Rio Tinto has approved a US$1.9 billion investment to develop the Kangwinan bauxite project on the western Cape York Peninsula in Queensland.

The new production centre will be situated about 15 km southeast of the existing Amrun mine, near Norman Creek, roughly 40 km south of Weipa.

Kangwinan will add 20 million tonnes of annual bauxite capacity, raising the Weipa complex’s output to approximately 44 million tonnes, up from around 38 million tonnes.

First production is slated for 2029, with full‑scale operations expected by 2032, aligning with Rio Tinto’s plan to replace ageing mines such as Andoom and the Gove operation slated to close in 2029.

Construction activity is set to ramp up in 2027, supporting more than 1,300 construction jobs and sustaining a regional workforce of about 1,500 employees over the life of the project.

Key infrastructure includes a 15‑km conveyor linking the new mine to expanded stockyard facilities and the existing Amrun export wharf, which will be upgraded to accommodate larger Capesize vessels.

Bechtel Australia has been appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction management partner, with procurement opportunities to be advertised through its portal and the Industry Capability Network Queensland gateway from early 2027.

The project is located on the traditional lands of the Wik, Wik Waya, Alngith, Peppan and Wathayn peoples; Rio Tinto says cultural heritage and waterway protection measures are embedded in its management plans, and environmental approval was secured through the South of Embley Environmental Impact Statement.