HanRoy Iron Ore Projects Pty Ltd has completed an important milestone with the official turning of first soil for our newest iron ore mine, McPhee Creek, in the Pilbara of Western Australia.
Executive Chairman, Mrs Rinehart, HanRoy CEO, Sanjiv Manchanda, and staff from Roy Hill, HanRoy and Atlas were on site for a special sod-turning ceremony.
Once operational, ore from McPhee Creek will be transported to and processed at Roy Hill where it can be blended to improve product mix and sustain Roy Hill’s production volumes, extending the life of mine for our fantastic employees and adding to the billions of dollars in royalties and taxes paid to Australian governments, the company says.
HanRoy is part of Hancock Prospecting, with the McPhee Creek iron ore project located some 100 km north of Roy Hill Mine and 30 km north of Nullagine. McPhee Creek has an expected production rate of approximately 9.5-9.7 Mt/y (wet). Primary crushed ore will be hauled via road train from McPhee Creek to Roy Hill for processing, transport to the port and shipping.
Rinehart paid tribute to all the hardworking teams who delivered the project in the face of lengthy delays caused by bureaucratic regulations and government tape.
“Our teams remained focussed and determined as they tackled the countless government permits, hurdles, and unnecessary tape to secure approval,” she said. “Big congratulations to Sanjiv who 10 years ago led development of our mega Roy mine and has delivered another crucial project for our business, while contending with growing regulatory burdens and obstacles. Quite strange to have such onerous burdens, when McPhee is using infrastructure in existence, such as preparation plant, rail, road and port.
“Not only will McPhee help us remain a trusted and reliable supplier of iron ore in the global market, but its development will also ensure ongoing jobs and opportunities for our fantastic staff and the many local, small and large businesses our operations support, and the continuation of billions of dollars in revenue to governments through taxes and royalties, etc. Revenue which funds jobs and living standards, plus services and infrastructure that assist Australians.”
Manchanda said taking McPhee Creek from concept to groundbreaking had involved dedicated effort and determined work.
“The McPhee mine was a part of the acquisition of Atlas in 2018 by Hancock Prospecting,” he said. “Feasibility studies were commenced in early 2019 and the Atlas Board approved the project in 2021.
“Almost four years later, having experienced the introduction and subsequent withdrawal of the ACH bill, introduction of draft Pilbara regional guidelines under proposed nature positive legislation and once again its subsequent withdrawal, here we are finally marking the commencement of development of this mine by HanRoy for and on behalf of Atlas and Roy Hill. This mine will contribute hundreds of millions of dollars in various forms of state and federal taxes duties and royalties and benefits to the people who live in this area.
“This could easily have been billions instead of millions, if we had the opportunity and the approvals to have the mine in production in 2021/2022 when the iron ore price was more than $200 per tonne and not $100 per tonne.”
A critical part of the McPhee Creek project is HanRoy’s unique partnership with the state government to upgrade 92 km of Marble Bar Road to a two-lane, sealed road which will improve road safety and connectivity for emergency services and people living in Newman and Marble Bar. This road is being upgraded as part of a project with Decmil.