Ansaldo STS, a Finmeccanica Company, through its subsidiary Ansaldo STS Australia, has been awarded a A$96m (€70 M) railway signalling and communications contract by Rio Tinto Iron Ore.

This is the first major contract to be awarded under the Framework Agreement established by Ansaldo STS and Rio Tinto Iron Ore on 25 November 2010, under which Ansaldo STS is to deliver a program of works over five years, to support Rio Tinto’s major expansion and operational efficiency projects in the Pilbara in Western Australia.

The value of the overall program of works to be undertaken by Ansaldo STS over the five year period is anticipated to be A$467m (€340 M).

The planned projects, to be performed on demand, include the introduction of Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Braking (ECP) and enhanced Signalling, Train Control and Communication Systems.

Ansaldo STS has been designing and delivering railway signalling and transportation solutions for Rio Tinto's operations in Western Australia since 1992.