Rio Tinto (RIO) said late Monday it would invest 100 million Australian dollars ($71.7 million) to support the Western Australia Government's building of over 500 homes for frontline workers, under its Seven Cities Vision for the state.

The company said its financing will also provide new homes throughout its Pilbara operations for federal employees, adding that the investment is part of its AU$250 million plan to the Western Australian Government's Resources Community Investment Initiative.

The state government will lead the development of the new Pilbara homes under the Government Regional Officer Housing requirements to 2030, the miner said.