PERTH, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto will contribute A$20 million to the Western Australian Government towards the major redevelopment of the Paraburdoo Hospital, in the state’s Pilbara region.

The partnership will see the ageing Paraburdoo Hospital upgraded with contemporary purpose-built facilities to support medical services for the local community, including new rooms for the GP.

Rio Tinto’s contribution to the Paraburdoo Hospital will come from the company’s A$250 million commitment to the Western Australian Government’s Resources Community Investment Initiative (RCII). The major redevelopment of the Paraburdoo Hospital is the first project through the RCII to receive funding.

The project will be packaged together with Rio Tinto’s previous A$20 million commitment to a new Tom Price Hospital, as part of a procurement approach by the State Government to create a larger package of work that is more attractive to potential contractors.

It is expected this approach will fast-track the Tom Price Hospital project by allowing early construction works to start on site while design and works for the remainder of the project progress simultaneously.

The State Government anticipates a tender will be released for both projects next month, with a contract expected to be awarded in November 2024 and works for Tom Price to begin soon after.

Rio Tinto Rail, Ports and Core Services Managing Director Richard Cohen, said “We’ve been part of the Pilbara region for almost 60 years and have a strong commitment to the communities of Tom Price and Paraburdoo.

“We understand health services are very important to both communities to ensure the ongoing health, safety and wellbeing of people and their families living in both towns.

“We have been working with the State Government to support the delivery of a new Tom Price Hospital and are proud to be able to make a significant contribution to the major redevelopment of Paraburdoo Hospital.

“We welcome the State Government’s new procurement approach and look forward to seeing these important projects take shape in the near future.”

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, said “This innovative approach allows Government to work collaboratively with a construction contractor to urgently deliver the works at Tom Price and Paraburdoo Hospitals, with support from Rio Tinto.”

“We are getting on with the job of delivering these major health infrastructure projects, by creating a larger package of works that will be more attractive to future contractors.

“Staff at both Tom Price Hospital and Paraburdoo Hospital continue to deliver excellent care to the local community, and I thank them for all they do.”