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Heavy Flooding Impacts Rio Tinto Iron Ore Operations
02/19/2009 - Prolonged heavy rain and subsequent flooding across the west Pilbara region in Western Australia make a significant impact on Rio Tinto's iron ore operations.
Prolonged heavy rain and subsequent flooding across the west Pilbara region in Western Australia have had a significant impact on Rio Tinto's iron ore operations.
With further rain expected, Rio Tinto said earlier this week that its priority has been and continues to be on safety. Necessary precautions were in place, and no injuries had yet been reported.
With further rain expected, Rio Tinto said earlier this week that its priority has been and continues to be on safety. Necessary precautions were in place, and no injuries had yet been reported.
The company suspended operations at Pannawonica and Brockman/Nammuldi, as well as pit operations at Tom Price and Paraburdoo. The company said that operations at Marandoo and the east Pilbara mines (Yandicoogina, West Angelas and Hope Downs) had not been significantly impacted.
Most rail movements had been suspended due to the flooding. A comprehensive assessment to ensure that operations would be able to resume safely included track inspections and the development of recovery plans.
The company said that coastal operations at Dampier and Cape Lambert had also been significantly impacted by the flooding. Rio Tinto was advising customers of the event, and expected that shipping movements, which had been impeded or curtailed since before the weekend, would resume by midweek.
At the peak of flooding, many roads were impassable, and the company advised its employees to exercise extreme caution in their travels. Ten people stranded at Yarraloola station, west of Pannawonica, were evacuated safely by helicopter to Karratha as water rose.
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited. Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited. Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.
