The Fortescue story – from exploration to the third largest iron ore producer in Australia

Abstract

In late 2003 Fortescue Metals Group Ltd commenced exploration for iron ore in the Pilbara region of WA using a new exploration model. This paper describes the steps from exploration discovery in 2004 of the Cloudbreak and Christmas Creek deposits to the rapid establishment of an integrated iron mining, processing and infrastructure project by 15 May 2008, when the first shipment of iron ore departed for China. Production from the Cloudbreak and Christmas Creek mine in the 12 months to 30 June 2010 resulted in total shipments of 38·9 million wet metric tonnes with a grade of 58·8%Fe (64·0%Fe calcined), 4·6%SiO₂, 2·06%Al₂O₃ and 0·052%P. The project success depended on many technical breakthroughs including a new exploration model, application of the surface miner as the main mining production unit, a processing flowsheet for upgrading of 2·4%Al₂O₃ run-of-mine to 1·9%Al₂O₃ in product, design of a new fine ore product, 40 t axle loads for the heavy haul railway and a high capacity highly automated port facility.

Keywords

IRON ORE CLOUDBREAK CHRISTMAS CREEK PILBARA

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