FMG announces first ore processed at Iron Bridge Magnetite project

Fortescue Mining Group (FMG) has announced the first ore feed into the processing plant at its Iron Bridge Magnetite project in the Pilbara. With first production anticipated in the March 2023 quarter, Iron Bridge will see the world’s fourth largest iron ore miner deliver an enhanced product range and create 900 new jobs.

The company says it could become one of Fortescue’s first fossil-fuel-free sites, enabled by the recently announced US$6.2 billion decarbonisation investment to reach real zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.

Iron Bridge, located 145 km south of Port Hedland, will deliver 22 million tonnes per annum of high grade 67% Fe magnetite concentrate. This product enables Fortescue to enter the high iron ore grade market segment, providing an enhanced product range while also increasing annual production and shipping capacity.

Since the investment decision in April 2019, more than 12.8 million work hours have culminated in the design and construction of the mine, pipelines, village and infrastructure at Iron Bridge, supporting more than 3000 jobs with another 900 full-time jobs to be created when the project moves into operations. There are currently 3470 people working across the Ore Processing Facility (OPF) and pipelines scope of work.

“At Fortescue, we take pride in the fact that we consistently deliver what we say we will, and Iron Bridge is no different,” said CEO Andrew Forrest. “Building on our track record of safely and successfully developing and operating iron ore projects in the Pilbara, Iron Bridge will lead the way for magnetite operations in Western Australia.

“This project demonstrates Fortescue’s commitment to our strategic pillars of investing in the long-term sustainability of our iron ore business, investing in growth, maintaining balance sheet strength, as well as delivering strong returns to our shareholders.

“As we transition to a global green energy, technology and resources company, Iron Bridge is an obvious choice to be considered as one of our first decarbonised, fossil-fuel-free sites, as we deliver on our target to achieve real zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.”

The nature of the Iron Bridge ore bodies and Fortescue’s use of a dry crushing and grinding circuit together contribute to the project’s operational efficiency across energy, water use and cost, according to the company.

Low-cost power will be delivered to Iron Bridge through Fortescue’s investment in the Pilbara Energy Connect project, which includes energy transmission line infrastructure, solar gas hybrid generation and associated battery storage solution.

A total of $2.8 billion in goods and services have been sourced within Western Australia for the Iron Bridge project and operations. Commissioning of the OPF is progressing well onsite, and load commissioning commenced on the dry process in early October 2022.

A 220 km pipeline from Canning Basin is being installed to supply 20 GL per annum of raw water, and twin concentrate and return pipelines (both 135 km) are also under construction and on track, designed to transport concentrate material from the plant to Port Hedland, and return water back to the plant.

Image credit: © Fortescue Metals Group Ltd