05:49 AM EDT, 08/07/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Rio Tinto (RIO) said Thursday it has approved a $180 million investment to begin work on the Norman Creek access project at its Amrun bauxite mine in Queensland.

The company said the project will enable access to a region containing about half of Amrun's 978 million tonnes in ore reserves.

Construction includes a 19-kilometre haul road, camp facilities, and a communications tower, with first production expected in 2027 and full completion by 2028, the company said.

Additionally, the company said it has begun early works and a feasibility study for the Kangwinan project, which could boost annual bauxite production by up to 20 million tonnes.

If approved, Kangwinan would replace output from the Andoom and Gove mines, which are set to close later this decade, with potential first production in 2029, it added.