Mining firm Rio Tinto has finally opened its high-tech operations center in Perth today that would remotely control and maneuver the mining giant's network of mines, rail systems, infrastructure facilities, and its port operations in Western Australia's Pilbara.

The operations center was officially launched on Friday by Western Australia Premier Colin Barntess, after constructing it for six months.

“The operations center features 200 controllers and schedulers and more than 230 technical planning and support staff, using cutting-edge networks that ensure all Pilbara operations up to 1,500 kilometers away are not only controlled from Perth, but can be performed with the maximum effeciency,” a Rio Tinto official said in a statement today.

Sam Walsh, chief executive of Rio Tinto Australia and Iron Ore head, said the operations center will permit the company to operate its Pilbara iron ore operations above nameplate capacity.

He also said that Rio Tinto is the first company worldwide to venture into this high-tech operations for iron ore.

“There is no one mining operation anywhere in the world attempting this on this scale,” Mr. Walsh said.

He said the technology will provide a safer, working environment for their employees.

Rio Tinto is an Australian-based miner that fines, mines, and processes the earth's mineral resources.