Rio Tinto announces Pilbara desalination plant

Rio Tinto has announced that it plans to invest US$395 million in a seawater desalination plant in the Pilbara, Western Australia.

The proposed Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant, which remains subject to Commonwealth and state government approvals, will be located within Rio Tinto’s existing iron ore port operations at Parker Point. It will have an initial nominal capacity of four gigalitres annually with the potential for this to increase to eight gigalitres in the future. The project includes construction of a new supply pipeline to connect to the existing water network.

Subject to relevant approvals, construction is expected to commence in 2024 with the facility expected to be operational and producing water in 2026. At the peak of construction, the project is expected to support approximately 300 jobs.

Water from the plant is planned to be transferred to the Water Corporation-owned and operated West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme, where it will be distributed to Rio Tinto’s coastal communities and operations. The plant will be constructed on previously reclaimed land and will use reverse osmosis to filter salt and other impurities from ocean water. It will utilise existing infrastructure at Parker Point and being near the existing Water Corporation network will help to minimise disturbance to the local environment.

“We know that water is a scarce resource, particularly in the Pilbara. We are pleased that this desalination plant will help to secure future supply for Rio Tinto supplied communities in the West Pilbara as well as our coastal operations,” said Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott.

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