On another thread the likelihood of Rio project YBS (Yandicoogina Pocket Billiard South )coming to NRW has been flagged as one of the sustaining projects NRW has had it’s eye on .
Here is what Iminco had to say about the proposed expansion (which seems to have been mothballed until Rio mentioned it again as a “$118 million project in June .)
http://iminco.net/rio-tinto-pilbara-iron-ore-mine-expansion-yandicoogina/
“This new iron ore project, “Yandicoogina Pocket and Billiard South Iron Ore Mine,” presents a substantial addition to Rio Tinto’s WA mining operation.
Yandicoogina is sitting on top of a substantial iron ore deposit in the Hamersley Ranges and is expected to boost Rio Tinto’s iron ore exports over the life of the mine.
“
a viable operation for 16 years”
The project is so big, it’s expected to remain a viable mining operation for 16 years, and if it gets the go-ahead from Rio’s investors and board, construction could commence in 2016 and production in 2017. Of course there are also the usual obstacles such as obtaining the relevant internal and external approvals.
The current mine site is expected to export around 270 million tonnes in full year. Rio Tinto is banking on the mining expansion to turn this particular site into a major part of its iron ore division. As far as ramping up exports, Rio is looking at some 360 million tonnes per year.”
Here (again) is the June Rio media release
https://www.riotinto.com/media/media-releases-237_25658.aspx
“Resource and mine development
• A large drilling programme for 2018 is scheduled, with 700 kilometres of drilling scheduled at various operational hubs near existing mines in addition to exploration on new leases.
• The Koodaideri feasibility study continues to progress. The project underpins the Pilbara Blend product and should be a low-cost operation with significant capacity optionality.
• Expected spending of ~$2.2 billion on replacement mines over the next three years including initial spending on the Koodaideri, West Angelas and Robe Valley developments.
• The $118 million Billiard South sustaining project is in development, helping to support Yandicoogina operations. Production is expected to commence in 2019.
Operations
- The Silvergrass mine continues to ramp up to its 21Mtpa capacity, running at an annualised rate of 15.3Mtpa at end of the first quarter of 2018.
- Sustaining capital spending of ~$1 billion per year for the next three years in the Pilbara.
- The pioneering AutoHaul® project is building future system flexibility. Following regulatory approval received in May, full implementation of the autonomous programme is anticipated by the end of 2018.
- Rail and mine capacity is expected to match nameplate port capacity by the end of 2019.
- The rail productivity programme, targeting every part of the rail system, will deliver additional capacity and flexibility to underpin our optimised supply chain design.”
Of the four points in ‘Resource and Mine Development’
I was wondering if we might be up for that 700km of drill and blast but it seems Rio has it’s own team there
( and coincidentally a current Rio ad for someone to go up to Yandicoogina to do some
https://au.linkedin.com/jobs/view/engineer-drill-and-blast-at-rio-tinto-876712394)
(NB the mine still seems to be ‘officially’ closed
http://www.riotinto.com/documents/Yandi LoM Closure Plan 2015.pdf)
(20min delay)
