Rio Tinto suspends its Weipa bauxite operations after cyclone Trevor made a landfall

Gas and iron ore operations on Australia’s west coast are likely to be affected by an approaching cyclone just as a severe storm in the nation’s northeast dumps heavy rain on Rio Tinto Group’s biggest bauxite mine.

The tropical cyclone Veronica is taking place at 545 kilometers (339 miles) north of Port Hedland, a key export point for Western Australia’s iron ore shipments. The storm is forecast to intensify according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

In response to the Bureau of Meteorology report, Rio suspended its Weipa bauxite operations after cyclone Trevor made landfall. Bauxite mining operations at the north-eastern tip of the country is likely to get severe effect of the cyclone.

“Operations have been suspended at Weipa as Cyclone Trevor approaches the coast, as per standard procedures,” a spokesman told Reuters by email.

Rio Tinto’s world-class Weipa bauxite operation is at the centre West Australia’s bauxite operations and exports over 30 million tonnes of bauxite annually.