AUSTRALIA: Rio Tinto Iron Ore has placed its first A$96m firm order for signalling and communications equipment under a five-year framework agreement with Ansaldo STS, the signalling supplier announced on April 7.

Ansaldo STS anticipates that the total value of works under the five-year framework agreed in November 2010 will be A$467m. The scope includes introduction of Electronically Controlled Pneumatic braking, as well as modernisation of signalling, train control and communications to support expansion and operational efficiency projects on Rio Tinto's Pilbara heavy haul rail network.