Eliwana is one of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG)’s newest mines and commenced operations in December 2020 and it includes a 30 Mt/y dry OPF and 143 km of rail linking the mine to the Hamersley rail line. Together with Eliwana’s innovative low profile designed OPF and dual stacker reclaimer, Eliwana has the capacity to direct load onto trains up to 9,000 t/h.
The mine is now gearing up for autonomous haulage and contracts are being put in place to facilitate that. SRG Global Ltd has secured a mine site infrastructure contract for ~A$55 million with Fortescue. The project involves the construction of a 21 km haul road at the existing Eliwana mine site which will be used for an autonomous mining truck fleet. The contract was expected to commence in March 2023 with a duration of approximately nine months.
David Macgeorge, SRG Managing Director, commented: “We are pleased to extend our longstanding relationship with Fortescue and look forward to delivering these works for Fortescue in addition to the asset maintenance works we are performing across a number of Fortescue’s site locations. SRG Global’s success in expanding our service offering to existing clients positions us well for long-term sustainable growth as we continue to convert our strong pipeline of opportunities.”
In terms of the equipment fleet, there has been a phased transition. Downer EDI Ltd announced in May 2020 that it had won a five year Early Mining and Maintenance Services contract at Eliwana, which was the second Eliwana project package to be executed by Downer, the first being the Bulk Earthworks contract which commenced in late 2019. The 2020 agreement was valued at approximately A$450 million and included completion of early works operations over two years as the mine site is established. After this initial two-year term, the operations would transition to a Fortescue owned and operated autonomous mining fleet, with the contractor remaining at the mine site and providing maintenance services for a further three years.
Downer’s ‘Mining West’ business was then bought by MACA in December 2020, which included Downer’s WA fleet of 126 items of large scale plant and equipment and involvement in four contracts which along with Eliwana included CITIC Pacific’s Sino Iron (contract then extended by three years in March 2021); Ansteel’s Karara (contract passed to NRW in 2022); and Gold Road Resources’ Gruyere.
Thiess then completed its acquisition of MACA in October 2022. However, the progression of the five year plan continues as originally outlined. David Greig, MACA CEO, told IM: “The contract extension was executed. Fortescue will operate the autonomous fleet as planned from the outset. Thiess will continue to support the project as contemplated under the original terms with the MACA team as well as offer broader services with our valued client at Iron Bridge and beyond.”
Earlier in 2022, Thiess for its part was appointed mining services provider for FMG’s new Iron Bridge Project in Western Australia. Under the initial three-year contract, Thiess will deliver mining and maintenance services and asset management services, working with Fortescue and other external stakeholders at this showcase mining operation.