On the back of the reliable performance of its first Metso twin cell, tandem train unloader commissioned in 2008, Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) awarded Metso a contract to supply two more identical machines. The installation of the new equipment represents a significant part of the company’s plans to expand its Herb Elliot Port facility in Port Hedland. The first of the two new machines (TUL2) was commissioned ahead of schedule in mid September.

Fortescue Director Development Peter Meurs said “the second train unloader takes our unloading capacity to 120 Mt/y which gives us the capacity to reach a run rate of 115 Mt/y by the end of the March 2013 quarter, comprised of 95 Mt/y from the Chichester mines and 20 Mt/y from Firetail. The third train unloader will give us the capacity, when market conditions allow, to complete the 40 Mt/y Kings project to take us to 155 Mt/y.”

The handover of the third machine was scheduled for mid November.