Upon arriving in Tom Price we discovered that a mine tour was on offer. The Rio Tinto Iron Ore mine is located close to the edge of town. As with any tour we only get a snapshot of the operation but it was very interesting. Our coach driver was an old train driver whom I am guessing lost his job when Rio Tinto converted the majority of their loco fleet to autonomous operation. (They also have most of their large haul trucks operated autonomously) Hard to imagine over 28,000 tonne of ore per train on a continual stream of driverless trains! All of which are remotely controlled from the control rooms near Perth Airport some 1500 klm away! We were taken to a lookout over a rather large open cut mine where we could view the huge dump trucks and loaders operating. Following this we were driven thru active operations roads at the processing plant including viewing the terminus of a conveyor delivering ore from a mine some 30klm away. We were told this conveyor cost approx $1200000000 yep that’s 1.2 billion!!! For those interested and for me to remember in the future when this blog is converted to a coffee table book I will include the fact sheet on some part of Rio Tinto. Keep in mind there are several other operations including BHP, Hancock Prospecting, Fortescue that are digging massive holes in the ground so we can all enjoy metal based products.
What a place to vacation for a “boy who likes his toys (machinery)”!
Philip was listening to the rural report for the Pilbara early this morning and there was a report on the success they are having using the non contaminated groundwater from the mines to grow cattle fodder under centre pivot irrigation. A new enterprise for the area.
Tassie Travellers 
Well you guys certainly go to all corners of each area you visit I am sure that you do not miss a thing
Ross & Rochelle
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