In its latest results, Pilbara iron ore major Fortescue Metals Group reports that the conversion to autonomous haulage (AHS) at Christmas Creek is progressing well with 32 mainly Caterpillar 793F, 789D and Komatsu 930E trucks converted by Caterpillar to use Cat^® Command for Hauling and now in operation. At Cloudbreak, the RCR Tomlinson 5 km relocatable conveyor has doubled throughput capacity through an additional semi mobile crushing station.

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines, said “The Fortescue team have delivered a strong start to FY19 with shipments of 40.2 Mt for the quarter, an increase in realised price to US$45/dmt through our optimised product strategy and C1 costs of US$13.19/wmt. Shipments of our 60.1% iron grade product, West Pilbara Fines (WPF) are scheduled to commence from December this year, further enhancing our product mix.”

“The Eliwana mine and rail development project is progressing and our innovation projects across the Chichesters, including the Christmas Creek autonomous haulage (AHS) fleet conversion and the Cloudbreak relocatable conveyor continue to contribute to our productivity and efficiency improvements.”