Premier Mark McGowan today welcomed Rio Tinto's announcement of its intention to upgrade its bulk handling facilities at Dampier's East Intercourse Island, a project expected to create up to 150 jobs for Western Australians.

The upgrades include the manufacturing and installation of three replacement stackers, weighing a total of 1,860 tonnes, with most of the work taking place in Western Australia.

Rio Tinto advises that 97 per cent of the labour for the stackers would be sourced in WA, creating 150 local jobs including up to 30 jobs in the Pilbara.

The announcement follows Rio Tinto's new procurement policy, which provides more opportunities for Western Australian companies to tender for work on the company's projects, creating more jobs for WA workers. 

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"These upgrades will allow Rio Tinto to continue its work out of Dampier long into the future and, most importantly, will create many jobs for Western Australians.

"Rio Tinto's plan to undertake the majority of the manufacturing work for the three stackers in WA is great news for local workers.

"I'm also pleased that under Rio Tinto's procurement policy, Western Australian businesses will be first in line for site establishment work, quality assurance and engineering inspections.

"Upon being elected as Premier, I met with mining companies and indicated that I would like to see more job and training opportunities for Western Australians and the response to date has been encouraging.

"The McGowan Government will continue to implement its Plan for Jobs, which has a focus on creating more jobs on resources projects and more training for young Western Australians."