks and five autonomous drills, all monitored remotely from Perth, 1,500 kilometres away
  • World-first autonomous water carts: developed with Caterpillar, these vehicles use AI to detect dust and spray water automatically
  • AutoHaul™ rail network: the world’s first fully autonomous heavy-haul rail system
  • Robotic laboratory: fully automated ore sampling for faster, higher-quality analysis
  • Digital twin: a 3D model of the site for planning, maintenance and virtual reality training
  • Rotable bucketwheel reclaimer: a patented design that improves safety and efficiency during maintenance
  • Paperless operations: tablets for all team members, providing real-time data access in the field

Reducing our emissions

Gudai-Darri features a solar farm with 83,000 panels and a capacity of 34MW, expected to supply about one-third of the mine’s electricity demand. This reduces reliance on diesel-generated power and supports Rio Tinto’s decarbonisation goals.

Future plans include introducing battery-electric and zero-emission autonomous haul trucks, reinforcing Gudai-Darri’s role as a pioneer in low-carbon mining.

Working with communities

Gudai-Darri was developed in close partnership with Traditional Owners and local communities.

We continue to invest in community programs, training and employment opportunities, and procurement from local businesses. Our engagement includes cultural heritage management and initiatives that support education and economic development in the Pilbara.

Managing our impact

Protecting the environment and cultural heritage is central to Gudai-Darri’s operations.

We work with Traditional Owners to manage heritage sites and ensure cultural values are respected. Environmental initiatives include dust suppression using autonomous water carts and progressive rehabilitation of land to restore ecosystems after mining.

Aerial of Brockman 4

Brockman

Located on the lands of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura and Muntulgura Guruma Peoples in the Western Pilbara
Cape Lambert

Cape Lambert

Cape Lambert has two terminals, Cape Lambert A and B, with approximately 4 ships loaded per day
Aerial of Greater Hope Downs

Greater Hope Downs

Greater Hope Downs are strategically located near Newman, leveraging the Hamersley Range which is home to around 80% of Australia’s identified iron ore reserves
Aerial of Greater Nammuldi

Greater Nammuldi

Greater Nammuldi includes Brockman 2, Nammuldi, and Silvergrass mines, located about 100 kilometres north-west of Tom Price
Aerial of Paraburdoo

Greater Paraburdoo

Greater Paraburdoo includes our Eastern Range, Channar, Paraburdoo and Western Range projects
Gudai-Darri

Gudai-Darri

Gudai-Darri is our newest and most technologically advanced iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region
Aerial of Rhodes Ridge

Rhodes Ridge

Rhodes Ridge is one of the world’s best undeveloped iron ore deposits
Aerial of Robe Valley

Robe Valley

Robe Valley comprises two key iron ore mining sites: Mesa A and Mesa J
Aerial of Tom Price

Tom Price Marandoo

The Greater Tom Price hub includes Tom Price, Marandoo, Western Turner Syncline 1 and 2
West Angelas

West Angelas

West Angelas is one of our most technologically advanced iron ore operations in the Pilbara
Aerial of Yandicoogina

Yandicoogina

Yandicoogina produces unique Hamersley Iron Yandi (HIY) fines, contributing significantly to the Pilbara Blend

Latest Iron Ore Western Australia releases

Sunset at Cable Beach, Broome

Western Australia towns and services

Our housing portfolio covers the towns of Dampier, Karratha, Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica
Wickham Playgroup

Western Australia communities

By working together with our community partners, we strive to make a lasting positive impact with the people and communities where we operate and where our employees live and work

Gudai-Darri

Gudai-Darri EPBC Compliance Reports
Gudai-Darri EPBC Compliance Report 2024
PDF
353 KB
Gudai-Darri EPBC Compliance Report 2023
PDF
342 KB
Gudai-Darri EPBC Compliance Report 2022
PDF
248 KB
Gudai-Darri EPBC Compliance Report 2021
PDF
366 KB
Gudai-Darri EPBC Compliance Report 2020
PDF
336 KB
Gudai-Darri EPBC Compliance Report 2019
PDF
202 KB
Gudai-Darri Management Plans
Gudai-Darri Leaf-Nosed Bat Management Plan
PDF
20.19 MB
Gudai-Darri Northern Quoll Management Plan
PDF
2.48 MB

Gudai-Darri Operations

Munjina Roy Hill Road

Newman

WA 6753

Australia


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