Rio Tinto automated iron ore train derails in Western Australia

An automated iron ore train operated by mining giant Rio Tinto has derailed after colliding with a set of stationary wagons in north-western Australia on Monday, the company said.

The incident occurred about 80 kilometres outside the West Australian town of Karratha, a Rio Tinto spokesperson said, adding that 22 wagons and three locomotives were impacted.

"There were no people within the vicinity of the incident and no injuries. We have notified the appropriate regulators and commenced an investigation.

Australia's Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) said a recovery train was reported to have collided with the ore train it was sent to retrieve after it was "disabled by a mechanical failure".

Rio operates a 2,000-kilometre rail network as part of its massive iron ore operations across the state, shipping iron ore from pit to port.

The latest incident is the second to hit the network this year. In February, one of its autonomous trains derailed about 120km from Dampier port, impacting 38 wagons.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com