Hope Downs 4 Iron Ore Mine in Western Australia Nears Completion

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Australia (Perth, Australia)--The Hope Downs 4 iron ore project in Western Australia is nearing completion, with first ore leaving the mine site in April 2013. The mine and processing plant is about 35 kilometres northwest of the mining town of Newman, with a fly-in-fly-out workforce. The project was developed as a 50:50 joint venture between Rio Tinto Iron Ore (NYSE:RIO) and Hancock Prospecting Pty Limited.

The $1.6 billion investment involves the construction of an iron ore mine and processing plant, with a capacity to produce an estimated 15 million tons per year of ore. The project also involves the construction of 53 kilometres of long rail line, named the Lang Hancock rail extension, connecting the existing Hope Downs 1 rail for the ore transportation. At full capacity, Hope Downs 4 will bring the total output of the Hope Downs operation to 30 million T/yr.

The project was handled by Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Limited (Houston, Texas), which performed engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services. Rio Tinto appointed Monadelphous Group (ASX:MND) (Perth) as construction contractor, offering structural, mechanical and piping (SMP) services. Ngarda Civil and Mining Pty Limited was awarded the contract for civil and earthworks, including pre-strip, road works, drainage, stockyards, train load-out and other common services.

Calibre Rail Pty Limited was appointed the EPC for the construction of the rail extension. The scope of work included construction of two 120-metre-long bridges, five level crossings, haul roads, and drainage and flood protection structures. The rail project also included the small duplication of an existing rail at Tom Price, including workshops and a 120-man accommodation camp for the construction staff. The rail project is currently in its final commissioning phase and will be handed over by the end of May 2013.

With the completion of the Hope Downs 4 project and other projects in the development phase in Pilbara, Rio Tinto plans to target a total annual production of 360 million tonnes by 2015. Rio's Project Manager, Jacques Van Tonder, expects the final completion of Hope Downs 4 by the end of August 2013.

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