The engineering and construction group, as part of the Acciona Clough joint venture, will be working on part of the planned 170-kilometre rail spur at the greenfield development; it will connect the mine to the existing Rio Tinto iron ore rail network.

Specifically, Clough's scope of work includes 100km of rail formation earthworks, culverts, access roads, level crossings and bridge construction.

No financial details or timeline for the project were disclosed.

Rio Tinto has projected 43 million tonnes annually from Koodaideri and has committed millions to making it its Pilbara flagship. Once mined, ore will be transported to Dampier or Cape Lambert via the new rail infrastructure.

Clough CEO and managing director Peter Bennett said the contract will create more than 200 new jobs. It will also help Clough to grow its footprint in the iron ore developments of the Australian state.

Clough, which is marking its 100th year in 2019, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Murray & Roberts.