Rio Tinto contracts Scott Technology at Robe Valley

This is the second significant iron ore sample laboratory project Rio Tinto has signed Scott Technology for this year, building on the relationship that has spanned decades between two businesses.

Work at the Robe Valley project, which will comprise of Scott Technology’s Rocklabs equipment and third-party supplies, has commenced and the laboratory is expected to be operational by next June.

Scott Technology chief executive John Kippenberger said the contract award came off the back of the company’s positive work at Rio Tinto’s Koodaideri iron ore project work that is under way, with building work and site mobilisation occurring in line with the original schedule.

“Scott has demonstrated success at many iron ore mine site laboratories in recent years, with our Rocklabs crushers and mills providing safe, reliable, productive operation for our clients,” Kippenberger said.

“We are excited to be working with the Rio Tinto team on another important mining laboratory project.

“This latest contract award further cements Scott’s evolution in the mining sector from a world leading supplier of sample preparation equipment to a complete end-to-end automation and analysis solution provider.”

According to Kippenberger, the iron ore sector has continued to experience positive interest and investment in automation and that Scott Technology sees this as an increasing opportunity to complete more projects of the same scale as Robe Valley.

Located 140 kilometres southwest of Karratha in the Pilbara region, Robe Valley produces iron ore at the Mesa A and Mesa J hubs, before being processed at Cape Lambert.