Rio Tinto has announced more than $900 million in contracts for its Amrun bauxite project on the Cape York Peninsula have been awarded to Queensland suppliers.
The mining giant this week said the Queensland spend now makes up nearly two thirds of the $1.38 billion in contracts awarded to Australian suppliers for the project to date.
Amrun will include a mine, a processing plant, bauxite stockpiles, a power station, warehouses, and new barge, ferry and ship loading facilities.
Production from Amrun will replace depleting output from the East Weipa bauxite mine, and increase Rio’s overall bauxite exports from Cape York by roughly 10mtpa.
Chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques said: “We are proud of the contribution this tier one asset will make in supporting of Queensland communities.
“Sustainability is crucial to this project and strict guidelines are in place for all suppliers.
“They must demonstrate they are commercially competitive, technically competent and most importantly, align with the safety standards of our group.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk praised the miner for directly engaging 509 Queensland businesses so far in Amrun’s development.
“The Amrun project will ensure Queensland businesses and their employees will continue the benefits of many development opportunities for years to come,” she said.
Production at Amrun is forecast to commence in the first half of 2019.