Photo by: © Reuters
Name of the Project
Pilbara rail manufacturing facility.
Location
Pilbara, in Australia.
Project Owner/s
Rio Tinto and Gemco Rail.
Project Description
This partnership will enable Gemco Rail to expand its existing operations to establish the first iron-ore rail car manufacturing and maintenance facility in the Pilbara.
The first 40 ore cars will be built at Gemco Rail’s existing facility in Forrestfield while the company establishes an additional facility in Karratha.
In an industry-first, the new Karratha facility will also support the supply of new and reconditioned ore car bearings from the Pilbara. The facility will reduce the need to transport iron-ore cars and bearings between the Pilbara and Perth, removing an estimated 150 truck journeys from Western Australian roads and 300 t of carbon dioxide a year.
Once this new facility is operational, Gemco Rail is expected to build an average of ten ore cars a year, replacing ore cars as they are retired from Rio Tinto’s existing fleet.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
Not stated.
Planned Start/End Date
The first Western Australia-built rail car is expected to be delivered in 2024 and the Karratha-based facility is expected to be established by the end of 2024, subject to the availability of a suitable property.
Latest Developments
None stated.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto, tel +44 20 7781 2000 or email media.enquiries@riotinto.com.
Gemco Rail, tel +61 8 9365 6901.