Tag Archives: Fiona Hick

Fortescue celebrates first shipment of Iron Bridge magnetite

Mine operation news, Mineral project development, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , ,

Fortescue’s first shipment from its newly built, majority-owned Iron Bridge operations, in Western Australia, will soon be on its way to Vietnam marking the first time the company has exported a high-grade magnetite product.

It follows first production earlier this year, which saw the plant surpass expectations with a first run grade of greater than 67% Fe.

Iron Bridge, Fortescue says, is a demonstration of the company’s pioneering innovation. It signifies the first time the company has produced a wet concentrate product, which is transported to Port Hedland through a 135 km specialist slurry pipeline where dewatering and materials handling occurs to create a high grade magnetite product.

Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Hick, joined Nyamal Traditional Custodians and representatives from Fortescue’s Iron Bridge Joint Venture partner, Formosa, in Port Hedland as the first shipment was loaded.

Hick said: “Today is a truly special day for Fortescue. Last week we celebrated 20 years since Fortescue was founded and, today, we celebrate our first shipment of high-grade magnetite product from our most complex and innovative project yet.

“Iron Bridge is a game changer for Fortescue and builds on our track record of safely and successfully developing and operating iron ore projects in the Pilbara.

“High grade magnetite product will play an important role in lowering emissions in the steel industry, and Fortescue is moving at pace to ensure we are at the forefront of developing green steel technologies.

“I congratulate the entire Fortescue team for delivering this project while maintaining strong safety performance. We remain focused now on achieving a safe and efficient ramp up.”

Iron Bridge is an Unincorporated Joint Venture between FMG Magnetite Pty Ltd (69%) and Formosa Steel IB Pty Ltd (31%).

At full capacity, Iron Bridge is expected to deliver 22 Mt/y of high grade 67% Fe magnetite concentrate.

Nyamal Holdings to help Fortescue with drill and blast program at Iron Bridge

Explosives and blasting, Mine operation news, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , ,

Fortescue has signed what it says is a major agreement with the Nyamal traditional custodians to provide mining equipment for the company’s Iron Bridge magnetite project, in Western Australia.

The A$18 million ($12.1 million) agreement, which builds on the A$331 million in contracts already awarded to Nyamal businesses since 2019, will see Nyamal Holdings initially provide five contour drill rigs, one stemming loader and two platform rigs to Fortescue. This will grow to include six additional platform rigs over the next two years to meet the Iron Bridge mine plan.

Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Hick, said: “The drill and blast program at Iron Bridge represents one of the most crucial aspects to achieving maximum throughput in the processing plant. We are pleased that we have been able to partner with Nyamal to deliver this important capability.

“From the outset, Fortescue has been focused on practical initiatives that drive economic and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians. Contracts like this support the growth of Indigenous businesses, enabling them to build capability which in turn provides ongoing economic benefits to communities.”

Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation Chair, Gavin Mitchell, said: “Nyamal Holdings are excited to secure this significant contract for the Nyamal people enabling us to own the fleet which will provide ongoing training and employment opportunities for Nyamal members.

“Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation have strong and ongoing engagement with Fortescue, and we are pleased that through this contract we are able to build on this longstanding relationship.”

The Iron Bridge magnetite project is an unincorporated joint venture between FMG Magnetite Pty Ltd (69%) and Formosa Steel IB Pty Ltd (31%). The joint venture partners are each responsible for their equity share of the total capital expenditure.

Fortescue reported production of the first wet concentrate at the Iron Bridge project back in April.

Iron Bridge is set to deliver 22 Mt/y of high grade 67% Fe magnetite concentrate, with the total project capital estimated at $3.9 billion, with Fortescue’s share approximately $3 billion.

First wet concentrate produced at Iron Bridge Magnetite Project

Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , ,

Fortescue Metals Group has reported that the first wet concentrate has been produced from the ore processing facility at the Iron Bridge Magnetite Project, ahead of being pumped to Port Hedland in Western Australia.

The company, which is the majority owner of Iron Bridge through its ownership in an unincorporated joint venture between FMG Magnetite Pty Ltd (69%) and Formosa Steel IB Pty Ltd (31%), fed first ore into the processing plant back in October.

After managing weather impacts on activity and infrastructure at the site, the company has now reached the wet concentrate milestone, Fortescue confirmed in its March quarter results, released today.

The concentrate was produced on April 22, 2023, ahead of being pumped to Port Hedland. Iron Bridge is set to deliver 22 Mt/y of high grade 67% Fe magnetite concentrate, with the total project capital estimated at $3.9 billion, with Fortescue’s share approximately $3 billion.

During the quarter, the project achieved key milestones, including:

  • Load commissioning of Crushing Circuit A, including the commissioning of the Coarse Ore Stockpile Stacker;
  • Completion of Dry Plant Circuit A and continued construction on Dry Plant Circuit B, together with continued commissioning activities in the Wet Plant;
  • Continued progress on the installation and testing of the concentrate and return water pipelines, with welding completed and pipelines buried;
  • Water testing was conducted on the Concentrate Handling Facility at Port Hedland ahead of first production.

Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Hick, said: “This is a significant milestone for Fortescue as Iron Bridge represents our entry into the highest grade segment of the iron ore market, providing an enhanced product range while also increasing production and shipping capacity. It demonstrates our strong track record of successfully delivering complex projects safely.”