Global conveyor components manufacturer PROK has been awarded a major contract for the design, manufacture and supply of conveyor pulleys at the Iron Bridge Magnetite project, a joint venture between Fortescue Metals Group subsidiary FMG Iron Bridge and Formosa Steel IB Pty. Ltd, near Port Hedland in Western Australia.
PROK will produce around 170 complete pulleys from its Bayswater production facility in Perth, Western Australia. The pulleys will be installed across 25 new conveyors at the Iron Bridge site.
PROK says it is an expert in conveyor equipment and specialises in solutions that help mining companies across the globe keep their conveyor systems running efficiently and safely.
PROK General Manager, Wade Guelfi, said the Iron Bridge contract award highlighted PROK’s high level of technical capability and manufacturing experience.
“As a recognised leader in large engineered pulleys, we were a perfect fit for this type of project,” he said. “Our advanced in-house engineering team worked closely with the client to design a pulley solution that meets all project requirements.”
The pulleys range in sizes from 500-1,200 mm diameter and will be delivered in six stages starting in January 2021, the company said.
The contract forms part of Stage 2 of the Iron Bridge project, which involves construction of a large-scale process plant and port infrastructure to support 22 Mt/y (wet) of magnetite production. Stage 1 (pictured), completed successfully, was achieved by building and operating a full-scale pilot plant at the North Star mine site. This pilot project included the use of a dry crushing and grinding circuit, which FMG plans to leverage in stage two.
In FMG’s March quarter results, released late last month, the company said the $2.6 billion project was progressing on schedule and budget, with first concentrate production planned in the first half of calendar year 2022.
“We are excited to be part of this project and proud to be supporting Fortescue with heavy-duty engineered pulleys manufactured right here in Western Australia,” Guelfi added. “We look forward to working closely with FMG as the project progresses.”