Rio Tinto has begun clearing iron ore ships from two Western Australian ports due to tropical cyclones, and that is impacting efforts to repair infrastructure damaged in a cyclone last month, it said on Tuesday.
“As is procedure, we began sending ships from Cape Lambert Port at the weekend and Dampier Port last night, out to sea, to avoid high sea swells and wave conditions created by Tropical Cyclone Taliah and Tropical Cyclone Vince,” a Rio Tinto spokesperson said via email .
Rio Tinto warned last month that its first-quarter iron ore shipments could be affected by disruptions to its rail operations following record rainfall along Western Australia’s Pilbara coastline due to Tropical Cyclone Sean.
“Clearing the ports is compounding system challenges and high stocks, as repair works continue on the East Intercourse dumper that was impacted by flood waters from Tropical Cyclone Sean during January,” the miner said.