OREANDA-NEWS. Mitsui & Co., Ltd., through Robe River JV (Rio Tinto 53%, Mitsui 33%, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation 14%), has completed the first phase expansion at Cape Lambert which will bring its iron ore export capacity from 86 million tons to 139 million tons per year. The ramp-up schedule is on track to reach a full run-rate in the first half of calendar year 2014.

Phase two expansion at Cape Lambert to 209 million tons per year is underway.

Mitsui will work to increase the iron ore supply through the Robe River J/V in response to the expected increase in global demand over the medium to long term.