Mining at Nammuldi iron ore deposit in Central Pilbara approved
3/12/98
Development of Hamersley Iron's 600 million tonne Homestead iron ore project moved a step closer today when Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett approved mining at the Nammuldi deposit in the Central Pilbara.
The approval allows Hamersley Iron to proceed with the project's first stage, which will be the provision of bulk samples of Marra Mamba ore to customers for evaluation of its performance as a separate product.
"It will be the first time Hamersley Iron has marketed Marra Mamba ore as a stand alone product," Mr Barnett said.
"Previously Marra Mamba ore has been blended with Brockman ore."
Nammuldi, adjacent to the existing Brockman No 2 mine 50km north-west of Tom Price, contains an estimated 310Mt of iron ore at 62.8 per cent iron.
"Development of Nammuldi represents the beginning of a new phase for Western Australian iron ore," Mr Barnett said.
"Each of the big four iron ore companies - BHP, Robe River, Hope Downs, and Hamersley Iron - have large deposits of Marra Mamba ore in the Central Pilbara region currently under consideration.
"This ore type will play a very significant role in the long-term future of the industry."
Hamersley Iron is also undertaking a major upgrade of its Dampier port and rail infrastructure, in preparation for ore shipments from the $700 million Yandicoogina project currently under construction in the Central Pilbara. The mine is due to begin shipping ore early next year.
During 1997, Hamersley Iron shipped a record 61.8Mt of iron ore worth around $1 billion. Hamersley Iron is a wholly owned subsidiary of global resources group Rio Tinto.
Media contacts: Justine Whittome, Minister's office, (08) 9222 9699 Peter Eggleston, Hamersley Iron, (08) 9327 2173