Rio Tinto is set to launch early works and final engineering studies for a major expansion of its Amrun bauxite mine on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, targeting first production by 2029.
The proposed project, named Kangwinan at the request of the Wik Waya people, the Traditional Owners of the land, marks a significant step forward for Rio Tinto’s Weipa Southern operations. It will see the development of a new mine and the expansion of the existing Amrun port, with plans to nearly double the current bauxite output.
If given the green light, the project will see the development of a new mining hub located 15 kilometres south-east of Rio Tinto’s Amrun site, an operation launched in 2018 following a US$1.9 billion investment. Kangwinan is set to create over 800 construction jobs, while preserving employment for workers currently at Weipa’s mines facing closure.
Kangwinan signals a boost in supply to meet global aluminium demand and a deepening of Rio Tinto’s collaboration with Indigenous communities in one of Australia’s most resource-rich regions. The final investment decision is expected in 2026, contingent upon thorough cultural heritage consultations with Traditional Owners, completion of engineering and environmental assessments, and securing all necessary regulatory approvals. This pivotal development promises to inject fresh economic vitality into the region while honouring its rich cultural legacy.
Rio Tinto Pacific Operations Aluminium Managing Director Armando Torres said, “This feasibility study will explore a new bauxite operation at our Weipa Operations and represents a strong vote of confidence in the world-class bauxite deposits on the Western Cape York Peninsula, our bauxite operations, and the local community. It’s an important step toward securing the long-term future of our operations at Cape York, and the benefits that mining brings to communities in the region, while ensuring security of supply to our Australian refineries and to our customers.”
The Kangwinan project is poised to take the baton from two of Rio Tinto’s long-standing operations, Andoom in Cape York and Gove in the Northern Territory, both of which are expected to wind down by the end of the decade. As these legacy mines approach closure, Kangwinan is set to step in as the next chapter in Rio Tinto’s bauxite story, ensuring a seamless transition and continued supply for the company’s aluminium value chain.
The expansion is set to boost annual bauxite production from the Weipa Southern operations by up to 20 million tonnes, on top of the existing 23 million tonnes, while significantly increasing export capacity through the Amrun port. The project will also include the construction of a 250-room accommodation facility at Amrun Village for construction personnel, as well as the development of an initial access road to the Kangwinan site.
This strategic move positions Rio Tinto to seamlessly replace volumes as production winds down at the Gove and Andoom mines, ensuring continued supply to global markets and reinforcing our long-term commitment to sustainable resource development.
Responses
