Rio Tinto to bring rail car manufacturing to Pilbara

Rio Tinto announced that it “will partner with Gemco Rail to bring local iron ore rail car manufacturing and bearing maintenance to the Pilbara region in an industry-first. This partnership will enable Gemco Rail to expand its existing operations to establish the first ever rail ore car manufacturing and maintenance facility in the Pilbara, creating new jobs, increasing spend with local and Indigenous businesses and supporting local economic growth. Rio Tinto expects to invest approximately A$150 million to purchase 100 locally built ore rail cars over six years as well as continued investment in bearing refurbishment over ten years, to support the company’s Pilbara operations. The first 40 ore cars will be built at Gemco Rail’s existing facility in Forrestfield, while the company establishes an additional facility in Karratha.”