Premier applauds FMG's historic first shipment of iron ore

Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter today witnessed the first shipment of ore from Fortescue Metals Group's Cloud Break mine, cementing the group as a major new force in the State's iron ore industry.

Mr Carpenter welcomed the new iron ore and infrastructure project in Port Hedland and said the positive outcomes of the project for WA were immense.

"FMG's Cloud Break mine, railway and port development is a home grown iron ore project that is WA-focused," the Premier said.

"This project marks some impressive firsts for the State; the first time a third party railway has been included in a Pilbara iron ore project and the first time in WA that port facilities will be run under a third party access regime.

"It is also the first time that surface mining technology has been used in the North-West industry, enabling efficient extraction and blending of the ore."

The project was first presented to the State Government in late 2003 and has gone from conception to operation in record time.

"The speed of this project is testament to the drive and determination of Andrew Forrest and his team, and is also a great demonstration of WA's approvals process," Mr Carpenter said.

"For FMG's mine and the associated railway and port facilities to go from the first drill holes at Cloud Break to operation within three-and-a-half years is a momentous achievement."

The Premier applauded all State Government agencies involved in the Cloudbreak approvals process, particularly the project facilitators at the departments of Industry and Resources and Planning and Infrastructure.

"There is great demand for Government attention in WA, with more than $100billion worth of projects under way or under construction," he said.

"Given this huge demand, the outcomes produced by the Government agencies show the dedication, hard work and commitment that we are fortunate to possess in the public sector."

The Premier said he was pleased that the Pilbara community would reap benefits from this project, with FMG intending to house all 250 permanent port and rail workers in Port Hedland, as well as provide a vocational training program.

The training program is open to the local indigenous community and every indigenous person who completes the program will be guaranteed a job with FMG.

"It is great to see local communities benefiting from the mining industry that exists in their backyard," Mr Carpenter said.