Posted on 16 Jan 2026

Global miners Rio Tinto and BHP have agreed to work together to extract up to 200 million tonnes of iron ore from their neighbouring Yandicoogina and Yandi operations in Western Australia’s Pilbara region,

Kallanish

notes.

The firms say in a statement that under two non-binding memoranda of understanding that they will explore collaboration on the development of Rio Tinto’s Wunbye deposit.

This also includes a proposal for BHP to supply ore from its Yandi Lower Channel Deposit to Rio Tinto for processing at its existing wet plants under agreed commercial terms.

The potential collaboration builds on a 2023 agreement between the two companies to jointly mine the Mungadoo Pillar. This is enabling access to ore along a shared tenure boundary that had previously been inaccessible.

The companies have agreed to progress a conceptual study followed by an order-of-magnitude study. Subject to a final investment decision, the first ore from both deposits is expected early next decade.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Matthew Holcz said the partnership would allow both companies to maximise the value of existing infrastructure while minimising capital investment.

“By working smarter, we can better leverage existing infrastructure to unlock additional production with minimal capital requirements,” Holcz says. “Together we will extend the life of these operations, create additional value.”

BHP WA Iron Ore asset president Tim Day says the initiative demonstrates productivity gains through collaboration. “By sharing our expertise and infrastructure we will create new value and deliver benefits to our people, partners, customers and communities,” he adds.

Source:Kallanish

The South East Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEAISI) was incorporated in 1971 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE). It is registered as a limited company in the Republic of Singapore. Previously in Singapore and the Manila, the Secretariat is now permanently based in Shah Alam, Malaysia.

SEAISI is a technical institute and its main objective is to promote the iron and steel industry in the South East Asia region. It achieves its objectives by facilitating technology transfer from around the world, especially from Japan, Korea and Taiwan. SEAISI organizes a major international conference and exhibition every year and amongst its publications are the Statistical Year Book and the Monthly ASEAN Iron & Steel Journal.

SEAISI enjoys a large membership base with members coming from all parts of the world, including leading steel companies and material suppliers and equipment suppliers.

Address

No. 2E, 5th Floor, Block 2, Worldwide Business Park, Jalan Tinju 13/50,

40675 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

Contact

Tel : +60 3 5519 1102

Fax : +60 3 5519 1159

Email

seaisi@seaisi.org

© 2026 SEAISI SITE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVVED