Rio Tinto has granted Perth-based company Mondium a contract valued at approximately A$400 million for the design and construction of the Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 (WTS2) mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Mondium will undertake all engineering and design, procurement and site construction works associated with the WTS2 development, including the process plant, overland conveyor and non-process infrastructure.
The work is expected to create 450 jobs starting in the first quarter of 2020 and is expected to be completed in 2021. Mondium and Rio Tinto will work closely to ensure the contract provides local and Indigenous employment as well as business opportunities in the region, according to Rio Tinto.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Officer Chris Salisbury said, “We’re committed to supporting WA businesses, buying locally and supporting our communities through the creation of jobs. We’re pleased to award this contract to Mondium who share those values.”
The WTS2 is part of Rio Tinto’s Greater Tom Price operations in the Pilbara. In November, a $749 million (A$1 billion) investment in the mine was approved. The investment will facilitate mining of existing and new deposits and includes construction of a new crusher as well as a 13-kilometer conveyor.