On the morning of June 6 local time, the Western Range iron ore project (Western Range), jointly developed by Baowu and Rio Tinto Group, was fully completed and put into operation, marking the full-scale operational phase of this major Sino-Australian resource cooperation project.The designed annual capacity of the Western Range iron ore mine is 25 million mt, providing a 20-year resource guarantee for the Paraburdoo mining hub.The first batch of ore from the project was processed through the production system of the Western Range project by the end of March this year.
With a total investment of US$2 billion, the Western Range iron ore project was jointly developed by Rio Tinto (with a 54% stake) and China Baowu (with a 46% stake), and was completed on time and within budget. The project construction included a primary crushing station and an 18-kilometer conveyor system connecting it to the existing beneficiation plant in Paraburdoo.
Hu Wangming, Chairman of China Baowu Group, attended and delivered a speech at the inauguration ceremony held in Western Australia, Australia. Hon Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia; Madeline King, Australian Minister for Resources; Long Dingbin, Chinese Consul General in Perth; Gao Feng, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Australia; Shi Bing, Chairman of Baowu Resources Co., Ltd.; Jakob Stausholm, CEO of Rio Tinto Group; Simon Trott, CEO of Rio Tinto's Iron Ore business; as well as representatives from the government and the joint venture company, jointly attended this significant event. Robyn Hayden (née Tommy), Chairperson of the Board of the Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation, attended the inauguration ceremony alongside several Yinhawangka Traditional Owners.
Roger Cook stated that the inauguration of the Western Range iron ore mine is a significant milestone, with great significance for the economic development of Western Australia. Our government will continue to support the development of the resources industry, as it not only creates high-quality jobs for the people of Western Australia but also safeguards our standard of living.
Madeline King stated that the inauguration of the Western Range iron ore mine is exciting news for the Pilbara region, Western Australia, Traditional Owners, and the entire nation. The Pilbara is the engine of Australia's economy, and projects like Western Range will ensure that this engine continues to drive Australia's future.
The partnership between Rio Tinto and Baowu in the Pilbara region dates back to 2002, when the two parties established the Bao-HI Joint Venture to jointly develop the East Range iron ore mine in the Hamersley Ranges.
Hu Wangming stated that the success of the Western Range project is not only a milestone in Sino-Australian resource cooperation but also a vivid portrayal of collaboration among multiple parties to overcome challenges. The Western Range project is not only a core fulcrum in the global resource deployment of China Baowu and Rio Tinto Group, but also a model project for China-Australia economic and trade cooperation. The exploration by Baowu and Rio Tinto in areas such as green and low-carbon development and collaborative innovation has not only set a benchmark for the industry but also contributed wisdom and strength to the sustainable development of global resources. We are willing to work hand in hand with the Western Australian government, Indigenous communities, and partners from all walks of life to build an inclusive and sustainable cooperation ecosystem. We will also continue to fulfill our corporate responsibilities, drive industrial upgrading through technological innovation, and inject new momentum into regional prosperity and the stability of the global industry chain.
Jakob Stausholm stated that the commissioning of the Western Range iron ore project is an important step for Rio Tinto to extend its mining layout in the Pilbara region. It also brings a more promising future to Paraburdoo, one of our earliest mining centers that has been in operation since 1972. I am particularly proud of our cooperation with the Yinhawangka people on the Western Range project, and we will continue to maintain close cooperation in the future. Our cooperation with Baowu ensures that our largest customer can directly benefit from the stable and exclusive supply of Rio Tinto's world-leading Pilbara Blend ore.
It is understood that the Western Range iron ore project is one of a series of mine replacement projects being advanced by Rio Tinto in the Pilbara region, with a total annual capacity of approximately 130 million mt for this series of projects. In addition to the investment in the Brockman Syncline 1 project (US$1.8 billion) announced on March 6, 2025, the development work for the Hope Downs 1 and West Angelas maintenance projects is also in the approval process. Over the next three years (2025-2027), Rio Tinto expects to invest more than US$13 billion in new mine development, plants, and equipment. Over the past three years (2022-2024), Rio Tinto has already invested approximately US$8.5 billion in the Pilbara region. Rio Tinto is also advancing the pre-feasibility study for the Rhodes Ridge project, which is one of the world's largest undeveloped high-grade iron ore deposits, with a planned initial annual capacity of 40 million mt and a target to commence production before 2030.
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