Rio Tinto seals $1.1 billion Pilbara desalination deal with WA government as water stress mounts (Rio Tinto)
Rio Tinto and the Western Australian government have launched a A$1.1 billion joint venture to complete the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant, aiming to supply 8 billion litres of water annually to the West Pilbara. Stage 1 is set to deliver water in late 2026, with Stage 2 following in 2027. The project targets water shortages after years of low rainfall and will serve over 10,000 homes and key industrial sites.