Rio Tinto’s new airport for the Koodaideri iron project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia is now online ahead of the proposed ramp up of production at the site in 2022.
Worker fatigue will be reduced through the airport, lessening travel times for workers arriving from an alternative regional airport.
This will prevent worker fatigue and prevent worker interaction with vehicles and driving.
The airport is expected to handle more than 600 workers a day at peak operating times and can facilitate a range of different aircraft including Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s, F100s and King Airs.
Rio Tinto’s long-term partner Royal Flying Doctor Service will also be given access for safe landing in the area.
The Koodaideri airport currently offers four flights a week with additional flights to be added to the schedule next year.
Rio Tinto projects general manager Anthony Radici said the airport opening showcases the progress of the project.
“You get a real sense of the immense size and scale of our Koodaideri operation once you fly into this new airport,” Rio Tinto projects general manager Anthony Radici said.
“The construction phase of the project is progressing well with a significant amount of infrastructure now built, millions of cubic metres of material moved, a new access road, a significant amount of the rail formation installed, two new bridges constructed and now a brand new airport.”
Koodaideri has supported Western Australian businesses with more than $2.3 billion in contracts awarded to date.
This has provided 2000 jobs during the construction phase, with the mining operation set to support around 600 ongoing jobs.
The full airport construction and design will be completed by Primero Group, NRW, Worley and GHD alongside subcontractors Colas, Fulton Hogan, TEC Services, Brookdale Contractors, Bennco and Karlka Fencewright.
The Koodaideri mine will have have an annual operating capacity of 43 million tonnes of iron ore once it is operational.