Mining giant Rio Tinto is investigating a serious train collision on its rail network in Western Australia.
One of its autonomous trains crashed into a set of stationary carriages about 80 kilometers from Karratha, in the state’s Pilbara region, shortly after midnight on Monday.
The company confirmed that no one was injured in the accident, but three locomotives and 22 carriages were affected.
“We have notified the appropriate regulators and have launched an investigation,” a spokesperson said.
“Work to clear the railway line will begin soon.”
The accident affected three locomotives and 22 carriages.
The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator is also investigating the collision.
“The recovery train is reported to have collided with the ore train it was sent to recover, after it was disabled due to a mechanical failure,” a spokesperson said.
«Three locomotives and 20 cars derailed.
‘ONRSR is investigating the incident and will make a number of inquiries, at this stage these focus on the operation and compliance of signaling systems in the area.’
Iron ore giant Rio Tinto has a 2,000km rail network in WA. Image: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith
The train was carrying iron ore when it collided with the stationary cars, although the volume of the material is unclear.
Rio, a $179 billion giant, boasts a 2,000-kilometer rail network as part of its vast iron ore operations across the state, transporting iron ore from pit to port.
Monday’s collision is the second accident to affect the company this year.
In February, one of its autonomous trains derailed about 120 kilometers from the port of Dampier, impacting 38 carriages.