Man charged with WA mine site murder

A FIFO worker has been charged over the death of a colleague at a mine site in Western Australia's north.

Police were called to Pilbara Minerals' Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project about 120km south of Port Hedland about 6.30am on Monday after the 40-year-old victim from Marble Bar was found deceased.

Homicide Squad detectives questioned his 30-year-old co-worker, who is from the Perth suburb of Craigie, and charged him on Tuesday.

The man will face South Hedland Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Pilbara Minerals issued a statement saying the "tragic incident ... involved contractor personnel ... and not direct employees".

"Pilbara Minerals will continue to provide full support to the Western Australia Police Force as their investigation progresses and is unable to provide any further comment," it said.

Managing director Ken Brinsden said on Monday he was extremely shocked and saddened by what had occurred, and offered condolences "to the affected people and their families".

The Australian stock exchange-listed company suspended work to facilitate the investigation and has now been cleared to resume operations.

Pilbara Minerals says it expects to return to planned production rates within the next 24 to 48 hours.

It curbed production and processing during the September quarter due to weak demand.