Western Range iron ore mine marks a new beginning, says Rio Tinto CEO

Rio Tinto (LSE/ASX: RIO) chief executive officer Stausholm was in Western Australia’s Pilbara region Friday, attending the opening of the company’s new Western Range iron ore mine.

Stausholm said the opening of the $2 billion Western Range mine represented a new beginning following the scandal surrounding the company’s destruction of the culturally significant  Juukan Gorge caves in 2020.

It is also Rio’s first project to feature a co-designed social, cultural and heritage management plan with Traditional Owners.

“I could not be more proud of seeing how we have worked in deep partnership with the Yinhawangka People,” Stausholm said at the event.

“It’s a new way of working together, really taking the guidance from them on how we develop the mines of the future, applying new technology, applying our safe production system and new RFID cap lamps.”

Western Range is a joint venture between Rio (54%) and China’s Baowu (46%) and comprised the construction of a primary crusher and 18km-long conveyer system to the existing Paraburdoo plant.

The mine will produce up to 25 million tonnes per annum of iron ore and secures the future of the Paraburdoo hub for up to 20 years.

Western Range is the first of $13 billion of replacement mines planned for Rio’s Pilbara iron ore business.

The world’s second largest miner is not alone. BHP, Fortescue and Hancock Prospecting are also preparing to replace aging mines.

Meanwhile, the push toward green iron, championed by Fortescue’s Andrew Forrest, adds another layer of opportunity.

August 2026 will mark 60 years since the first shipment of iron ore  left the Pilbara for Japan. It may have been built on the past, but the Pilbara looks set to shape the future.