Rio Tinto Limited (ASX:RIO) is advancing the expansion of its Pilbara iron ore operations in Western Australia with the installation of a new shiploader.
The global mining company says the shiploader is positioned on the new wharf at Cape Lambert and has a 55 million tonne annual capacity.
Rio Tinto’s chief operating officer of Pilbara Projects says the shiploader is a major component of infrastructure in the expansion programme.
The company views the shiploader as a reminder of its interim target of achieving 290 million tonne annual capacity for the Pilbara operations.
The new Cape Lambert wharf is being constructed in two stages with the first stage slated for completion in the third quarter of 2013.
Rio Tinto reported a net loss of $2.9 billion in the 2012 financial year.
