❓ Minister for State Development outlines the Liberal-National government's support for the iron ore sector through the approval of two state agreement proposals for Rio Tinto at Yandicoogina and West Angeles, highlighting investment, job creation, and technological advancements.
AnsweredQoN 363Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
IRON ORE MINING — STATE AGREEMENT PROPOSALS
363. Mr B.J. GRYLLS to the Minister for
State Development:
Can the minister please advise the house how
the Liberal–National government continues to support investment and
jobs in the iron ore sector?
363. Mr B.J. GRYLLS to the Minister for
State Development:
Can the minister please advise the house how
the Liberal–National government continues to support investment and
jobs in the iron ore sector?
AnswerView source ↗
Before I answer the question, I acknowledge the students from Loreto
Nedlands Primary School in my electorate who are in the gallery.
The member for Pilbara is a strong advocate for sustainable development
in the Pilbara. There is probably no person more outspoken than him. He
understands the importance of investment and jobs in the Pilbara.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected.
Mr W.R. MARMION : Just a little bit.
It is with great pleasure that I stand here today to report that the
Liberal–National government has approved two state agreement proposals
to develop new deposits at Yandicoogina and West Angeles for Rio Tinto. I have
given approval under the Iron Ore (Yandicoogina) Agreement Act 1996 for the Rio
Tinto company Hamersley Iron–Yandi Pty Ltd to mine and develop the
Oxbow deposit at Yandicoogina, which will extend the junction central, junction
south west and junction south east deposits so that operations can be sustained
at around 60 million tonnes per annum. The interesting thing about the
Yandicoogina mine is that it actually uses autonomous trucks. Rio has 69
autonomous trucks in the Pilbara, which helps make Western Australia one of the
cheapest producers of iron ore in the world. The autonomous trucks are operated
out of the company's operations at the airport, which means there is
less downtime and less risk of injuries to operators and gives iron ore
production in Western Australia an edge.
I was pleased to also approve under the Iron Ore (Robe River) Agreement
Act 1964 for Rio Tinto and its Japanese joint venture partners, Mitsui Iron Ore Development , Nippon Steel Australia and Sumitomo Metal Australia, the West
Angeles extension to move to deposit F, which extends deposits A, B and E. This
will maintain operations at 35 million tonnes per annum. It is very important
because West Angeles is a Marra Mamba ore, which will be of interest to those
people who follow iron ore. It is important in the blend to maintain a high-quality
iron ore production through to both the Japanese and Chinese markets. These
proposals together are worth $367 million in capital expenditure, will create
340 construction jobs and will help to maintain the sustainability of these two
mine sites into the future.
Nedlands Primary School in my electorate who are in the gallery.
The member for Pilbara is a strong advocate for sustainable development
in the Pilbara. There is probably no person more outspoken than him. He
understands the importance of investment and jobs in the Pilbara.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected.
Mr W.R. MARMION : Just a little bit.
It is with great pleasure that I stand here today to report that the
Liberal–National government has approved two state agreement proposals
to develop new deposits at Yandicoogina and West Angeles for Rio Tinto. I have
given approval under the Iron Ore (Yandicoogina) Agreement Act 1996 for the Rio
Tinto company Hamersley Iron–Yandi Pty Ltd to mine and develop the
Oxbow deposit at Yandicoogina, which will extend the junction central, junction
south west and junction south east deposits so that operations can be sustained
at around 60 million tonnes per annum. The interesting thing about the
Yandicoogina mine is that it actually uses autonomous trucks. Rio has 69
autonomous trucks in the Pilbara, which helps make Western Australia one of the
cheapest producers of iron ore in the world. The autonomous trucks are operated
out of the company's operations at the airport, which means there is
less downtime and less risk of injuries to operators and gives iron ore
production in Western Australia an edge.
I was pleased to also approve under the Iron Ore (Robe River) Agreement
Act 1964 for Rio Tinto and its Japanese joint venture partners, Mitsui Iron Ore Development , Nippon Steel Australia and Sumitomo Metal Australia, the West
Angeles extension to move to deposit F, which extends deposits A, B and E. This
will maintain operations at 35 million tonnes per annum. It is very important
because West Angeles is a Marra Mamba ore, which will be of interest to those
people who follow iron ore. It is important in the blend to maintain a high-quality
iron ore production through to both the Japanese and Chinese markets. These
proposals together are worth $367 million in capital expenditure, will create
340 construction jobs and will help to maintain the sustainability of these two
mine sites into the future.
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