Project Description

Rio Tinto (Brazil) awarded the EPCM contract for the $2.15BN Iron Ore Corumbá Expansion project to Sandwell Engineering Inc. (Canada).  Working with Sandwell, TPE Consulting Engineers will provide detailed marine engineering design services on a Barge Unloading Berth in Agraciada, Uruguay.  Located on the Rio Paraña this 250m long marine facility, including dolphins, will form a critical element in the 2500km multi-national supply chain for high quality ore from Rio Tinto Iron Ores Corumbá facility in western Brazil to Panamax, and Post-Panamax ocean going vessels and onwards to Capesize vessels.

This project will boost annual capacity of the Rio Tinto mine more than six-fold from 2 million tonnes per annum to 12.8 million tonnes, with new production commencing in the fourth quarter of 2010.