Onsite will provide the miner's Pilbara operations with ancillary and light mobile equipment (LME), as well as on-the-ground support from its offices in Karratha, Tom Price, Newman and Port Hedland, as well as Perth. The equipment will provide support to the mines' maintenance activities, and includes platforms, telehandlers, lighting towers and generators.

"Onsite is committed to employing local people and will provide ongoing training and development for their Pilbara-based employees," Rio Tinto Iron Ore managing director for supply chain services Ivan Vella said.

"Rio Tinto's procurement practices, and those of our contractors, play a significant role in the creation of sustainable and resilient communities, including job opportunities for local people, which ultimately benefits the communities where we operate."

Onsite managing director Mike Foureur said it is planning to increase local employment for the contract, especially for needed service technicians from Newman and Tom Price.

"Our relationship with Rio Tinto is long standing, and we are excited to build on this foundation, through a collaborative and cohesive partnership approach," he said.

The new deal has a value of approximately US$30 million.