PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Iron-ore major Fortescue Metals on Friday said it was on track for first ore on train at its Eliwana mine, in the Pilbara, in December this year, as the company firmed up its reserve and mineral resource estimates.
“We are pleased to report over 2.2-billion tonnes of hematite ore reserves and 5.8-billion tonnes of mineral resource at our operating properties, supporting the sustainability of our core iron-ore assets across our Solomon and Chichester Hubs, as well as our developing Western Hub,” said CEO Elizabeth Gaines.
“Our investment in significant growth projects, including the Eliwana mine and rail project in the Western Hub, is now well advanced with first ore on train scheduled from December 2020. Our Iron Bridge magnetite project is developing Australia’s largest publicly disclosed magnetite mineral resource, with first ore on ship planned for the first half of calendar year 2022.”
The A$1.3-billion Eliwana consists of a new 30-million-tonne-a-year dry ore processing facility and infrastructure and a 143-km rail line.
A$2.6-billion Iron Bridge is expected to produce 22-million tonnes a year once in full operation, producing a 67% iron content product, suitable for pellet feed or blending with sinter fines.
Fortescue meanwhile reported a 102-million-tonne increase in the mineral resource estimate at the Greater Solomon Hub, with the resource estimate now standing at 2.6-billion tonnes.
Less significant increases were also reported at the Greater Western Hub and the Nyidinghu development properties.
“It is pleasing to see the continued growth in mineral resources out of our development properties. With the increase in mineral resources at the Greater Solomon, Greater Western Hub and Nyidinghu, our total development mineral resource now exceeds eight-billion tonnes,” Gaines said.