Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) continues to successfully implement its innovation projects with the relocatable conveyor at Cloudbreak coming online. A key productivity initiative, the 5-km conveyor includes a semi-mobile primary crushing station and feeds directly into the Cloudbreak ore processing facility. The relocatable conveyor and semi-mobile crushing facilities can be positioned approximate to pits and relocated once mined.

By providing greater flexibility and increased accessibility to remote mine pits, the relocatable conveyor will reduce haulage costs, offsetting rising strip ratios and delivering sustained efficiency improvements across the business.

Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines said Fortescue has a proud history of embracing technology and innovation. “The long and shallow nature of the orebody at the Chichester Hub presents unique challenges and opportunities. Since Fortescue first began operation with strip miners, the team has consistently brought new ideas and solutions to deliver the most from our ore bodies,” Ms Gaines said.

“In partnership with RCR Tomlinson, we have been able to adapt the relocatable conveyor technology frequently used in underground mining operations, allowing our team to respond to the requirements of the mine plan with greater flexibility. Together with the rollout of autonomous haulage technology (AHS) across the Chichester Hub, this innovative conveyor system will contribute to further productivity and efficiency improvements and maintain our cost leadership position.

“I would like to thank the entire Fortescue team for the safe and successful completion of the project.”