A groundbreaking ceremony near Weipa on Friday (13 November) marked the commencement of activity at Rio Tinto's new Kangwinan bauxite site, according to a Queensland Government ministerial media statement welcoming what it called the company's $2.6 billion investment.
The statement says the Kangwinan project will support more than 1,300 construction jobs and secure a future for Rio Tinto's residentially based 1,500-strong workforce in Western Cape York, adding 20 million tonnes of annual bauxite production and increasing operational capacity to 44 million tonnes per year. First production is targeted for 2029, with full production expected by 2032.
Acting Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Tony Perrett said the investment was a strong vote of confidence in Queensland's resources sector and the future of Weipa. "Queensland is open for business, and I would like to congratulate Rio Tinto on their $2.6 billion investment – one of the most significant in recent Queensland mining history," he said.
"Rio Tinto is a proven operator in Western Cape York and has the existing infrastructure, residentially based workforce and enduring community relationships needed to successfully bring the Kangwinan project online," Acting Minister Perrett said.
Kangwinan Production Centre and Conveyor
Rio Tinto announced the investment decision on 23 October 2026. Its notice to the ASX and LSE put the total capital estimate at US$1.9 billion, including $150 million for early works pre-approved in 2025, with all figures in US dollars.
The company says Kangwinan will establish a new bauxite production centre 15 kilometres south-east of its Amrun mine, which is located 40km south of the town of Weipa, with a 15-kilometre conveyor carrying ore to expanded stockyard facilities and the existing Amrun wharf. Construction will ramp up in 2027.
The project will replace production from the Andoom mine near Weipa as it reaches the end of its life this decade, lifting Weipa Operations' annual capacity to about 44 million tonnes from current production of around 38 million tonnes per year, the notice says. It will also help compensate for the planned end of production at the Gove mine in the Northern Territory in 2029.
Ground was officially broken on the project near Weipa on Friday, DCN reported, securing the long-term future of the port and work for service suppliers.
Traditional Owners and Local Jobs
The company's Kangwinan project page says the operation will be on the Traditional lands of the Wik & Wik Waya, Alngith, Peppan and Wathayn Peoples, and was named at the request of the Wik Waya People. Kangwinan is also the name of the black female crow, a totem of the Wik Waya People. Construction roles will be available through delivery partner Bechtel and its contractors, with details through Bechtel's online employment portal from early 2027.
Rio Tinto Pacific Operations Managing Director Armando Torres said the investment demonstrated the company's long-term commitment to the future of its Weipa Operations. "For more than 60 years, we've operated in Western Cape York, building a world-class bauxite business and strong, enduring relationships with Traditional Owners and local communities," Mr Torres said. "Kangwinan and our proposed Aurukun acquisition reflect our commitment to Weipa and recognise the capability of our people."
Member for Cook David Kempton said the investment was critical to securing a future for the entire Weipa community. "This investment is significant for Weipa and the far north. We know that resource projects deliver benefits well beyond the mine gate – creating jobs, supporting local businesses and driving economic growth in our regions," Mr Kempton said.