Rio bounces back from Cyclone Narelle
Rio Tinto has swiftly resumed Pilbara iron ore operations after Cyclone Narelle brought heavy rain and power outages to Australia’s northwest, highlighting the company’s resilient workforce and infrastructure.
The Category 4 system cyclone raged across the north of Australia last week, prompting temporary shutdowns at several regional mines, including South32’s bauxite operations.
Rio Tinto has now confirmed that its Pilbara iron ore port operations have resumed, with all staff safe and no major disruptions reported to its mining or shipping activities.
Port closures at Rio Tinto’s four Pilbara iron ore terminals began on March 24, 2026, with ship loading restarting at East Intercourse Island, Parker Point and Cape Lambert B on March 28.
“Damage to Cape Lambert A is currently being repaired. Shipping at that facility is expected to recommence in the coming days,” the company said.
Although recent weather events, including Tropical Cyclone Mitchell in February, temporarily impacted shipments by an estimated 8 million tonnes, Rio Tinto has identified a pathway to recover around half of these losses, ensuring strong performance for the year.
Pilbara iron ore shipment guidance for 2026 remains unchanged at 323 to 338 million tonnes, reflecting the company’s confidence in its operational plans and recovery strategy.
The rapid resumption of port activity highlights Rio Tinto’s preparedness and commitment to maintaining supply reliability for global markets.
Meanwhile, Pilbara Ports has completed a visual inspection of its port infrastructure in the Port of Dampier following the impact of the cyclone.
It reported that while the Port of Dampier has reopened, the inspection has identified significant asset damage across Pilbara Ports general cargo precinct, caused by destructive winds, wave uplift forces, swell, and storm surge.
As a result, all general cargo import operations in Dampier will remain temporarily suspended, following the re-opening of the port. Access to the port is restricted to key personnel.
Pilbara Ports said facilities are undergoing further engineering assessments, including underwater inspections and marine surveys. These assessments will inform when safe general cargo import operations can resume.