Rio Tinto has announced plans to invest $395 million in a new seawater desalination plant which is set to support the future water needs of the company’s coastal operations and communities in the Pilbara region.
The proposed Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant, which remains subject to Federal 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 4GL annually, with the potential to increase to 8GL in the future.
The proposed project includes construction of a new supply pipeline to connect to the existing water network.
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 the company’s Parker Point operations and is near the existing Water Corporation network, helping to minimise disturbance to the local environment.
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.
Rio Tinto have been engaging with all associated Traditional Owners and Custodians in relation to the project. The company extends its thanks to the Ngarluma people, on whose Traditional lands the plant will be constructed, and Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, who represent the five Traditional Owner groups in the region.
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.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive, Simon Trott, said, “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.”
