Diversified engineering and infrastructure company RCR Tomlinson Ltd has been awarded a contract valued at approximately A$33 million to design, manufacture and construct a 5 km relocatable conveyor system for Fortescue Metals Group. This project is the first to emerge under an innovation and development Memorandum of Understanding ‘MOU’ between RCR and Fortescue, targeted at identifying improved productivity and efficiency initiatives across Fortescue’s iron ore operations.

The relocatable conveyor system has been identified as a key productivity initiative for future ore deposits and will be trialled at Fortescue’s Cloudbreak mine. RCR will lead the design, manufacture and construction of the relocatable conveyor system for Fortescue, to be delivered as part of a joint venture with an Indigenous business partner. RCR Managing Director & CEO, Dr Paul Dalgleish said “RCR has a long history in materials handling and has focused on the concepts of In-Pit Crushing and Conveying, IP2C, which has culminated in this relationship with
Fortescue.”

“RCR and Fortescue have each developed unique positions in the industry as innovators and first movers on smart technology. RCR, working with Fortescue, is excited about the opportunity to use Engineering Intelligence to provide a solution which will ultimately lead to ongoing reductions in the cost of production for iron ore. We look forward to working with Fortescue and supporting our partner to develop this innovative solution at Fortescue’s operations
in the Pilbara,” he added.