Rio’s solar pledge for Gove as bauxite mine prepares for closure

A leading miner is making a long-term commitment to Territory electricity generation ahead of a significant mine closure. Read what is planned.

Miner Rio Tinto will build two new 5.25MW solar farms in Gove to secure the region’s power supply once bauxite mining ends.

The solar farms will be built on Rio Tinto leases following agreements with the Gumatj and Rirratjingu traditional owners and is expected to underpin Gove’s low-carbon future after mining operations stop towards the end of the decade.

Aggreko will construct, own and operate the two farms, with work expected to begin this month and completion scheduled for early 2025.

The two sites will have a combined capacity of 10.5MW.

Rio’s Gove operations manager Shannon Price said the project was part of a “shared vision” with TOs to leave a positive legacy for the Gove Peninsula communities after bauxite mining ceases.

Trucks load scrap metal into a vessel for recycling while demolishing the alumina plant at Gove, owned by Rio Tinto.

“We’re excited to work with the Gumatj and Rirratjingu clans to provide an opportunity to secure alternative electricity generation assets on their country and to discuss opportunities to commercialise energy infrastructure in the future,” she said.

“We are working in partnership with the Northern Territory government and traditional owners to ensure a smooth transition of leased land and town assets and infrastructure as Rio Tinto prepares to stop mining at Gove later this decade.

“We are committed to our role in helping to plan for the region’s future, which includes providing options for reliable, affordable and environmentally-sustainable infrastructure.

“The solar farms are also part of our ongoing commitment to decarbonise our business. Once operational, they are expected to reduce annual CO2e emissions at our Gove operations by up to 17 per cent.

“We intend for these farms to underpin sustainable power for the region beyond mining.”

Rio Tinto’s Gove mine has been supplying the global aluminium industry with world-class bauxite for more than 40 years.

As well as being shipped internationally, Gove bauxite is used to supply the Queensland Alumina Limited and Yarwun refineries in Gladstone.

These refineries produce alumina as feedstock for Rio Tinto’s Australian aluminium smelting operations and for sale on the international market.

After closure and rehabilitation of the refinery, mine site and tailings facilities, the land will be returned to and managed by traditional owners, with Rio Tinto maintaining responsibility for the ongoing monitoring of the tailings land.