Global
Global
component of the Pilbara Blend, subject to market conditions, from
the current average of about 35% to an estimated 38%.
It is expected to deliver an internal rate of return of 20% and
capital intensity of about USD60 per tonne of annual capacity,
highly competitive for a new mine considering the additional
infrastructure of rail spur, airport, camp and road access required.
The operation is expected to be Rio Tinto’s lowest cost
contributor to its industry benchmark Pilbara Blend product.
According to J-S Jacques, Rio Tinto CEO, Koodaideri is a
game-changer for Rio Tinto. “It will be the most technologically
advanced mine we have ever built and sets a new benchmark for the
industry in terms of the adoption of automation and the use of data
to enhance safety and productivity,” he says.
A USD44-million pre-feasibility study into Koodaideri Phase
2 has also been approved. The expansion could increase annual
capacity from the Koodaideri production hub to 70 million tonnes
and beyond. A final investment decision is subject to study outcomes
and Rio Tinto’s value over volume approach.
Technology at Koodaideri
Koodaideri will feature technology already in use across Rio Tinto,
such as autonomous trucks, trains and drills, and implement systems
connecting all components of the mining value chain for the first
time. The development will consolidate everything Rio Tinto has
learned from its studies into finding advanced ways to extract
minerals while reducing environmental impacts and improving
safety, known as the Mine of the Future programme.
Koodaideri has more than 70 innovations in scope including:
a digital replica of the processing plant, accessible in real time
by workers in the field; fully integrated mine automation and
simulation systems; advanced automation including an automated
workshop; and numerous data analytics capabilities and control
loops to optimise production and reduce downtime.
Koodaideri is about 35km north-west of Rio Tinto’s
Yandicoogina mine site, and approximately 110km from the town of
Newman in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Source: Rio Tinto.
www.miningmirror.co.za
JULY 2019 MINING MIRROR [9]
JULY 2019 MINING MIRROR [9]