The contract includes the building construction and equipment supply for the robotic sample preparation and analysis laboratory.

Once in production in 2021, Koodaideri Phase 1 will have an annual capacity of 43Mt/y, with a requirement to process 600 pit samples and 24 production samples every 24 hours.

According to Scott Technology, the project leverages recent advancements in automation and digitisation, helping to deliver a safer and more productive mining operation. There is no requirement for manual handling, which eliminates health and safety challenges from lifting, fatigue and dust exposure, and real time data feedback and continuous tracking enable condition and performance monitoring.

Once completed, the Koodaideri laboratory will be one of the safest, most productive and highest quality iron ore facilities in the world.

After celebrating the 50-year anniversary of its Rocklabs division in 2019, Scott Technology believes that this project highlights the company's evolution in the mining sector from a supplier of sample preparation equipment to a complete end-to-end automation and analysis solution provider.

Scott is currently working with multiple global mining companies on large scale automation projects, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. In recent years, the company has implemented solutions in the mining sector such as robotic refuel, robotic idler change, sampling systems and automated sample preparation facilities.

John Kippenberger, CEO of Scott Technologies, said: "Scott is looking forward to partnering with Rio Tinto on this innovative project that, once complete, will set the new benchmark for safety and operational excellence in iron ore sample preparation and analysis. The Koodaideri iron ore laboratory underpins growth in our West Australian workforce and will also provide significant opportunities for sub-contractor local participation."

The project will be undertaken across multiple Scott manufacturing sites and is scheduled to be installed by mid-2021.