Tropical cyclone shuts down Rio Tinto mines in Western Australia

SYDNEY (AFP) Mar 02, 2004
A tropical cyclone lashing Australia's northwest coast has forced resources giant Rio Tinto to shut one third of its mines and one of its ports in the region, the company said Tuesday.

Cyclone Monty is packing winds of up to 200 kilometres (120 miles) an hour and has dumped 200 millimetres (eight inches) of rain on the drought-parched region of Western Australia state, the weather bureau reported.

Rio spokesman Matthew Coomber said the company's Dampier port had been closed since Saturday afternoon.

It normally operates 24-hours a day and moves about 203,000 tons of iron ore daily.

Coomber said while Rio was accustomed to the seasonal cyclones, Monty was particularly "severe".

He said he was unsure when the mines would re-open.

Fellow iron ore miner BHP Billiton said its mines were not affected by the weather.

The cyclone has led to the collapse of a key road in the isolated district but there have been no reports of serious damage to property or injuries.

Rio Tinto shares closed 35 cents higher Tuesday at 36.60 dollars.

TERRA.WIRE