Rio Tinto's West Angelas Iron Ore Mine to Get $733 Million Extension

By Rhiannon Hoyle

Rio Tinto and its Japanese joint-venture partners will spend $733 million to extend the West Angelas iron ore mine in Western Australia, adding years to the life of the operation.

The Anglo-Australian mining company said the Robe River Joint Venture, which includes Mitsui & Co. and Nippon Steel, has secured the necessary state and federal government approvals to develop new iron-ore deposits in the West Angelas hub in Australia's Pilbara region.

The project will maintain the operation's total annual production capacity of 35 million metric tons, "extending mining activity for years to come," Rio Tinto said, without elbaorating. Rio Tinto's share of the project is $389 million, it said.

The mine extension is one of a series of projects by Rio Tinto to help it maintain production levels across the Pilbara, replacing output from mines that are aging. The company said a study for Rhodes Ridge, one of the world's largest and highest-quality undeveloped iron-ore deposits, is now "well progressed."

Rio Tinto has a 53% stake in the Robe River Joint Venture, while Mitsui holds 33% and Nippon Steel 14%. The companies began mining at West Angelas in 2002.

First ore from the new West Angelas deposits is scheduled for 2027, Rio Tinto said.

"Securing these approvals ensures ongoing investment in the hub as we continue to supply high-quality, reliable iron ore to meet our global customers' demand now and into the future," said the head of Rio Tinto's iron-ore business, Matthew Holcz.

Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 06, 2025 18:09 ET (22:09 GMT)