Overview
Stage | Production |
Mine Type | Open Pit |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
|
Production Start | ...  |
Mine Life | 2037 |
First ore at Robe Valley (Mesa B, C, H) was achieved in August 2021. Ongoing Mesa A wet plant construction and commissioning challenges have impacted production ramp-up. New wet plant components are on order and production will operate at a reduced capacity until repairs are completed.
The autonomous mining truck fleet has been commissioned: since achieving first ore in August 2021. |
Source:
p. 388
Robe River is a joint venture between Rio Tinto (53%), Mitsui Iron Ore Development (33%), and Nippon Steel Corporation (14%).
Contractors
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Summary:
• The Mesa B, C, and H deposits are Channel Iron Deposits (CID).
• The deposits are a part of a series of flat topped hills, defining the paleochannel of the Robe River. They consist of pisolite infilling the paleochannel, which cuts across the Cretaceous to Proterozoic stratigraphy.
• Mineralisation is confined to the Tertiary Pisolite.
• A hydrated hardcap overlies the mineralised pisolite.
• Non-mineralised clay layers and pods have been domained separately.
Summary:
All mines operated by Rio Tinto within the Robe Valley property are open pit mines. The mining method employed uses conventional surface mining, whereby shovels and loaders are used to load drilled and blasted material into trucks for removal to waste dumps or feed to process plants.
First ore at Robe Valley (Mesa B, C, H) was achieved in August 2021.
At Robe Valley (Mesa B, C, H), the autonomous mining truck fleet has been commissioned.
Source:
Summary:

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Production:
Commodity | Units | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Iron Ore
|
kt
| ......  | ......  | ......  | 31,947 | 31,182 | 32,776 | 32,482 |
All production numbers are expressed as lump & fines.
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Reserves at December 31, 2020:
Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
Proven
|
172 Mt
|
Iron
|
56.4 %
|
Probable
|
154 Mt
|
Iron
|
56.2 %
|
Proven & Probable
|
326 Mt
|
Iron
|
56.3 %
|
Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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