Operations in Pilbara constrained by weather

RNS Number : 5527B
Rio Tinto PLC
21 February 2011
 



Rio Tinto coastal operations in Pilbara constrained by ongoing adverse weather conditions

 

21 February 2011

 

Coastal operations in the Pilbara region continue to be hampered by ongoing weather issues associated with Tropical Cyclones Dianne and Carlos, that are likely to impact on shipped tonnage for the first quarter of this year.

 

TC Carlos is currently 100 kilometres north-west of Broome, moving in a west-southwest direction at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour. It is expected to impact the Pilbara coast from early Tuesday morning, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.

 

Despite ongoing challenges, operations have been maintained at all 14 mines across the region. Dampier and Port Walcott (Cape Lambert) operations have continued intermittently since 14 February 2011, with frequent interruptions from the excessive rainfall, swells and winds. The reformed TC Carlos required the tie-down of all port operations from later today.   

 

The conditions led to a partial derailment late on 17 February, when a loaded train damaged a single-line section of track 35 kilometres south of Dampier. This has prevented trains from entering Dampier, and is not expected to be fully repaired until later this week.

 

Train movements to Port Walcott (carrying all Robe Valley and Yandicoogina products) have remained unaffected from the derailment, but are now also suspended as part of the tie-down in advance of TC Carlos. 

 

Rio Tinto iron ore will review the impact on stock levels and shipping schedules as a result of the conditions. As is normal practice, where appropriate, scheduled maintenance projects have been brought forward to facilitate a quick return to normal rail and shipping operations when conditions allow.

About Rio Tinto

 

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

 

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

 

For further information, please contact:

Media Relations, EMEA / Americas

Illtud Harri

Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1152

Mobile: +44 (0)7920 503 600

Tony Shaffer

Office:  +44 (0) 20 7781 1138

Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003

Christina Mills

Office:  +44 (0) 20 7781 1154

Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605

Investor Relations, London

Mark Shannon

Office:  +44 (0) 20 7781 1178

Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 576597

David Ovington

Office:  +44 (0) 20 7781 2051

Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978

 

Media Relations, Australia / Asia

Gervase Greene

Office:  +61 (0) 8 9327 2975

Mobile: +61 (0) 408 098 572

David Luff
Office:  +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +61 (0) 0419 850 205

Karen Halbert

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627

Mobile: +61 (0) 412 119 389

Bruce Tobin

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612

Mobile: +61 (0) 419 103 454

Investor Relations, Australia

Dave Skinner

Office:  +61 (0) 3 9283 3628

Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309

Simon Ellinor

Office:  +61 (0) 7 3361 4365

Mobile: +61 (0) 439 102 811

Christopher Maitland

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3063

Mobile: +61 (0) 459 800 131

Media Relations, Canada

Bryan Tucker

Office: +1 (0) 514 848 8151

Mobile: +1 (0) 514 825 8319

Investor Relations, North America

Jason Combes

Office:  +1 (0) 801 204 2919

Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645

 

Website:

www.riotinto.com

Email:

media.enquiries@riotinto.com enquiries.mediaaustralia@riotinto.com

Twitter:

Follow @riotinto on Twitter

 

High resolution photographs and media pack available at: www.riotinto.com/media 

 

 

 


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