Rio Tinto said development of its new Silvergrass mine and its West Angeles and Yandicoogina mines is expected to support over 1,000 construction jobs in Western Australia.

Silvergrass, which will be the company's 16th iron ore mine in Pilbara, will provide about 500 jobs during construction, while the development of a new deposit at West Angeles will require 120 people.

Development projects to sustain production at the Yandicoogina mine will involve 470 jobs during construction, the company said April 6.

Earlier in the week, Rio Tinto said it plans to dispute the amended tax assessments recently received from the Australian Commissioner of Taxation, which billed the miner A$447 million in additional tax and interest for the calendar years 2010 to 2013.