Name of the Project
Western Turner syncline iron-ore project.

Location
Australia.

Client
Hamersley Iron, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto.

Project Description
Hamersley is proposing a change to the approved Western Turner syncline iron-ore project, which incorporates:
• the Western Turner syncline Section 10 iron-ore project, which includes an above-water-table opencut mine and a link to the existing Tom Price mine operation, with an infrastructure corridor; and
• the Western Turner syncline Stage 2 – B1 and Section 17 deposits for an above- and below-water-table opencut mine and associated infrastructure.

The proposal includes the following additional components:
• above- and below-water-table extension of the approved Section 10 BRK pit,
• development of the above-water-table Section 10 BRK West pit;
• the development of the above- and below-water-table Section 10 MM East and MM West pits; and
• the discharge of surplus mine dewatering into the northern branch of the Hardey river.

Jobs to be Created
Forty jobs are expected to be created during construction.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
Rio is expected to spend about A$18-million on construction.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The West Australian government has given mining major Rio Tinto approval to develop its Western Turner syncline mine.
Production capacity at Western Turner Syncline is currently between 25-million and 30-million tonnes a year. The development approval ensures that Rio can maintain this level of production by bringing new sources of ore on line.

Works covered by the approval include the development of deposits to the north and west of the existing mining operation, and associated works such as the construction of haul roads, site access roads, storage areas and water treatment facilities.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto, tel +61 3 9283 3333 or fax +61 3 9283 3707.