JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed iron-ore producer Atlas Iron on Thursday reported that it was in discussions with potential partners regarding the development of its two-billion ton Ridley magnetite deposit, in the Pardoo iron-ore project, in Western Australia.

In a response to a stock exchange query, the company reported that it had received “strong interest from capable organisations”, and added that discussions were advancing well.

Atlas is currently exporting iron-ore from its Pardoo project, and is also rapidly advancing the development of its second iron-ore mine at Wodgina.

The iron-ore producer noted that it had also received strong interest from steel mills seeking to acquire off-take agreements for the iron-ore expected from Wodgina.

“Atlas notes that the market for iron-ore is very strong, reflected in the spot price, and that the strength of demand is reflected in Atlas’ discussions,” the company said in a statement.

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