Rio Tinto has invited Western Australian manufacturers to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the construction of 100 rail cars for its Pilbara iron ore mining operations.
The request for expressions of interest comes after Rio Tinto announced in September that it would seek for ways for Western Australian suppliers to help build the rail car manufacturing business and support local jobs.
Rio Tinto said it would purchase 50 rail cars from the selected provider initially, followed by a five-year commitment of 10 rail cars every year.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said, “I strongly encourage Western Australian manufacturers to submit an Expression of Interest to build these iron ore rail cars to service our Pilbara operations.
“We’re pleased to offer this opportunity to local businesses to support local jobs and the Western Australian economy.
“As the local manufacturing industry grows, we will continue to look at ways to engage local businesses to be part of our supply chain.”
The EOI supports the objective of the WA Government’s iron ore rail car action group, which Rio Tinto is a part of and which was founded to strengthen Western Australia’s manufacturing capability.
