Rio Tinto is planning to invest $230m to expand the capacity of Dampier Port in Western Australia.
The mining major expects the investment will increase the port’s annual capacity by five million tons and raise Pilbara mines’ annual iron ore production capacity from 220 million to 230 million tons by 2012.
The capacity expansion will also boost ship loading capacity and increase rail stock at the port.
Rio Tinto said the investment is in addition to the $91m approved in early 2010 for a separate 5Mt/a upgrade, which is currently being implemented.